PZC Gives Chamard Vineyards The Green Light

Tonight the town's Planning & Zoning Commission approved application for a special permit for additional farm tourism uses.

The vote, for those eligible to vote, was all "yes" votes and one abstention. No one voted to deny the application.

What began in early summer as ended on a calm note when the the vineyard.

The vote was to allow Chamard a special exception for additional farm tourism uses which include: 

• the retail and wholesale selling of agricultural products
• the retail sale of handcrafts, which for Chamard is melted-down wine bottles turned into gifts
• agricultural education and instruction such as wine-making
• demonstrations
• a 35-seat restaurant/bistro

Special conditions included items such as hours of operation (9am to 6pm Sunday - Thursday and 9am to 10pm Friday and Saturday for the vineyards); hours for their eight allowed special events (such as weddings) 9am to 8pm; no residential dwellings allowed; no serving of entree-type food outside of the 35-seat bistro but allowing for hors d'oeuvres type food in other areas of the vineyards. 

A full list of all the conditions will be published on Patch when it becomes available from the PZC.