Review extended for rules proposed for wineries, breweries

The public review period for the winery and farm brewery ordinance draft Environmental Impact Report, which analyzes new rules that would refine regulation of wineries and farm breweries in Western Placer County, has been extended from June 3 to June 10. The review period has been extended due to a clerical error discovered in the report and an erratum, or correction, has been issued. Rules can be reviewed at placer.ca.gov/2799/Winery-Farm-Brewery-Ordinance. The erratum addresses a correction to the proposed zone districts noting where an "accessory use — restaurant" would be allowed, adding residential agricultural and residential forest zone districts to the already-included agricultural exclusive, farm, and forest zone districts. In all instances, such use would require a conditional use permit. The correction does not raise new issues with regard to environmental effects, nor does it require changes to the analysis or conclusions contained within the report The proposed changes to the county's existing winery ordinance would, most notably, limit the size and number of events allowed at farm breweries and wineries without a special use permit, increase agricultural planting standards and add the new use definition of "farm breweries" to address breweries that grow hops on site. The revised draft winery and farm brewery ordinance reflects resident and industry input from several community workshops and public meetings as the draft rules were developed. "Agribusinesses like wineries and farm breweries are a real attraction in Placer County, and we need to make sure our rules are keeping up with this evolving industry," said Placer County Community Development Resource Agency Director Steve Pedretti. "We're trying to strike a balance of providing clarity to these businesses so they can succeed while making sure they operate as good neighbors in the rural communities they call home." A public meeting on the report will be held with the Placer County Planning Commission 10 a.m. on May 23 at the Placer County Community Development Resource Center, Planning Commission Room, 3091 County Center Drive, in North Auburn. The report is available for public review during normal business hours at: Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Drive, Suite 190, Auburn Placer County Clerk-Recorder's Office, 2954 Richardson Drive, Auburn Auburn Library, 350 Nevada St., Auburn Lincoln Public Library, 485 Twelve Bridges Drive, Lincoln Comments may be addressed to the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, Attention: Shirlee Herrington, Environmental Coordination Services, 3091 County Center Drive, Suite 190, Auburn, CA 95603; at the public meeting; or by email to cdraecs@placer.ca.gov. Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on June 10.