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Winery given chance to get established in Cornell

Winery given chance to get established in Cornell Winery given chance to get established in Cornell
Dan Osborn (far left) answered questions and addressed concerns from Cornell’s Board of Zoning Appeals March 25, after applying for a Conditional Use Permit to change his agriculturally zoned property into a winery business. Photo by Ginna Young By Ginna Young

It took an additional meeting to get everything settled to their satisfaction, but the Cornell Board of Zoning Appeals took action March 25, to decide if they would issue a Conditional Use Permit for agiculturally zoned property at 921 South Eighth Street.

As the owner of the Wisconsin Veteran Farm, LLC, Dan Osborn would like to operate a winery on his property, and is proposing to commercially manufacture and bottle alcoholic beverages, by producing and blending small-batch, handcrafted, homemade fruit wine in the basement of the residential building.

Osborn would like to have the first floor of the residence used as a holding/tasting area for the cased wine, and had previously asked that the adjoining pole shed be used as an outside storage building/tasting/retail room. The barn on the property was also planned to be utilized for wood and log furniture manufacture, until such time as the building is renovated into an event barn for the wine business.

However, after a meeting March 22, the board decreed there were too many requests on the permit and that the winery should be the sole focus for the time being. Osborn agreed, for the time being, to only look for permission to run the winery and get the 800 gallons of wine waiting to be bottled, for sale at local businesses.

Matt Boulding, assistant Cornell fire chief, asked if the board approved the permit, how soon Osborn would look at starting his actual winery. Osborn says he has talked to agents with the Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Office of Criminal Investigation, and that it would be a couple months for sure, before the winery was up and running, what with background checks and additional licensing.

“Just to even do the bottling, is going to take a couple months to get that approval, if this passes,” said Osborn.

Boulding said he wants to Osborn to understand, that before the winery process starts, the dwelling has to be up to fire code. Osborn said he understands that and that he may be able to offer curbside pick-up, as it could be some time before the building is up to specifications.

Osborn said that’s also why he wants to have the pole shed as a retail space, because the house lacks handicapped accessibility.

Although there were some at the previous meeting who voiced concerns over the proposed business, none came forward at the recent meeting to express opinions, other than those in support of the new venture.

“For Cornell, for small business and from experience, I know veterans will back veterans,” said Board of Zoning Appeals member Lyle Adrian, “and there will be more people coming to town, hopefully, to support our other businesses.”

Dave DeJongh, city administrator, says he is for small business, as well, but needs to make sure there is harmony in a zoned area, as he doesn’t want the neighboring properties to feel like they have things located next to them that are undesired or that their property value would decrease.

Boulding did question what will happen to the free range chickens on Osborn’s property, as the fire department is not willing to take a chance with heat lamps provided for the animals. Boulding said it would be different if it was a farming operation, but when Osborn changes to a business condition, that’s a whole other story.

Osborn said he is willing to fence off a place behind the pole shed for the livestock or if necessary, he will get rid of the animals.

In looking at requirements for the permit, DeJongh says in strictly talking about a winery, traffic should not be an issue, but questioned problems that could arise if Osborn wants to hold a mud festival like he did last year, with hundreds of people attending.

“The mud bog is probably not going to exist, due to several different reasons,” said Osborn, adding that he would still need approval from the city council to hold that event.

Osborn may have live music as part of the winery business, but said that is down the road.

“I’m months and years away from stuff like that,” he said.

Mainly, Osborn wants to get his wine into stores and create specialty wines to bring people into town. Osborn said, if needed, he can come back and request additional conditions as the business grows.

Floyd Hickethier, Board of Zoning Appeals chair, questioned if there will be a bathroom for public access, but De-Jongh said the city can leave that to the state to determine. Osborn says he is trying to update the bathroom already on the premises, but may need to bring in a porta potty from a local business, depending on state regulations.

Hickethier also asked if there is ample parking and Osborn reported there is a 50x200-foot gravel drive area that would provide parking, with good access for turning around to exit the property. Osborn mentioned that after there was an unoffi cial detour of traffic last summer, from culvert replacements on State Hwy. 27, Osborn gets a lot of vehicles on his road as a shortcut and is something he would like to capitalize on.

Hickethier said he needed to make sure emergency personnel will have access for any emergency, which Osborn agreed that is a certainty. DeJongh also questioned lighting as a potential issue, but Osborn said there is already an outside street light. In the future, he may have lights on the deck he wants attached to the winery shop, but said there would be nothing to keep the neighbors up all night with neon, flashing lights.

“Are you going to be the owner of this business?” asked Cornell Fire Chief Denny Klass.

Osborn said although the wine-making is run on a volunteer basis, he is the owner, as he wants to get the business going fully, then will need to look into hiring help, W-2s and health insurance.

“Ideally, yes, when revenue comes in and everything is established, I will take on partners,” said Osborn.

He says there are a few “silent partners” who got him started and once they retire, they may like to step in and help with the business.

“I’m just trying to teach everybody else how to make homemade wine,” said Osborn. “That’s all it was and a little hobby turned into something good.”

Cornell Police Chief Brian Hurt asked about what Osborn will do if beer and malt beverages are asked to be served on the property.

“Because, you’re only licensed on the property for wine,” said Hurt, “so now you’re going to have outdoor music… I would assume you’re only going to be serving wine, as it (beer) would be outside the scope of your licensing.”

Osborn said that is where a Class B Liquor License falls into play and that he would have a sign posted, stating no outside liquor can be brought on the property.

“I don’t believe you’re going to have any type of alcohol, other than your wine, on that premises, even for personal consumption,” said Hurt.

With their questions answered, the board moved ahead with approving Osborn’s request. Four voted in favor of allowing the Conditional Use Permit (Adrian, Dan Goller, De-Jongh, Hickethier) and one opposed (John Smith).

DeJongh said, since they are dealing with a winery only, that he would not like to see outdoor music or mud festivals, other than a small gathering that falls in with entertainment provided by the winery. That subdued entertainment must also be done by the 9 p.m. limit for hours of winery operation, set by the state.

Hurt asked what the limit of people would be for such an event.

“Inside the building, it’ll have to be set by the state building inspector for occupancy,” said Boulding.

With a possible deck area outdoors, Hurt said it is understandable that it will be like a fenced in patio area at bars.

DeJongh said he also wants to see documentation filed at the city office of proper permitting from all parties involved. Adrian says he can see that a winery will bring a lot of business to the city.

“It’s going to be on him (Osborn), to follow through with everything and he knows the state can shut him down that quick, if he screws up,” said Adrian.

Goller said while it seemed as though the cart came before the horse, he is confident Osborn now has a good plan in place.

“This is it, no mistakes,” said Goller.

Hurt says that is why he wanted to make sure everything is in order, so it doesn’t reflect negatively on Osborn’s business.

“I am very supportive of having all new businesses in the city, I just want to make sure you don’t have any issues,” said Hurt.

Hickethier added his hopes that the business succeeds.

“We need small businesses in town,” said Hickethier.

The permit was approved verbally and will be up for an official vote April 12, at a separate Board of Zoning Appeals hearing.

DeJongh says he likes the idea that much of the fruit is grown on the property and turned into wine, and referenced the city’s current brew pub, which operates successfully, drawing people from miles around.

“If your operation turns out something like that, I think it was a good decision.”

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