A Tipping Point

[Sara S]

from Sunday's letters to the Press Democrat:

A tipping point
EDITOR: Sonoma County is at a tipping point. The county’s general plan projected 239 wineries by 2020, but there are now 437 approved facilities and 60-plus applications pending. And these don’t include the large winery/cheese factory and brewery combinations proposed next to public parks, water recharge areas and two-lane rural highways.

The county’s tendency for approval has undermined the general plan as a public trust. This calls into question the accuracy of underlying technical analysis, often paid for by the owner requesting a permit or modification, resulting in unstudied cumulative impacts to road safety and water resources.

In the Sonoma Valley alone, neighbors have seen a gridlock increase in commuter traffic. There are multiple wineries and resorts permitted along Highway 12 that have yet to be built, and there is a corporate movement to purchase and expand our local, small wineries.

Kenwood Winery was recently purchased by Pernod Richard, a huge international wine and spirits corporation. It has asked for a new use permit and an event center that will allow up to 70,000 people to attend multiple events at holidays, harvest times and for industry-wide tastings. And this is only one winery.

LINDA HALE Glen Ellen

[beshiva]

And, i might add, with the people who will be running for office for future Board of Supervisor seats that are coming up , not a one of them, including Noreen Evans, ever met a winery they didn't like, and support.

i don't believe Noreen will/can stand up to the Wine Industry...and anyone who tries, will Not be elected to the
BOS. this is quite simple to get, not just wine flows, the $$$ flows along with it, and if you want to be in the
good graces of the wine moguls you will support them every step of the way, or you are useless to them and you'll become fodder for their vineyards.

the BOS wants us to believe, that without WINE, we can't survive. Really, is that true?
the tipping point came and went. just my opinion
peace

...Sonoma County is at a tipping point...