In my opinion, there is no impact of a nuisance or hazard here.”

John Borden, zoning board chairman

PORTSMOUTH — Ragged Island Brewing cleared another hurdle Thursday night, April 4, when it secured a special-use permit from the Zoning Board of Review to transform the existing 38-acre Van Hof Nursery property at 54 Bristol Ferry Road into a farm brewery.

The plan, which involves updating the existing greenhouse/farmhouse into a retail and taproom space, maintaining and later restoring the other existing three barns and constructing a new, modern 9,335-square-foot building for their brewing operations and seasonal taproom, was an easy decision for all five board members.

“I tried really hard to find some negative effects this proposed development would have to the surrounding area,” said Chairman John Borden. “In my opinion, there is no impact of a nuisance or hazard here.”

Member Eric Raposa agreed, happy to see that the beloved Van Hof Nursery property — family-run for over 50 years before deciding to close up shop last fall — would maintain its agricultural integrity. 

“It’s nice to see it’s not going to be developed into more house lots,” he said. 

Members Ben Furriel, Sue Horwitz and Will Wladyka agreed, voting unanimously in favor of applicant Donovan Gray, LLC’s proposal. 

Ragged Island currently operates out of the Portsmouth Business Park, offering tastings at its taproom five days a week and distributing their beers to restaurants and bars across Rhode Island.