[mba] Stone Saloon Zoning Committee Meeting

Brewers & beer enthusiasts: Wednesday evening, I received a call to action from the Architect of the proposed brewery & taproom, The Stone Saloon (http://www.stonesaloon.com) at 445 Smith in St Paul (just across the back alley from the new Bad Weather Brewing Co.) On August 13th, The Stone Saloon received a unanimous vote of support from the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) for St Paul's first Historic Use Variance -- which basically states that if a structure is classified as an historic property, it may apply for a variance in the zoning code to return it to its historic use. There is documented evidence the premises were used as a German Lager House in at least the late 1850's, and possibly later. The current owners have been meticulously restoring the Stone Saloon (see the images at the website) for use as a taproom, while a new building will be erected behind it to house the brewery, administration, kitchen & restrooms. They intend on serving Civil War era German/American lagers, fermented and aged in horizontal tanks. It will be a really unique, and wonderful experience to have a beer here... ...but they need your help to make it happen. While they passed the HPC with flying colors, a couple outspoken neighbors have raised unfounded objections -- remember, the Bad Weather is directly across the alley. The St Paul Zoning Committee is meeting Thursday, 27-Aug-2015, at 3:30p to discuss the HPC recommendation and listen to those for and against the project. I know it's short notice, and not a great time to be driving to downtown St Paul, but if you can make it, I know the Stone Saloon proprietors would really appreciate it. Thanks for helping to change the local beer scene for the better. Thursday, 27-Aug-2015, 3:30p-??? St Paul Zoning Committee City Hall, room 300 15 W Kellogg Blvd St Paul, MN 55102 (Enter from the 4th street side) Andrew