The Vault Can Convert Its Taproom To Restaurant Use: Council

YARDLEY, PA — When Yardley Borough Council President David Bria motioned in an August council meeting to appeal a recent zoning decision on the Vault Brewing Co., he received no second.

This means that the zoning hearing board's decision will go forward and the Vault will be able to use their tasting room space as a restaurant, too, according to a report by Bucks Local News.

The Vault Brewing Co., a brewery with a tasting room at the Tannery on West College Avenue, had sought a variance to expand its usage at that location to include a small kitchen and a barbecue smoker — both of which are not permitted under its current designation as a tasting room. Currently, they bring food across town from their other location to serve at the Taproom.

The Taproom is located in a primarily residential neighborhood, and people had been unhappy with the music and noise from the Taproom's outdoor tent, leading to push back on the new zoning.

The zoning board had approved the variance unanimously on June 28, changing the building's use to a restaurant under a few conditions: the removal of the Taproom's outdoor tent, and the elimination of outdoor music, outdoor seating, and extended night hours unless the Taproom secures a special events permit from the borough council.

Based on resident pushback, Bria had motioned in the recent council meeting to appeal the decision, mentioning concerns over the precedent the variance might set. However, when his motion received no second, the council moved on from the issue.

Jim Cain, operations manager at the Vault, is relieved.

"I’m very pleased with the decision and I’m optimistic we can improve our relationship with our adjacent neighbors,” he told Bucks Local News.

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