Bill Hocker | Nov 19, 2015

NVR: Unauthorized work at winery vexes Planning Commission

The Summers Estate Winery came up before the Planning Commission seeking a "recognize, allow and increase" use-permit modification.

Much of the discussion revolved around the compliance issue of allowing and recognizing past illegal uses. But, as with Reverie and other projects there was outrage that not only was illegal construction being given amnesty, but increases in visitation and capacity over the existing use permit were to be granted as well. Added was outrage over new construction being requested in the 600' setback, a hot-button issue in several past projects.

Chair Phillips cautioned the room full of residents concerned about the continuous stream of "recognize and allow" permits coming up before the commission that this would be common for the next year as wineries seek to clean up their acts in light of the new normal enforcement policies of the county. She didn't want to see the same complaints coming up at each hearing.

The county could, of course dampen the complaints a bit by stating that compliance issues where possible must be cleaned up for at least a year before any new requests for increases in visitation or capacity can be made. In the Summers case it would mean recognizing and allowing the tasting room (assuming it's not over 40% of the operation), and curbing their visitation or making less wine in the next year to comply with the existing permit. And then asking for increases next year.

In his presentation, Jim Summers made the case, which one commissioner described as refreshing, that this was a brand whose reputation and success was earned the old fashioned way - salesmanship on the road and distribution through 3-tier marketing: 80% wholesale, 20% DTC. To be sure the amount of visitation increase requested was modest by the current standards; 20 visitors/day 7500 visitors/year, at least half that for other similar sized wineries. But if Mr. Summers has been successful as a wholesale marketer of wine then why even consider an increase in tourist slots in this hostile climate. This is an opportunity to make the statement that great wines don't need tourists, just as Screaming Eagle, Dominus, Harlan and others have made.

The project was continued until Jan 20th while the staff tries to determine whether Tubbs lane really requires a 600' setback and to see if there are alternative expansions that won't trigger the setback ordinance.

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