Zoning board approves variance to convert former church into microbrewery with parking conditions

The Bay City Zoning Board of Appeals approved a use variance (case Z25-7) on Dec. 18 allowing a microbrewery and restaurant to operate in a former church building, with conditions requiring documentation of overflow parking, a prohibition on operations past 11 p.m., and provision for bike racks.

The applicant, Zeke Carline, told the board the 150-year-old church "is a good place for a brewery" and that the adaptive reuse would preserve the building and serve the neighborhood. Carline said the venue would seat about 125 people, operate primarily as a restaurant with beer production on site, and occasionally host small bands. "No rock concerts," he said, and added that proposed hours are 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends with rare…