At the Jan. 25 meeting, the commission removed the zoning requirement for residential spaces as part of the 2.6-acre property. The ordinance was previously approved in March 2020 before the developer withdrew the request during the pandemic.
The microbrewery is planned to be located along Elm Street between First and Second streets within The Rail District.
Plans include a 12,000-square-foot brewery with an attached 4,000-square-foot restaurant, according to the presented designs. There would also be a 30,000-square-foot office building and a 210-space parking garage.
A past study by Visit Frisco brought up during public comment portion of the meeting noted that a local brewery has been a desire for Frisco residents for several years.
Concerns brought up by the board were mainly relating to parking in the area. Some nearby houses in The Rail District do not have parking garages and are required to park on the street. Lydia Colmenero who lives at Elm and Second streets said she is worried that the presence of a restaurant will increase traffic and reduce her parking ability. Commission Chairman Rob Cox said he understood these concerns, but said that he believes that the project's parking garage will help alleviate that issue.
The ordinance was unanimously accepted by the commission and will be presented to City Council at its Feb. 15 meeting.
Donny Churchman, president and CEO of Nack Development, said last year he anticipates construction to begin by summer 2022 and the full opening of Ritchey Gin by the end of 2023.
Editor's note: The original post has been edited to correct the project's square footage. It will have a 12,000-square-foot brewery with an attached 4,000-square-foot restaurant, according to the presented designs. There would also be a 30,000-square-foot office building and a 210-space parking garage.
