The owners of Legacy Ale Works LLC seek zoning approval to open a craft brewery and 100-seat taproom at The Shoppes at Durbin Crossing.
Legacy Ale Works owners Matthew and Elizabeth Jacobs submitted an application for a zoning exception to allow retail sales and the outdoor sale and service of beer and wine for on and off premises consumption at 14965 Old St. Augustine Road at Philips Highway.
Agent Jack Shad with Windmill Consulting applied for an exception based on the current planned unit development zoning.
The current zoning allows light manufacturing in conjunction with a retail sales or service establishment.
The city’s Current Planning Division determined that brewing is considered food manufacturing and not light manufacturing, so rezoning is required to allow the proposed use.
That could delay or deny approval for the project.
The couple has been serving their brewed products at festivals and other events to gather information from consumers to create “drinkable beers.”
Liz Jacobs said her husband, who works in the IT field, started brewing beer as a hobby eight years ago and uses his analytical skills to study aspects of brewing such as yeast management and water quality.
The hobby is turning into a profession as a brewer.
She plans to manage the operations and marketing side of the business.
Jacobs said beer taste is subjective, although they try to follow the beer “guide book” of styles for attributes such as aroma, taste, appearance and alcohol content.