Despite concerns raised by a nearby church and its day-care center, the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment has given the go-ahead to the original owner of Dock Street Brewery to open a brewpub and wood-burning pizza restaurant at 50th Street and Baltimore Avenue.

The board made its ruling about two weeks ago after a lively hearing pitting the Cedar Park Neighbors and University City District supporters against dissenters from Hickman Temple AME Church and its congregation.

The civic groups presented more than 600 names on their petitions, compared to Hickman’s 171, according to an aide to City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, who monitored several meetings between the factions.

“I’ve said earlier that the voices of the people rule, not those of the elected officials,” said Blackwell. “I understand that the Dock Street supporters offered some concessions, such as not opening up on Sundays at 11 a.m. when church services are being held, delaying that until 4 p.m., along with energizing the economy in this area.

“ If they do not live up to their promises, the license would be revoked after the two-year period when it is up for review.”

Blackwell said the city had little clout in swaying the board either way, since this was an issue that would have been addressed to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

“The state liquor control board has the call here, since the issue was about alcohol,” she said.

Rosemarie Certo, who will be president and owner of Dock Street, said she was elated over the unanimous vote from the four-member zoning board and said the business should be up and running in about two months.

Certo and her husband, Jeffrey Ware, launched their Dock Street Brewery operation in 1985 and opened a brewpub five years later, attracting hordes of novelty beer lovers with its Thomas Jefferson Ale and Curacao wheat beer, among others.

They sold the business in 1998, but brought back the bottling division and name in 2002. The brewpub, which remained under other owners, shut down in 2002.

But not so elated was the Rev. Jocelyn Hart and her congregation at Hickman Temple AME Church, which also operates a day care and learning center on the premises.

“We’re disappointed with the zoning board’s decision, but will abide by its ruling,” said Hart, who hosted a rally on the eve of the hearing, claiming the presence of a brewery serving alcoholic beverages as disrespectful to the church community.

“ Even with the concessions, we are looking into the possibility of appealing the zoning board’s action,” she said. “This church has been on this corner for 32 years and our daycare and learning center serves more than 100 children daily.

“We question the wisdom of those who see nothing wrong with putting a brewery and selling beer and wine on that site across the street from us.”

According to Dock Street plans, beer will be sold in kegs and 12.8-ounce bottles in eight-packs along with consumption of beer and wine on premises and no so-called “hard” liquor.

Maureen Tate, an officer of the Cedar Park Neighbors group, said people should not be concerned about potential rowdiness and irresponsible drinkers since a specialty beer would not be attractive to them because of the price.

Gail Fisher, commercial corridor manager for the University City District, touted Dock Street’s arrival as a welcome addition to a diverse neighborhood looking for an anchor to accelerate the revitalization in the area. She said pedestrian lighting will be installed and there are police bike and foot patrols to help residents and visitors feel safe.

Dock Street’s new address was most recently a farmer’s market for 15 years and for many years served as a firehouse until the mid-1980s.

The building currently houses a coffeehouse on the first floor, a bicycle shop on the second floor and a car business on the third floor.