Cordova Planning Commission recommends leasing 101 square feet of city land to Copper Brewing

Copper Brewing moved a step closer to expanding its operation Monday after the Cordova Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the City Council lease about 101 square feet of city land to the brewery.

The parcel is a portion of Lot 11, Block 7, in the original townsite. The commission's motion asks the council to redesignate that piece from "not available" to "available" on the city's land disposal maps, then negotiate an agreement with the brewery. Copper Brewing submitted a letter of interest to lease or purchase the ground.

The commissioner who made the motion said city staff and the planner met with Copper Brewing and reviewed how an additional tank and related infrastructure would fit in the space. He said the review found no impact on the alleyway where freight is delivered to the grocery store.

Commissioner Mark Hall said city departments walked the site with the applicant. "They had Public Works Director, the Streets Division Supervisor, and refuse out there, and also AML," Hall said. "So 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." Hall said snow removal would not be affected either.

Because the brewery is asking for a lease rather than a purchase, the city planner told commissioners no subdivision and no survey are required. That shortens the timeline.

Correspondence for the meeting included one letter of support. No one spoke against the request. Hall said putting the arrangement on record makes the use of the space clear.

The recommendation now goes to the Cordova City Council, which decides whether to redesignate the land and negotiate the lease.