Vineyard development fees hiked 75%
Dwindling number of applications, need for enforcement funds cited

June 19, 2002

By TOM CHORNEAU
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The cost of getting a county permit for new vineyard development will jump 75 percent during the next fiscal year under a plan approved Tuesday by Sonoma County supervisors.

The fees are intended to cover the cost of ensuring new vineyards are planted in compliance with erosion and sediment control measures adopted by the supervisors in 1999.

Officials say the steep increase in fees is because of the sharp drop in new vineyard applications expected over the next 12 months and a mandate from the supervisors that the cost of complying with the so-called hillside planting ordinance be paid for by the growers.

"Seventy-five percent is a big jump, but we're dealing with a significant reduction in the number of projects next year," said John Westoby, Sonoma County agricultural commissioner.

Westoby said 308 vineyard permits were issued by his office during the first full year of the program, which brought in more than $150,000 in fees. Next year, he said, there are likely to be fewer than 200 new projects, which will bring in only about $100,000. He said he has already trimmed a portion of his staff to help make ends meet.

Although some board members were skeptical of such a steep rate increase, only one member of the agricultural community spoke out against the fees.

Rhonda Hood, executive director of the North Coast Grape Growers, said the increase was too high and asked that money come from the county's general fund to help offset the cost. Bob Anderson, executive director of the Sonoma County Wine Growers Association, said his group did not oppose the increase, mostly because the program was working and growers felt they got value for their money.

In a related development, the supervisors also moved Tuesday to eliminate an exemption granted to some landowners from the vineyard erosion and sediment requirements of 1999.

As part of the compromise surrounding adoption of the hillside ordinance, growers who were in the process of developing their vineyards were given exemptions from the new, stiffer runoff standards. County officials have reasoned that after three years, landowners given exemptions should have completed their planting by now.

Gail Davis, coordinator of the county's vineyard ordinance program, said it isn't known exactly how many properties will be cut off by the board's action Tuesday. She has estimated, however, that as many as 200 properties were exempted but now will come under the mandates of the ordinance.

No landowners spoke out in opposition to removing exemptions during Tuesday's hearing.

You can reach Staff Writer Tom Chorneau at 521-5214 or tchorneau@pressdemocrat.com.

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