Tap house to open in Folsom historic district as project moves forward after lawsuit

The Barley Barn Tap House, a project focusing on the popular craft beer industry, is moving forward in Historic Folsom.

Murray Weaver, owner of Powerhouse Pub on Sutter Street, heads the project that he says will offer local, national and world beers, including 30 on tap and a “huge” bottled menu.

“We will have (an) enhanced presentation of up and coming Seltzer products ... accompanied by a light food menu,” Weaver said via email. “Limited entertainment will also be in the mix.”

According to court documents, the project will remodel an existing 4,377-square-foot building that previously served as a retail space and pottery studio. The proposed use is consistent with the surrounding commercial uses in the historic district, according to the county.

In February, the Historic Preservation League of Folsom, a non-profit organization that focuses on identifying and preserving the city’s historic resources, filed a lawsuit against Weaver and the city of Folsom, saying that the city did not conduct an environmental review required by the California Environmental Quality Act.

The project, however, could apply a Class 3 exemption from environmental review, which in urbanized areas can apply to a store, restaurant or similar structure not exceeding 10,000 square feet in floor area nor using significant amounts of hazardous substances, according to the CEQA.

At the end of November, a judge ruled to deny the petition from the HPLF that argued the Barley Barn would significantly impact parking, noise, aesthetics and the environment of the historic district.

“Parking is not an environmental effect requiring analysis under CEQA,” Judge Steven Gevercer wrote in the ruling. “(The HPLF) does not show that a lack of parking will lead to any reasonably foreseeable indirect environmental impact for purposes of CEQA.”

While the project off Sutter Street does not have a slated completion date, Weaver said he is proceeding “as diligently as possible” to finish permitting and complete improvements.

“We appreciate the concerns of the HPLF and will continue to take their concerns seriously,” he said.