Cory King’s plan to convert an empty lot on Hazel Avenue into a parking lot for his brewery, Side Project, was rejected by the Hazel Ave. neighbors in a city meeting, and King subsequently, in the meeting pulled the project.
He has now revised the plan, making the parking lot portion of the lot only about a third of the total lot. The remainder would be a “proposed wood framed 2 story 1.082 SF per floor.”
The city council will hold a public hearing on the proposal at the Nov. 12 city council meeting.
Update: All but one of the members of the planning and zoning commission voted to approve the plan, according to a resident who attended the meeting.
Update (11/12): Following a discussion among city council members, the council held the the first two votes, approving the plan unanimously. The final vote will be held at the December council meeting.
The council members were concerned about the sufficiency of the buffer zone between the six parking spots and the house to be built as well as the existing home to the east of the lot. The brewery owner, Cory King, was willing to do what will be needed. Part of the buffer will be an 8-foot high wooden fence. When open (every night but Tuesday) the brewery closes at 8 p.m.
King said two residents of the street (Hazel Avenue) have already approached him about wanting to build a house on the lot. He said he would sell that part of the property to the owner of the new home.
The moral core is fading in many aspects of society: acquired money can change the perspective of most individuals. I thought I was buying a Chevy, but when I needed repairs from the mechanic, I was informed my car was a Cherry made in China. I looked exactly like a Chevy. Guess the rules changed when I was tying my shoes. Why do we have zoning? It is just my dirt; I should be able to put on my dirt whatever I want. If anyone travels to China leave your laptop at home. They have no morals.
This is good for Maplewood. Appreciate seeing the compromise.
Strip Bars would be good for Maplewood, too.
We are lucky to have Side Project in Maplewood and glad there was a way forward.
This is a very clever maneuver. When the citizens have made it clear, they oppose. If this clever design is approved, the neighborhood will be duped by a dark influence.
Truthfully, residential property owners’ voices have been silenced by commercial business ownership. And who speaks for the homeowners? They have been taken advantage of by not having an organization of Homeowners. I could not see this happening in more affluent cities. Maplewood “Fast and Loose.” It is what it is! So ironic, That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot – Joni Mitchell