EASTHAMPTON — A new tasting room and other expansions are planned for Fort Hill Brewery, but some residents still worry about the additional noise and traffic the establishment’s growth could bring to the area.

The brewery at 30 Fort Hill Road has applied for a special permit for construction of a 1,630-square-foot tasting room, renovated kitchen area, new patio area and installation of parking lot lights and paved spaces.

The kitchen area will be updated for sanitary purposes and efficiency as the brewery will now serve in two tap rooms. While the kitchen space allows the potential to provide food in the future, the brewery does not intend to become a restaurant, according to information provided at Tuesday’s Planning Board meeting.

Since the brewery was established in 2011, residents along Fort Hill Road have voiced concerns about the noise and traffic associated with tasting room. With the new expansions in the works, some residents voiced concerns to planners about what the growing establishment could attract.

“The more he increases the entertainment, the more he increases the number of customers, the more the noise, the number of traffic” resident Bert Thurber said. 

Another resident said he wants to be able to sit on his deck without losing his quality of life.

The contractor for the brewery, David Lepine, said he does not think noise will be a problem and the patio area will be kept private with evergreens along the area.

The brewery is open four days a week with limited hours and does not plan to expand the hours of operation. 

The Planning Board will continue discussion April 4.

Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.

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