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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/2017 ALCOHOL FARM PRODUCTS WORKING GROUP Mon., September 11, 2017 5:00PM Town Hall Conference Room MINUTES I.Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5:00PM. II.Roll Call Frank Purita, Joann Maynard, Ian VanBourgondien, Anne Murray, Louisa Hargrave, Kristina Gabrielson, Nancy Foote Also attending: Councilman Bill Ruland, Denis Noncarrow, Melissa Spiro, Adam, Suprenant, Chris Baiz, Steve Wicks (Suffolk Times) III.Approval of Minutes August 28, 2017, reviewed IV.Discussion Items: Committee revisited the 10 acre/2 acre and the 80% grapes/20% other crop specifications. Frank reminded that group that the committee should start simple (10 plus 2 acres) and keep adding on. The group was in agreement at previous meeting with 10 plus 2 acres. Louisa was never comfortable with the 10 plus 2 acres. She thought there was no logic behind that number. New York Ag and Market requires 7 acres. Adam told the committee that the Town is not required to follow Ag & Market. Frank reminded the committee that their task is to promote agriculture and keep the definition of a winery simple. The committee has previously agreed on 10 acres in grapes. Louisa did not agree. Other crops can be fermented under farm law. Frank would like to keep the focus on wineries and deal with tasting rooms at a later date. Frank sugges farm winery. With a tasting room the restrictions can be added using guidelines similar to NAPA: no amplified music, weekend visits by appointment only, limit business appointments, special events (requiring purchase of LI wines). This will help limit bulk tourism. 2 It was suggested to take a more global view with existing wineries, micro wineries and farm wineries. Conceptualize the entire process with NYS law and it will protect the people who live here. Ian would like to consider breaking down the areas: full commercial winery license, legacy license, farm winery and micro winery. ***Louisa and Ian would like it noted that they are opposed to the n the present definition. Melissa told the group that the Town does not allow retail business on preserved land. County does allow it. Town is buying property to create open spaces, the landowners exclude certain areas during the process. Is it possible to be more flexible and create incentives to use preserved land? Find ways for people to farm? Melissa explained that covenants cannot be changed. Mircowineries were discussed. Small producers with different needs and land requirements. Less land and less barrels than a farm winery. Frank asked what zones are to be considered for a microwinery? Where ever farming is allowed with visits by appointment, no ballroom and no amplified music should be taken into consideration as well as a tasting room, an outlet to sell the wine. Three to four acres are needed. Comply with Town and Health Dept codes. Thoughts for a definition were discussed. 2 acres in Ag zone? 500 cases is reasonable production. Can business buy supplemental grapes? Restrict visitation, by appointment only. Make it a quiet place with no amplified music. It is unlikely that the North Fork area will end up with a lot of smaller wineries. Breweries were discussed. There are currently two in the area on commercial land. All farm breweries must meet NYS 80/20 requirements. Hops are expensive to grow. V.The next meeting was set for Mon., September 25th at 5:00PM. VI.The meeting was adjourned at 6:25PM.