By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
Wineries and wine-tasting rooms can now be operated in rural agricultural areas of the county after the Rowan County Board of Commissioners approved zoning text amendments at its meeting last week.
And the board unanimously approved an ordinance banning registered sex offenders from parks, libraries and the county fairgrounds.
Commissioners had unanimously approved the sex offender ordinance at the April 7 meeting.
County Attorney Jay Dees, who has worked on the ordinance to make sure it’s legally bulletproof, found a potential flaw.
Vice Chairman Chad Mitchell was suffering from a virus and left the April 7 meeting for a few minutes. Only four commissioners voted on the ordinance.
Reviewing the county’s procedure for adopting ordinances, Dees found that if all members were not present, the ordinance had be to be considered at the next regular meeting and voted on again.
All five commissioners voted in favor of the ordinance.
There are currently an estimated 188 registered sex offenders in the county.
An exemption is provided in case a library is used for voting. Registered sex offenders may enter the area for voting.
The ordinance will be posted at the main entrance of parks and recreation facilities, the fairgrounds and libraries within 30 days.
The county will depend on staff members at the facilities and the public to contact law enforcement about violations.
Commissioners approved the winery and wine-tasting room text amendments on a 4-1 vote, with commissioner Jim Sides voting against.
At the April 7 meeting, Sides made the motion to put the winery issue on the board’s agenda and hold a public hearing. At that time, he said he would vote against the amendments because a state Alcoholic Beverage Control permit is required.
Two current producers of grapes sought the changes to allow them to build wineries and have wine-tasting rooms.
Planner Andy Goodall cited the growth of the wine industry in North Carolina, now the 10th largest producer in the U.S.
He also cited the increase in tourism related to wineries.
Under the approved text, wine-tasting rooms must be operated in association with an existing vineyard located on the same property or on adjacent property under the same ownership.
Wineries and wine-tasting rooms are already allowed in commercial and industrial zoning.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com.