Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 5 · column 3 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
operations wherein at least 25 percent of grapes or other fruit used are grown in the County. “Wineries” are anything else, and are operations where most of the product is grown somewhere else for production here. We treat that as no different than if someone wanted to make a production facility for any agricultural commodity (com to ethanol, distilleries, etc.), it is only allowed by special permit. Category 1 & 2 farm wineries are allowed by right. We don’t allow unrelated events (weddings, seminars, etc.) without a separate special permit. On the other hand, the cow-calf operations down the road need such a permit, too. I’ll concede that the ambiance is rather different there.
“The fact that counties interpret current code differently is a clear signal that the current code needs “clarification” is a variant of the line that has been used with some success by every special interest that doesn’t want to deal with a large number of different jurisdictions. Those who feel overburdened by having to learn the rules of the local road can therein find common cause with the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, and any of a dozen other groups who travel to Richmond and bemoan the difficulties of having to keep track of local zoning detail.
I think that places are different, and they require different rules. I don’t think that HB 1435’s passage would be the end of the world, but I know a few local winery owners who aren’t enthusiastic about it. And it is another erosion of local government’s ability to tailor regulation to match local needs. I support Virginia
95.2%