Title
PLN140232 - Rancho Sin Frenos
Public hearing to consider amending a Use Permit (PLN020311) to allow expansion of wine production from 5,000 cases to 7,500 cases and allow importation of grapes.
Recommended CEQA Action: Categorically Exempt per CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
33757 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, Cachagua Area Plan.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Zoning Administrator adopt a resolution (Exhibit B) to:
1) Find the project categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301, of the CEQA Guidelines; and
2) Approve PLN140232, amending PLN020311 as follows:
a. Amending Condition 7 increasing production from 5,000 cases to 7,500 cases of wine per year.
b. Amending Condition 18 prohibited importing grapes is modified to allow importation of grapes if grapes grown on-site are destroyed due to a catastrophic event.
Subject to 6 conditions of approval.
PROJECT INFORMATION:
Planning File Number: PLN140232
Owner: Rancho Sin Frenos LLC
Project Location: 33757 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
APN: 197-051-042-000
Agent: Nancy Isakson
Plan Area: Cachagua Area Plan
Flagged and Staked: No, no new development is proposed
SUMMARY:
In 2004, the Monterey County Zoning Administrator approved PLN020311 granting a Use Permit for a winery. The winery was conditioned with limits on production capacity up to 5,000 cases and using only grapes grown on site (prohibit importing grapes). Rancho Sin Frenos winery would like to amend the two conditions limiting operations as follows:
1) Increase the number of cases produced per year from 5,000 cases to up to 7,500 cases
2) Allow importation of grapes to replace lost production of grapes grown on site due to a catastrophic event (such as a fire or other disaster.)
Limitation on the number of cases was related to the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) definition of a small winery; however, these limitations changed and now the threshold is 10,000 cases. The applicant's request i...
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