ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Elk Grove Planning Commission reviewed a request on Nov. 6 for a proposal that would allow an “outdoor event center” at the Bartholomew Vineyards grounds, home to Christopher Cellars winery.

The Bartholomew Winery Amendment Project sought to modify current codes as the site lies within agricultural and residential zoning districts that do not allow outdoor event center use. “Outdoor Event Center” was described in the meeting as an outdoor facility for public assembly and group entertainment, including those for weddings, concerts and similar entertainment.

As part of the request, city staff also recommended a conditional use permit that, if approved, would expand the winery’s capabilities beyond existing allowances by adding the event center designation within those districts. The changes would give the winery the ability to host more events with larger guest capacities, use amplified music and extend on-site wine tasting hours as well as events to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

The proposal drew opposition from nearby residents, with a total of 18 public comment letters submitted against the project raising concerns about the increased number of events, the use of amplified music, and potential traffic and safety impacts.

Under current permits, the winery can host up to 24 typical winery events each year on Fridays, Mondays, weekends and holidays. Events are limited to 50 guests and only acoustic music has been allowed. Typical winery events are events for marketing and fundraising for the winery, such as wine tours, winemaking dinners, harvest experiences and dinners in the vineyard.

The amendment and permit would increase the limit to as many as 66 events annually (typical regular winery events and outdoor events) with up to 125 guests, not including staff. Events could be scheduled any day of the week and amplified performances would be permitted until 10 p.m.

To address noise, staff presented a study that found sound levels would vary, depending on event type, but were expected to meet city standards. Recommended conditions were included to ensure compliance.

Among the opposition, the Sheldon Community Association requested that the Rural Community Plan Area be exempt from the amendment. While a few parcels in that area fall within the project boundaries, city senior planner Sarah Kirchgessner responded, none currently contain wineries or agricultural tourism uses.

Commissioner Suman Singha asked whether other agricultural parcels could pursue outdoor event center use if the amendment passed. Kirchgessner said the change would apply only to agricultural tourism operations such as wineries and would not extend to standard crop production.

Singha continued the discussion by adding, “So if there’s a permanent roadside crop stand so if I’m growing vegetable crops, that would qualify as agricultural tourism if I’m selling it from my little stand.”

Kirchgessner agreed and noted that any such use would need to be on parcels of 10 acres or more and would require commission approval of a conditional use permit.

Singha also questioned the methodology of the noise study, noting that the simulation did not account for the potential noise of guests singing or dancing “possibly under the influence of alcohol,” which he said could elevate overall sound levels.

The audio engineer consultant for the project said those conditions were not simulated but explained that past studies show guest noise typically falls below the dominant amplified source and that the study focused only on amplified sound.

Residents who live near the winery urged commissioners to reject the proposal. Longtime resident Chandler Bender presented a petition signed by 44 neighbors and described daily impacts on those living closest to the site.

 

Pictured within the yellow border is the location of Bartholomew Vinyeards, located off of Elk Grove Boulevard and Bradshaw Road. Photo courtesy of City of Elk Grove

Bender said that he was a proud neighbor to Christopher Cellars, adding that many neighbors share that view and are active wine club members there. However, Bender said, residents have already experienced amplified music disturbing their neighborhood.

“It frustrates me a little bit on the sound study because just walking over to our neighborhood and speaking to us, we could have really communicated well how the sound affects where we live,” Bender said.

Bender noted other event centers in the area, such as Adkins Vineyard and McConnell Vineyard, are not located next to residential homes.

“Imagine you living next door to your neighbor and they’re asking to host 66 events a year in their backyard with amplified music until 10 p.m. I believe you would not enjoy that,” he said.

Another resident, Pam Donnelly, who lives directly behind the winery, shared a similar experience.

“The winery is fine but the music is so loud all of us have to literally close our doors even in the summer to keep the noise out… We hear the music distinctly inside the house; I even hear people’s voices inside,” Donnelly said.

Applicant representative Darren Wilson responded to the concerns raised and said the number of complaints was surprising given that only one documented noise complaint was filed in 2023.

“I would think with 18 comment letters and various 44 petition (signatures), we would have a code enforcement case opened up on this,” Wilson said. He added that the amendment includes additional protections such as the decibel limit and an on-site contact for neighbors.

Commissioner Sandra Poole asked about comments regarding past use of amplified music at the winery, to which Christopher Mora of Christopher Cellars spoke to confirm those claims.

Mora explained that the business opened just before the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused financial challenges when events were prohibited, and wine to-go sales were insufficient. He requested the property owner obtain a tasting room permit to help boost revenue but Mora admitted he was unaware of the music condition (acoustic only) and believed amplified music was allowed when the permit was issued.

Mora said the sound study made the business more aware of the effect of amplified music used during previous events.

“This new policy, we already have a meter, we are already talking about training the staff, we’re putting in a total protocol,” Mora said, adding that sound checks will be completed before musicians perform as a measure to address neighbors’ concerns are being considered.

Vice Chair Oscar O’Con stood firm with keeping the events to only 24 a year. O’Con said that residents told him that was one of the main concerns. Chair Juan Fernandez argued for the higher number to help as the winery is “a small business trying to get by and are bringing revenue to the city.”

Ultimately, the commission approved the project with several conditions. The winery can hold up to 36 typical winery events each year from Mondays through Thursdays, only non-amplified acoustic music is allowed, with events ending by 8 p.m. Six events with amplified music is permitted on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and on Mondays when they fall on a holiday, with a maximum of 125 guests. Only one amplified event is allowed per week, along with six additional acoustic-only events.

For the outdoor event center use, the commission approved one outdoor event per month, permitting events to run until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and until 8 p.m. on Sundays, totaling 12 events a year. Commissioners also approved excluding all parcels within the Rural Community Plan Area from the amendment.

The project was approved in a 4-1 vote, with vice chair O’Con opposed.