North Providence Town Council lifts zoning ordinance prohibiting brewing
An ordinance prohibiting breweries in North Providence has been repealed, after being in place for almost 50 years. This change was one of sixteen zoning changes made by the North Providence Town Council at last night’s meeting. The ordinance was passed in the 1960s to prevent large...
An ordinance prohibiting breweries in North Providence has been repealed, after being in place for almost 50 years. This change was one of sixteen zoning changes made by the North Providence Town Council at last night’s meeting. The ordinance was passed in the 1960s to prevent large brewing companies from opening factories whose waste and smell would affect nearby residential areas. Today, brewing occurs on such a small-scale that this is no longer an issue.
The Council unanimously voted to amend the ordinance in response to a proposal by Providence Brewing Company founder Efren Hidalgo, who plans to expand the business from his garage to a building on Mineral Spring Avenue. Vice President of the Town Council Mansuet Giusti said the ordinance change will expand the town’s tax base and pave the way for future business.
“I think it’s going to be a boom for the town. I think it’s going to help the town’s economy, and I’m glad we did it,” said Giusti.
With the popularity of microbreweries nationwide, there is a potential for a new industry to emerge along Mineral Spring Avenue. The road extends into Pawtucket, where several other microbreweries are currently located.
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