EASTHAMPTON - A combination hops farm and brewery proposed for Fort Hill Road is one step closer to being built after the plans were approved by the Planning Board Tuesday night.

It is the first time the board has OK'd a brewery, according to City Planner Stuart Beckley.

Eric Berzins, 25, of Bridgewater Corners, Vt., is the prospective buyer of a three-acre property at 20 Fort Hill Road where he hopes to build a microbrewery and plant hops. Berzins said he chose Easthampton as the ideal site for his brewery after spending three years searching.

"I chose Easthampton because the water quality from the Barnes aquifer is good," he said. "I used Easthampton water a number of times in my home brewing and it had a great taste."

According to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Fort Hill Farm and Brewery would be among the first in the state to grow hops on site. Most breweries import hops - which give beer its distinctive bitter taste - from Oregon and Germany, Berzins said.

"My main motivation to grow hops on site is because I want to create a brewery with fresh hop beer," he said. Beer brewed with fresh hops has a "more piney" flavor than other beers, which are usually brewed using dried hops, Berzins said.

Berzins said he has been brewing beer on his stove in five-gallon batches since he was in college and thinks he has the knowledge to create niche beers.

"I want to focus more on lagers," he said. "They're more difficult to brew and require more time, but I don't think the U.S. needs another pale ale."

A 2010 study conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the Vermont Agency for Agriculture found that New England has suitable climate and conditions to support the growth of hops and demand from local brewers makes it economically feasible. In the 1900s, the majority of the U.S. hops crop was grown in the region until disease and competition caused the industry to migrate to the Northwestern states, according to Massachusetts officials.

Berzins said he hopes to contract with local farmers to grow additional hops for the brewery, and one farmer has expressed interest already.

In his application to the Planning Board, Berzins said the brewery also would benefit the city by employing local people, purchasing water from the city and paying taxes. His proposal states that he would hire five full-time employees when the brewery opens, and may also hire agricultural workers and additional personnel to work on marketing and distribution.

The design of the 9,000-square-foot brewery building resembles a red barn, which Berzins said fits in with the agricultural theme of the business. Before approving his proposal, the Planning Board asked him to change the location of the business's parking lot and added the condition that he remove trees only for the access road.

"I think it's a really exciting project," Beckley said. "It combines agriculture with industry and the design really fits the area well."

The Planning Board discussed the fact that currently there are no water or sewer lines on Fort Hill Road, but were satisfied the issue would be resolved. Berzins has been meeting with the Department of Public Works to talk about extending the water and sewer lines. Beckley said Berzins may be asked to pay for some or all of the installation of those lines.

The property, which is zoned industrial, is currently owned by Thomas Koziol of East Street. Berzins will purchase it if he gets permits from state and federal alcohol authorities. He plans to submit applications this week, but said it can sometimes take three to four months for the permits to be approved.

Theater approved

In other business, the board also voted unanimously to give site plan approval to Popcorn Noir, a movie theater being constructed at 32 Cottage St., the former location of the Iglesia De Dios Church.

The theater will screen three films a day, including classics, independent films, documentaries and work by local filmmakers.

Kristen Davis, a representative of the business, said there will be free admission to films and that patrons will be able to buy concessions, including beer and wine. It will be family friendly by day, Davis said, but for adults only after 9 p.m.

"Everything complied with zoning, she already has a liquor license and the building inspector approved it, so everything is in order," Beckley said.

Housing development

And the board also opened the public hearing for a residential development off Paul Street.

David Garstka Builders LLC, of Easthampton, hopes to create nine building lots off a cul-de-sac that would extend from the end of Paul Street. The property is 27 acres, but Garstka plans to build on only 2.8 acres and deed the rest, which is mostly not suitable for development, to the Pascommuck Conservation Trust.

The land conservation group already owns an abutting 15-acre property and hopes to build a trail system in the future on both parcels.

The lots would range in size from one-fifth to one-third of an acre and would be single-family homes costing between $200,000 and $350,000, Garstka estimated. Beckley said the new homes would generate another $30,000 in property taxes for the city.

Residents of Hampton East Condominiums, which abuts the property, expressed concern about tree cutting and how snow removal may affect their properties.

The board continued the hearing until 6:05 p.m. Oct. 18 and planned a site visit for Monday at noon.