COEUR d’’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene Planning Commission unanimously approved a proposal Tuesday to allow a beverage processing facility in Coeur d’Alene.

“It is definitely an area of change,” said Commissioner Lynn Fleming of the request for a custom manufacturing use at 1411 N. Fourth St. “To see something that will enliven this area is important. There’s just a lot of blank space over there, and I think seeing people walking up that far north will be great.”

The commission's 6-0 decision was met with applause from some in the crowd.

Pilgrim’s Market owner Joe Hamilton, Hamilton Investments LLC, was seeking a custom manufacturing special use permit in a commercial zoning district.

He wants to convert the existing 3,600-square-foot multi-tenant commercial space into a beverage processing/production facility to make organic juices and beer.

Most of the products and all of the beer will be sold to Pilgrim's Market, just south and across the street.

A retail space to sell some products onsite and a classroom for educational programs are also part of the plan.

Hamilton said the project meets the city’s six guiding principles in its 2022-2042 comprehensive plan.

While Hamilton couldn’t quite explain how it fit the guiding principle of recreation, he got a little help from Commissioner Jon Ingalls.

“As a University of Idaho graduate, I would say there’s clearly a nexus between beer drinking and recreation,” Ingalls said, laughing.

The proposal was reviewed by the city’s departments, including streets, water, police and fire, and there were no objections.

Traffic generated from the business is expected to have minimal, if any, impact on the area.

There is a single-family dwelling to the north of the property and two older commercial structures to the south.

There are several commercial uses to the north of the subject property, including Thrifty Car Rental.

Ingalls said the six parking spots, while meeting requirements, “seems potentially a little bit light."

“There’s a lot going on in there, and that's a good thing,” he said.

Pilgrim's opened 22 years ago. This year, its payroll will be about $4.5 million and it will have an economic impact of about $10 million, Hamilton said.

A manufacturing facility like this one could be a stepping stone for cottage industries to develop in the area, Hamilton said.

He said he believes the beverage business will add to the city’s livability, provide jobs that will encourage biking and walking to work and promote a healthy lifestyle.

“We are in the business of health,” he said.