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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW John Thiry, from Oak Knoll to today ... Respected Medford firefighter's life cut short by lung damage from 2010 Oak Knoll fire ... Taking it to the top ... John Thiry, from Oak Knoll to today ... Respected Medford firefighter's life cut short by lung damage from 2010 Oak Knoll fire ... Taking it to the top ... OUR VIEW Our View: Food, wine and land-use planning Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jul. 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Oregonians are justifiably proud of their system of land-use planning that protects farmland by concentrating non-farm development in urban areas. But even the best laws must be revisited from time to time as the economy changes and new agriculture-based industries emerge. The burgeoning winery industry is one example. The Legislature has attempted to set limits on winery events and operations, but it may be time to take yet another look. One local winery, Belle Fiore outside of Ashland, finds itself the target of a citation from Jackson County for operating a restaurant without approval and by not confining its offerings to prepackaged food, as required under laws governing wineries on rural farmland. At the same time, the winery's owners say the Oregon Liquor Control Commission is pressuring them to provide substantial food offerings to customers because they are serving alcohol. Besides the conflicting messages from different government agencies, the winery faces resentment from restaurant operators in town, who must pay market-rate property taxes and other fees, while agricultural land is taxed at a lower rate. Lawmakers addressed the issue of events at wineries in 2013. The law that resulted specifically prohibits operating a full-service restaurant at a rural winery, but exactly what that means is the subject of some debate. Belle Fiore representatives have insisted the operation is not a full-service restaurant, but they also say the line between acceptable wine and food pairings and a prohibited "restaurant" is not entirely clear under the 2013 law. Belle Fiore may be one of the first wineries in the area to expand well beyond fruit and cheese plates, but it won't be the last. The wine industry is growing rapidly, and the region is becoming a destination for wine enthusiasts from far and wide. The specter of dozens of full-blown restaurants dotting the countryside seems unlikely to happen. Even in town, restaurants are a tough business to operate at a profit, and many fail. Belle Fiore owner Edward Kerwin says the winery pays taxes at the same rate as it would in town, but that's not thee case for others. It would hardly be fair for a winery to run a restaurant while enjoying a tax advantage unavailable to competing restaurants. Wooldridge Creek winery owner Kara Olmo, who started an on-site creamery to make cheese to pair with wine, says the answer may lie in the conditional use permit process, which she followed to make sure she was in compliance with land-use rules. A conditional use process would allow neighbors and other affected parties to raise concerns. Meanwhile, the Legislature should take another look at the issue and clarify what it meant by a full-service restaurant. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501