Part 5: Fox Hill Vineyard Tasting Room Proposal Faces Legal Hurdles in Chatham

Public hearing set for January 22 on application that raises questions about state licensing and zoning

CHATHAM NY — A public hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, January 22, on Fox Hill Vineyard’s application to operate a wine tasting room on property located in the town’s RL-2 zoning district. The application has drawn opposition from residents who argue the proposal does not comply with New York State farm winery licensing requirements or local zoning law.

The property in question was purchased as a residential home and is located in the RL-2 (Rural Land 2) zoning district. The property was zoned RL-2 at the time of purchase, meaning the applicants were on constructive notice of all applicable zoning restrictions when they acquired it. After acquiring the property, the applicants planted grapevines with the stated intention of eventually producing wine. However, the applicants have acknowledged that Fox Hill Vineyard does not currently produce grapes in sufficient quantity to manufacture wine at the minimum volumes required for licensure as a farm winery under New York State law. Despit…