Group Sues San Diego County on New Winery Policy
by Lindsey A. Zahn on September 12, 2010
On September 3, 2010, the San Diego Citizenry Group, on behalf of various property owners throughout San Diego, brought suit against San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors challenging a new ordinance approved on August 4, 2010. The ordinance reportedly creates a more manageable process for wine growers to open wine-tasting rooms and create small wineries in unincorporated parts of the region. In filing suit against the County, the San Diego Citizenry Group alleged that the ordinance was passed without a proper environmental study. “Residents are particularly concerned about additional traffic on rural roads and the amount of water the wineries would need to operate.” (See Group Sues County on New Winery Policy.) Additionally, the San Diego Citizenry Group claims the County ignored issues and other impacts when it implemented the ordinance; according, the Group asks that the supervisors’ vote be annulled and the ordinance be appraised thoroughly before additional action is taken.
Ostensibly, the ordinance, which was originally proposed in October 2007, creates a layered system that allows property owners of areas zoned for agriculture to set up businesses to grow, produce, and sell wine to wineries. Additionally, these properties could produce up to 120,000 gallons of wine each year, open a tasting room without securing a major-use permit, and hold onsite events, including weddings.
A court date is not currently scheduled, but once more information is available, On Reserve will post updates accordingly.
About the author
Lindsey Zahn wrote 149 articles on this blog.
Lindsey is the founder and author of On Reserve: A Wine Law Blog. She is a recent law school graduate and has a passion for the hospitality industry that furnishes her interest in wine law. Currently, she works at an alcohol beverage and food law firm in Washington, D.C. Lindsey passed the July 2012 New York State Bar Exam and is currently awaiting admission to the New York Bar (pending results from her character and fitness exam).
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Haellljauh! I needed this-you’re my savior.
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