JAMES CITY COUNTY — James City County (JCC) Board of Supervisors approved the 1826 Jamestown Road and 259 Sandy Bay Road rezoning to open Frothy Moon Brewhouse on the property.
The board unanimously approved the 5,000 square foot proposed brewery at its Tuesday, Sept. 14’s meeting.
A microbrewery/taproom/coffee shop with outdoor seating, Frothy Moon Brewhouse will sit at the former location of Cooke’s Greenhouse and Garden Center, which closed in 2018, leaving the property vacant since.
Approximately half of the building will serve as a production area and the other half a coffee shop, taproom and retail area.
Beer will be produced for onsite sales and consumption, with coffee provided by Aroma’s and local food tricks providing food service.
Back in August, Vernon Geddy, legal representative for Frothy Moon Brewhouse owner Conor Halfpenny, proposed that the 3.4 acres site be rezoned from General Business and Limited Business to General Business with Proffers.
The planning commission approved the rezoning.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Board supervisors and members of the pubic raised concerns about noise and parking.
With plans for live music at the brewery, some were concerned that noise could interfere with resident homes near the location.
JCC Senior Planner Tori Haynes told the board that there are buffers established to reduce noise.
Geddy said that the owners included a Proffer that would have amplified noise and live music directed away from Sandy Bay Road.
Concerns were also brought up about parking and safety issues that would affect nearby citizens and parks.
Board Supervisor Michael Hipple expressed that if the brewery grows down the road, this could lead to overflow parking and parking on the roads.
Geddy said that the brewery owners would be happy to work with the County on whatever is needed to address the issue if there was any growth or changes.
The board subsequently approved the proposed rezoning.
