Vote On Event Ban At San Joaquin Wineries Delayed While County Updates Rules
LODI (CBS13) — The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors decided to hold off on placing a one-year moratorium on events at wineries on Tuesday, saying the county is making progress on updating winery rules.
County leaders considered a move that would have prevented new wineries from holding additional marketing events for an entire year.
"It was going to disproportionately affect new wineries and wineries in the application process," said Nancy Beckman with the Lodi Visitors Bureau.
Over the past decade, the Lodi area has transformed into a wine hot spot. Some neighbors, farmers and other opponents are concerned the area is steering away from its roots and turning into a party zone, causing too much traffic and noise.
Bob Elliot, the board chairman, says the current winery ordinance still needs to be clarified.
"I think we need a wine ordinance that maintains some flexibility so the planning commission and board can apply common sense and the discretion to approve or disapprove the situation at hand," he said.
The county hopes to have updated rules drafted before August.