Cordova clears the way for Copper Brewing's 101-square-foot expansion

Copper Brewing wants to grow, and it needs exactly 101 square feet of Cordova to do it. The city's planning commission voted unanimously Monday to recommend leasing the brewery a sliver of city land — smaller than a parking space — for an additional tank and its supporting infrastructure.

Before saying yes, the town gave the little parcel a full inspection. City staff walked the site with the brewery — the public works director, the streets supervisor, refuse collection — and concluded the tank won't crowd the alley where the grocery store takes its freight deliveries, and won't get in the way of snow removal. "They all met with the applicant and they were able to come to the conclusion that it's not going to affect anything where the location is proposed," Commissioner Mark Hall said.

Because the brewery wants to lease rather than buy, no survey or subdivision is required, shortening the timeline. The meeting drew one letter of support and no opposition.

The recommendation now goes to the Cordova City Council, which decides whether to make the parcel available and negotiate the lease.