Planners OK expansion plans for 2 wineries
Ramona Community Planning Group gave unanimous thumbs up to two boutique wineries that want to move to the small winery tier, and to two road safety projects during its June 2 meeting.
Altipiano Vineyard and Winery and Vineyard Grant James will need administrative permits to move up to the next tier in the county’s four-tiered winery ordinance.
Although Altipiano is at 20365 Camino Del Aguila, off Highland Valley Road, in unincorporated Escondido, it is in the Ramona planning area. Owner Peter Clarke said they are not seeking to do events but want to source more high-quality out-of-county grapes to make more wine. He would also like to allow 24-passenger vans to possibly reduce traffic. The boutique tier limits vans to 15 passengers.
Noting that his winery is four houses back from the main road, Clarke said, “Our primary objective is keeping our neighbors happy.”
Vineyard Grant James at 25260 East Old Julian Highway would like to hold events and accommodate more people. Owner Susanne Sapier said the boutique tier only allows 20 seats in the tasting room.
“I’m looking to increase the seating capacity,” she said.
Sapier added that she would to have weddings, lightly amplified music, catered food, and expand hours, possibly concluding events at 9 p.m. and allowing 1-1/2 hours for cleanup.
Planning group chair Jim Piva said keeping the music “lightly” amplified is key so there are no complaints about noise traveling in that area.
The planning group recommended approval of administrative permits for both wineries.
In road safety issues, the planners gave the green light for extending red curbing on San Vicente Road at Country Villas 2 in San Diego Country Estates. Sight issues were brought to the planning group last month following the death of Sharon Blodgett, who was killed in a collision while attempting to make a left turn from Green Haven Lane onto San Vicente Road. Many of the condominium residents say vehicles parked on San Vicente Road impedes line of sight.
Murali Pasumarthi, a county engineer, worked with the Country Villas 2 homeowners association and the Estates homeowners association, recommending red curbing be installed on San Vicente Road at Country Villa Road, 235 west and 65 feet east of the intersection; at Green Haven Lane West, 235 feet west of the intersection; and at Green Haven Lane East, an additional 100 feet on the west side of the intersection. Pasumarthi also recommended 70 feet of the oleanders on the west side be removed at San Vicente and Country Villa roads.
He said other issues such as speeding will be addressed at a future date, and the county will explore such options of yellow flashing beacons or vehicle speed feedback signs.
The planning group also supported a county recommendation for a four-way stop at Seventh and E streets, along with the Transportation and Trails Subcommittee’s request for yellow crosswalks at that location. T & T chair Jim Cooper said the intersection is by the Boys and Girls Club and is heavily used by schoolchildren.