BOC Balks at Winery Approval

At its March 27th meeting, Commission Chair Bill Simonds made a motion to table the approval for the Little House Farm Winery for a second timeThe motion was passed unanimously. When the approval for the winery was first presented to the public earlier this month, the approval was also tabled.

During the March 13th meeting, Simonds said he wanted more time to go through the paperwork, noting the Health and Fire Department had yet to sign the documents. Reading from the paperwork, Simonds added that they (the would-be operators) must be residents of Fannin County, where, at the time he noted they currently had a Marietta address. Post one commissioner Garnett Webb also had concerns about the documents.

“He states,”

Webb said referring to the document,

“‘yes’ that he will have some live entertainment.”

Webb said he had reservations about this part of the document and, as such, would like have more time to look it over. Due to such discrepancies, Simonds recommended to table the item until next meeting.

Given the two week period, the board was expected to render a decision on the approval o the winery documents at the March 27th meeting. However, a decision on the documents was tabled once again.

Revisiting the issue on the 27th, Simonds said that at the time of the meeting, they (the would-be operators of the winery) did not have a local agent. Now, though, he said they have a local agent.

“He went through the procedures that he’s supposed to go through,”

Simonds added evasively. However, the chairman said he would like to look at the winery and said that the board of commissioners will act on the approval next meeting.

When FYN asked why the approval was tabled again, Simonds said curtly,

“We as a board decided that’s what we’ll do.”

The Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the winery approval at its next mee