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SUNNY Temp: 85 °F Wind: N at 5 mph Tuesday, June 17, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 15, 2003 Winery worries Some neighbors of small vintners believe relaxed land-use rules will cause problems By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune TALENT — Property owners near Paschal Winery already complain about traffic and noise related to events. With the county planning to relax regulations for wineries, some neighbors think Paschal could have an even greater impact on their neighborhood. "The county needs to look at this thing and see they can do a lot of damage to a lot of people," said Mallory Lynch, who thinks a small winery like Paschal has more impact on a neighborhood than a winery surrounded by hundreds of acres of land. Existing regulations have no teeth, and proposed regulations have even less teeth, Lynch said. "I don’t think they can enforce the rules they have now." Advertisement Under current county regulations, wineries can advertise to promote wine tasting but can promote concerts and other events only if they are secondary to wine. The proposed changes would give them more flexibility. Lynch thinks that each winery should be looked at individually in the county, rather than creating global rules that apply to everyone. "If the winery is next door with 200 acres around it, nobody would complain, but when it’s only 16 acres, any activities impact the surrounding neighborhood," he said. But, Lynch, who signed a petition along with eight other property owners asking the county to limit Paschal’s events, said he and other neighbors are fighting an uphill battle against what they perceive as a mighty force. "We know things happen because there are things going on behind the scenes," he said. "We’re not that naive." Despite his reservations, Mallory said the winery’s management appears willing to work with neighbors to resolve problems with noise, dust and traffic, and protect a quiet, rural lifestyle. "We’re saying let’s all work together, and this is the first time we’ve been doing that," said Lynch. Mike Olson, whose Suncrest Road property was purchased by his grandparents in 1919, said the former management at Pascal appeared unconcerned about the neighbors. But new management, which met with property owners recently, appears willing to work out issues. "They’ve made an honest effort to work with neighbors," he said. "At least they’re talking to us." Olson agrees with Lynch that the county shouldn’t make blanket rules about a winery but rather deal with each one on a case-by-case basis. Renee Dobbes, manager of the winery, said, "We have to walk a fine line between what to do to succeed as a business but still respect our neighbors." The winery will continue to make sure it’s not stepping on toes by developing a noise cutoff time and not exceeding a certain number of events, she said. The winery will be hosting a charitable event in the future but will ask for feedback from the neighbors after the event. Dobbes said she understands neighbors‘ concerns about more relaxed county regulations. "We want to be able to work together," she said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times