Architectural rendering of NU Brewing.

NEW GLOUCESTER – The Planning Board granted unanimous approval Tuesday for NU Brewing to build a brewery and tasting room at the former Oliver Store/Anderson Equipment eight-acre lot at 437 Lewiston Road.

The project calls for the redevelopment of the site that has been vacant for several years.

Russell Voss of New Gloucester will develop the brewery and tasting room with associated site work of the large existing building.

Voss said he has been a home brewer for about 20 years and this is his first commercial brewery.

At the public hearing attended by 20 residents, Frederic Licht of Licht Environmental Design of Gray gave an overview of the project, which includes design and construction of a new septic system and well that are 300 feet apart. Loading docks and an entrance redesign will follow ADA requirements for access.

An open driveway will be configured to a single  location with gravel parking and defined landscaping along Route 100.

The brewing operation and 53-seat tasting room will have a septic design to handle 800 gallons of water daily, in excess of the operation’s need.

Based on current technology, the operation relies on discharge of 150 gallons of waste and roughly 50,000 gallons of water annually through a closed system brewing technology that uses less water and generates less waste, said Voss.

Solid waste will be removed immediately for composting and farm use, said Voss.

An existing dug well on the site may be used as a fire cistern based on approval by Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection. New Gloucester Fire Department Chief James Ladewig’s approval for fire suppression from the old well is contingent upon getting DEP approval.

The area is in the residential business zone in the groundwater protection overlay district. It relies on private septic and wells.

A phased approach to the site’s development allows the developer an additional year beyond the one-year approval for the full construction of the site.