Whitley County BZA renews brewery’s special exception with noise, waste and operation conditions

The Whitley County Board of Zoning Appeals voted Dec. 23 to reapprove a special exception for the brewing operation at 8324 West State Road 14, allowing continued processing of agricultural products not produced on‑site. The approval included seven staff‑recommended conditions addressing refuse screening, a 50‑decibel noise limit at adjacent residences, health‑department compliance, hours for brewing operations, and maintenance of an 8‑foot privacy fence.

Staff reviewed the case history: an initial 2022 special‑exception approval, a 2024 rezoning to Village Commercial and a 2024 amendment attempt. Planning staff said many earlier taproom‑specific conditions were superseded by the rezoning but recommended a set of conditions focused on brewery impacts such as parking, noise and enclosure of waste containers. Attorney Jackson Beck and petitioner Jason Esterline described the operation as a small, farm‑oriented brewery producing roughly five to seven barrels per month in recent years and using 400–800 pounds of grain monthly for off‑site inputs; deliveries are small and infrequent.

Several residents and business supporters urged approval. Matthew Staton and Paul Scheffler described the taproom as a community hub and economic multiplier for South Whitley. Board members asked specifically about wastewater from cooling operations; Esterline explained the cooling water is clean well water and said, “That is literally just water,” and added that the operation can route liquids to a holding tank if required by health authorities.

After discussion, the board approved the special exception with conditions 1–7 as presented by staff. The vote was 4‑1 in favor.