The owners of Maine Beer Co., aiming to translate their success in Freeport to a much larger facility, will seek a site plan amendment from the Project Review Board on Sept. 14.

Board members first will do a site walk at Maine Beer Co., located at 525 U.S. Route 1. The Project Review Board and Maine Beer owners Dan and Dave Kleban then will meet back at the Town Council chambers, where the board will consider the site plan amendment.

The Klebans are planning a whopping 20,330-square-foot expansion of their 6,000-square-foot facility. The expansion would include 95 new parking spaces for a total of 125, and new building space to increase the production area, enlarged  tasting room and more office space.

Dan Kleban, who attended the Aug. 10 preliminary hearing before the Project Review Board, told the Tri-Town Weekly following the meeting that he and his brother hope to begin construction this fall.

Maine Beer Co. produces 12,000 barrels of craft beer a year in a dozen or so varieties. To put that into perspective, the company expanded from 3,000 to 5,000 barrels when it moved from Portland to Freeport three years ago.

“Four years ago, we never would have believed we would be producing what we’re producing now,” Kleban said. “Luckily, people have enjoyed our beer, so we are very grateful for that.”

The tipping point that led the brothers to plan the expansion came when they “couldn’t fit one more tank on their production room floor, or squeeze one more employee into the office,” he said.

During last Wednesday night’s Project Review Board meeting, Maine Beer engineer Jeff Amos, with Terradyn Consultants, told the board that the Maine Beer site is “nowhere near as big as they need.”

Board member Henry Gallant brought up questions regarding the company’s need for water and solid waste disposal at a facility so much larger. Gallant encouraged Amos to consult with both the Freeport water and sewer districts. Board Chairman Cliff Goodall agreed that the company should be aware of the capacity at the sewer plant in South Freeport.

“That will be an issue that I will have concern with,” Goodall said.

Board member Geralyn Campanelli urged Maine Beer to place handicapped parking spaces closer to the building’s entrance, and Amos agreed that could be done.

Peter Curtis expressed concern from the audience about the impact of increased traffic on Pine Street. The driveways off U.S. Route 1 and Pine Street are proposed to be slightly relocated.

“I’m concerned about increased noise and volume of trucks,” Curtis said.

Goodall responded that the board will require a traffic study, and agreed that Curtis’ concerns are valid.

Dan Kleban, Maine Beer Co. co-owner with brother David, chats outside the Freeport Town Council chambers following a meeting of the Project Review Board on Aug. 10.

Dan Kleban, co-owner of Maine Beer Co., answers questions from the Freeport Project Review Board.