Minutes for May 17, 2018
- Call to Order
Chairperson Vicky Farrow called to order the regular meeting of the Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council at 6:00 PM. - Roll Call
Present Council members: Bill Smith, Vicky Farrow, Ruth Wilson, and Mike Tierney.
Jenny Gomez absent.. - Approval of Minutes
On a motion by Councilmember Mike Tierney, seconded by Councilmember Ruth Wilson, the April 19, 2018, Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council meeting minutes were approved. The motion carried on a voice vote, (4‐0). - Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items – None
- Correspondence – None
- Council member Announcements and Disclosures – Information only – None
- Referrals from Sonoma County Permit Sonoma
File Number: ZCE18‐0008
Applicant Name: Olmsted and Associates, Jim Olmstead
Owner Name: Kieran and Carol Harty, Trustees
Site Address: 3300 Mill Creek Road, Healdsburg
APN: 110‐060‐010
Project Description: Request Zone Change on 13.73 acres from the TP (Timberland Production Zoning District), B6 160‐acre density with VOH (Valley Oak Habitat Combining District) to the RRD Resources and Rural Development) zoning designation on property located near Healdsburg.The applicants were, again, unable to attend the meeting. The council discussed zoning and that they may need to consult with county officials regarding the differences in zoning. Mike believed that the change would allow more uses for the property. Their referral will be continued to the next meeting of the DCVCAC. Vicky asked that the applicant be contacted for next month.
- Questions and Comments from Council
Council member Bill Smith congratulated Vicky and Ruth for their work, as well as the DCVA and Winegrowers, for coming to a compromise on the previously incomplete items. He also wanted to emphasize that if applicants reach out to neighbors, it is really helpful. He wanted to encourage this, as it brings about good results.
Council member Jenny Gomez believes it is so helpful to have a filter for doing their work on the council. They want to make informed, thoughtful decisions. She finds the guidelines very helpful.
Council member Mike Tierney applauds the work done, and acknowledges the rare common sense used to complete these tasks - Comments from the Public
Richard Kagle, President of the DCVA and a resident at 7005 Dry Creek Road—shared his address, because things are slightly different on West Dry Creek Road, and things can be viewed slightly differently depending on where folks live. Some feel this document doesn’t go far enough, and some feel it goes too far. For those in the first group, he mentioned a review that used the guidelines: Only one or two of existing wineries would have made it through based on these guidelines. He is happy with that and acknowledged that there is a fear of what would be coming in the future. For those that think these guidelines have gone too far, he mentioned the work and compromise that went into their creation. He mentioned that the largest tasting rooms in the valley are 500 sq. ft., but the document allows for larger spaces.
Scott Sibary, Geyserville resident on Canyon Road—asked about the rack record for the county. Vicky explained that we have used the guidelines, but she doesn’t believe they have been used at the county level yet. Ruth mentioned that there was a real estate agent that came to one of our DCVCAC meetings and went through the guidelines with the council, so that he could use them with potential customers. Jenny mentioned that she liked that this promotes success for folks coming into the valley.
He believes we are looking for middle ground, and is very much in support of this document, as is the DCVA. There was generalized large support from their members. He believes it has met the goals that were set forth. Applicants, real estate agents, property buyers . . . all can look at this document and it will provide needed guidance.
Ann Peterson, Executive Director of Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley—spoke on behalf of their board. They are very much in support of this document and are happy to have something specific to Dry Creek Valley. In a time of uncertainty at the county level, they believe this will provide some consistency. She loves that we’ve taken our destiny into our own hands.
Lynn Adams, of Bella Winery—thanked Ruth and Vicky for all their hard work. She mentioned her pending permit review. She like their contact and communication with everyone. She loves that this gives everyone the opportunity to share and communicate and believes we are a community that welcomes everyone. She bemoaned that people, previously, could have had a dream of a winery on a 5 or 10 acre parcel only to find that it wasn’t possible. Now there is something concrete.
Julie Pedroncelli St. John, of Pedroncelli Winery and on the board of the WDCV—explained that she saw the guidelines in the first stages and also where they are now. She was struck with the absence of guidelines, when working with committees that dealt with Permit Sonoma. She appreciates that the guidelines explain how to deal with the county, because so many people do not understand the process for projects in Dry Creek Valley. She believes the definitions are very important, and is so happy to see this.
Yael Bernier, Canyon Road—commented that she is happy with the approval of the 75% model for sourcing grapes.
Bill Fumick, of the Westside Community Foundation—asked if there was a copy of the guidelines and asked about section 6 B&C. Were there any corrections after speaking to Permit Sonoma? He stated that Dean Parsons had stated at a previous meeting that definitions did not meet county requirements.
Jane Kerlinger, Board Member of DCVA and resident on Canyon Road—Congratulated Ruth and Vicky for their hard work. She confirmed that the DCVA Board is in strong support of the document.
Council Chair Vicky Farrow thanked everyone for coming to discuss the Guidelines.
On a motion by Council member Jenny Gomez, seconded by Council member Mike Tierney, the DCVCAC Guidelines for Visitor Serving Uses were approved on a roll call vote:- Bill Smith: Aye
- Ruth Wilson: Aye
- Vicky Farrow: Aye
- Jenny Gomez: Aye
- Mike Tierney: Aye
- Referrals from Permit Sonoma
File Number: ZCE18‐0008
Applicant Name: Olmsted and Associates, Jim Olmsted
Owner Name: Kieran and Carol Harty, Trustees
Site Address: 3300 Mill Creek Road, Healdsburg
APN: 110‐060‐010
Project Description: Request for a Zone Change on 13.73 acres from the TP (Timberland Production Zoning District), B^ 160‐acre density with VOH (Valley Oak Habitat Combining District) to the RRD (Resources and Rural Development) zoning designation on property located near Healdsburg.Applicants were unable to attend the meeting. There referral will be continued to the next meeting of the DCVCAC.
- Discussion
The county hearing on UPE16‐0046 for Bella Winery at 9711 West Dry Creek Road will be heard on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at 8:45 AM, in the Board of Supervisors meeting room 102‐A, So. Co. Admin. Building, 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa. The council wanted everyone to know this was going forward. - Agenda Items for Future Meetings
The deferred referral for ZCE18‐0008. Ongoing discussion of the Guidelines document progress. - Adjournment
There being no other Council business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:42 PM; on a motion by Council member Bill Smith, seconded by Council member Ruth Wilson. The motion carried on a voice vote, (5‐0).
Approved Date:
Vicky Farrow, Council Chair