PENN TWP — Although nervous neighbors of a proposed new taproom tried to dissuade township zoning hearing board members, the property owner received approval to continue the nonconforming use status of the site's previous business.

The zoning board held a public hearing Wednesday evening to collect the opinions of residents on the potential for Helltown Brewing to set up a taproom in the largest garage on the site of a former asphalt plant at the intersection of Airport Road and Fairway Lane.

Attorney Joe Perotti, representing property owner Dickson Forbes, told the board Helltown Brewing has four locations in the Pittsburgh region.

He said those locations are not open late, and many customers take their children to the taprooms or ride their bicycles to grab a beer.

“Helltown provides a family-friendly establishment,” Perotti said.

He said Helltown Brewing would sell its craft beer, which would be brewed in two locations and transported to the Penn Township taproom.

No food will be prepared at the site, and liquor would not be served.

Perotti argued that a taproom would be a most-appropriate use of the land because it would maintain the value of the property and conform in the area because other nearby establishments serve alcohol.

Forbes told the board Helltown taprooms have cornhole games, board games for children, would not be open past midnight, and that strollers often can be seen at his other locations.

“All (Helltown) taprooms have a rural feel,” Forbes said. “It's a low-key thing.”

He said the taproom would be less impactful to neighbors than the nearby Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport, Succop Nature Park or Butler Country Club.

Arnold Burchianti, co-owner of Helltown Brewing, said his hometown, Mount Pleasant in Westmoreland County, was called “Helltown” during the Whiskey Rebellion.

He said a postmaster with a sense of humor even gave Mount Pleasant the ZIP code 15666.

“We are not devil followers,” Burchianti said. “We are not rowdy. It's named for Mount Pleasant.”

But neighbors were not assuaged by the men's presentation and gave many reasons for opposing the taproom.

Maria Kletzli, who lives behind Forbes' property, listed her concerns as increased noise, danger caused by traffic and customers driving under the influence, increased chances of accidents at the intersection of Route 8 and Airport Road, lower property values if the business becomes a nuisance bar, an increased possibility of fire from errant cigarette butts, and an increased chance of vandalism by patrons “with lowered inhibitions.”

“With a name like Helltown Brewing, whether it's a nice place or not, it's going to affect our privacy and security,” Kletzli said. “I implore you not to grant the variance.”

Dick Walker, a neighbor of the property and lifelong township resident, said a lot of residents walk Fairway Lane because it is safe.

“Is this brewing company something we can be proud of? Will it benefit all the people in the community and add value to our properties? I don't think so,” Walker said.

Erin Dargo, another neighbor of the property, said there is no way to predict the type of clientele the taproom will draw, despite the owners' contentions.

“I don't live here to ride a bike to a brewery or take children to a brewery,” Dargo said.

She also decried locating a taproom across Airport Road from Penn Christian Academy.

“As if we don't have enough fears about sending our kids to school,” Dargo said.

William Craven, a neighbor of the property, said whether the entrance to the taproom was placed off Airport Road or Fairway Lane, it would be unsafe.

“This is a safety issue in our streets,” he said.

Craven said just because the nonconforming use fits the zoning does not mean board members are required to approve it.

But other residents voiced their approval of the taproom, including neighbor Ken McDonald.

“I'm in favor of the development of the community,” he said. “It's someplace different we can go and share a beverage together and enjoy each other.”

McDonald said while he respects the concerns of his neighbors, he has patronized several taprooms and did not find them to be rowdy establishments.

Greg Moorhead, who lives in the immediate area, said he and his wife have taken their young daughter to a taproom to get dinner from a food truck while the couple enjoyed a beer and did not find the establishment an inappropriate venue for their child.

“That's not what a taproom is,” Moorhead said. “In two years as a bartender (at a taproom), I have never had to cut someone off or tell them they have to leave.”

After a brief executive session with Matt Marshall, the zoning board solicitor, board members Greg Ramsey and Eric Mockenhaupt voted to continue the nonconforming use.

Board member Carl Leicher was absent on Wednesday night.