At its first meeting of 2012, the Troutman Board of Aldermen made it easier for vineyard owners to open wineries in the town.
With little debate on the matter at its Thursday regular meeting, the board members voted to amend the town’s Unified Development Ordinance to allow wineries to operate without a special-use permit, which they previously required.
The matter stems from a request by the owners of Daveste Vineyards, which is located in Troutman and is currently the only wine-producing operation in Iredell County. Daveste asked to expand its facility last year.
The ordinance amendment allows vineyards to open wineries without special permission from the town. Winery owners who would like to also start a vineyard still need special approval.
A winery is a facility in which wine is produced. A vineyard is essentially a grape farm.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, the board:
» Committed $18,750 toward the expansion of the Richardson Greenway.
The cash commitment is tied to the ambitious Carolina Thread Trail, which will include hundreds of miles of trails and greenways through many North Carolina counties.
The cash committed Thursday will allow the Richardson Greenway to expand north along U.S. Highway 21, from Old Murdock Road to Grannis Lane in the Barrium Springs area.
» Held a public hearing in advance of an application for a Community Development Block Grant.
Gary Wilson, a contractor with the town from the planning firm Benchmark, said that if Troutman is awarded the grant, the funds could be used for a number of town projects.
» Discussed a rezoning matter with two men, named Byers and Murdock (first names unavailable), who own property on Old Mountain Road.
Though the matter was not an agenda item, the matter occupied a considerable portion of the relatively brief meeting. Alderman Mike Spath said the men could meet with two members of the board to work out a plan suitable to both the town and residents.
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