From my colleague Ken Crowe:

A historic Troy Baptist church would be transformed into a brew pub for 200 people, though it will a need for a variance to make up for a lack of parking spaces, an application filed with the city Zoning Board of Appeals says.

Collar City Brewing has submitted a proposal to put a brew pub in the 12,388-square foot Mount Ida Community Baptist Church building at 560 Congress St., just east of Pawling Avenue.

The long-time Baptist church had been listed for sale. It’s since been removed from the active sales list. The assessed value for the church property is $670,000, according to the 2016 city tax rolls.

The brew pub plans parking for 19 vehicles on the half-acre lot. The city code requires parking for 100 leaving the brewing operation short by 91 spaces. The plans call for an outdoor patio overlooking the Poesten Kill with seating for 50 customers.

Details about the interior were not filed. The estimated construction costs are more than $100,000, according to the proposal.

The building is located on one of the city’s most heavily traveled thoroughfares, Route 2. It’s essentially at the corner where Route 2 and Route 66, Pawling Avenue, meet at the entrance to the Eastside neighborhood

It’s also the spot where three City Council districts come together. The church is in District 5 and borders Districts 3 and 4.

Councilwoman Lynn Kopka, the Democrat representing District 5, said she welcomes new business, but doesn’t want to see the neighborhood overwhelmed.

“I’m please entrepreneurs are considering Troy for new business,” Kopka said Wednesday.

“I hope it’s well capitalized and the parking issues can be resolved satisfactorily,” Kopka said.

Louis Emory, who submitted the application, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Brew pubs can be found in other parts of downtown, including Brown’s on River Street.

The zoning board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 433 River St.