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-3- <br /> APPEAL STATEMENT NO. 1 <br /> In their appeal statement,the appellants state,"Finding#1 is wrong [because] a tautology is <br /> inadequate for a finding of fact". <br /> RESPONSE TO APPEAL STATEMENT NO. 1 <br /> Finding#1 states"The proposed use is consistent with the goals, policies, standards, and maps of <br /> the General Plan, any applicable Master Plan, Specific Plan, and Special Purpose Plan,and any <br /> other applicable plan adopted by the County." The facts of the proposed project were stated <br /> without tautology. The project consists of expanding an existing small winery. A small winery <br /> may be conditionally permitted in the AG-40 (General Agriculture,40-acre minimum)zone <br /> subject to an approved Site Approval application pursuant to the Development Title. The <br /> proposed use is consistent with the General Plan. There are no other applicable plans adopted by <br /> the County that apply to the project. <br /> APPEAL STATEMENT NO. 2 <br /> In their appeal statement,the appellants state,"Finding#1 is wrong [because] the proposed <br /> marketing events are neither accessory nor subordinate to the primary agricultural use... instead <br /> the reverse is occurring: The vineyard serves as a backdrop for `weddings, banquets,or small <br /> gathering, anniversary parties,birthday celebrations,receptions, luncheons and social affairs, <br /> both formal and casual' as already advertised and conducted by the Vierras at their St. Jorge <br /> Winery." <br /> RESPONSE TO APPEAL STATEMENT NO. 2 <br /> Twenty-four marketing events are proposed with a maximum attendance of 150 people per <br /> marketing event. A small winery use may be conditionally permitted in the AG-40 zone with an <br /> approved Site Approval application. The winery ordinance permits marketing events as an <br /> accessory use to a winery (Development Title Section 9-1075.3(m)). Development Title Section <br /> 9-1075.1 states,"The intent of the Wineries and Related Facilities Chapter of the Development Title is <br /> to establish regulations that will acknowledge the distinctive pairing of wine grape growing,wine <br /> making,and tourism.The challenge is to provide for agricultural tourism and marketing activities while <br /> ensuring that agricultural resources remain vital.A major purpose is to guarantee that both winery and <br /> wine cellar marketing events are accessory and are subordinate to the primary agricultural use." <br /> Marketing events can take many forms,but they all must promote wine and have wine from the <br /> associated vineyard for sale. The fourteen acre parcel has approximately three acres of existing <br /> vineyards, four acres of proposed vineyards, and two acres consisting of the winery and marketing <br /> events. The applicant expects to produce 28,000 gallons of wine per year and will have wine <br /> available for sale at each marketing event. The wine will be sold exclusively from the host winery <br /> and the applicant has indicated the marketing events are specifically geared to sell their wine. <br />