Wolves & People

No matter your opinion of these guys, this is a pretty crappy situation for W&P:

Brewery Appeal Held Open
By Nicole Montesanto, Staff Writer, McMinnville News Register, Friday 1-20-19

The Yamhill County commissioners have continued until Feb. 16 deliberation on a Newberg brewery’s desire to stage up to 18 food and beer tasting events annually.

The planning director authorized the series under the county’s agritourism ordinance, but neighbor David Wall appealed to the commissioners, who held a hearing Thursday.

The planning department will keep the hearing record open for submission of written testimony until 5 p.m. Jan. 26, and rebuttal to that testimony until 5 p.m. Feb. 2. Testimony may be mailed to 525 N.E. Fourth St., McMinnville, OR, 97128, or e-mailed to [email protected], referencing docket number E-06-16.

The application was submitted by Christian DeBenedetti for a brewery operating in a historic barn on his family farm, located 30203 N.E. Benjamin Road.

DeBenedetti said he has 10 acres of hazelnuts, which are sold at a farm stand and used in the brewery’s farmhouse ale. He said the farm also grows plums and hops for use in the brewing operation, and cultivates “house yeast” from locally grown plums and rose hips.

In the future, he said, he hopes to grow more fruit for use in brewery products. He said that matches the intent of the county’s agritourism ordinance — encouraging and showcasing value-added on-site uses of local farm products.

The opposition was led by Wall, who moved earlier this year from California, and was distressed to find a brewery operating in such a rural, agricultural setting.

In rambling testimony consuming more than 45 minutes, Wall accused county officials of colluding with DeBenedetti, questioned whether his brew was safe to consume, questioned whether his farm was actually engaged in agriculture on a significant scale, suggested his farm might be lying about its hazelnut production, speculated patrons high on alcohol and drugs might crash their cars, called the county’s filing fee for appeals “un-American,” suggested the farm might be violating the Federal Clean Water Act and leveled various other allegations and accusations.

Wall said he intended to be neighborly, and held no malice toward DeBenedetti. But he vowed, “Make no mistake, I’m not going to have a bar across the street. I’m not going to have 250 cars going in and out of the parking lot.”

Two other neighbors also testified in opposition, saying they were concerned primarily about traffic and fire safety. They were joined by a representative of the land use activist group Friends of Yamhill County.

DeBenedetti told commissioners his brewery has had its water tested by a certified laboratory, passed a detailed safety inspection by the state Department of Agriculture, passed inspection by the county Health Department and obtained approval by the state Liquor Control Commission to allow minors on site. It had also been inspected and approved by the fire department, he said.

He said he and his staff have undergone training in alcohol service, and do not serve intoxicated people. He said the access road could use improvement, and he is committed to facilitating that any way he can.

 

Californian NIMBY, I am Jack's complete lack of surprise.

 

What an asshole. I'd be curious to see if they had the same complaints if it were a winery instead of a brewery.

I really hope W&P wins.

 

This section slayed me:

The opposition was led by Wall, who moved earlier this year from California, and was distressed to find a brewery operating in such a rural, agricultural setting.

In rambling testimony consuming more than 45 minutes, Wall accused county officials of colluding with DeBenedetti, questioned whether his brew was safe to consume, questioned whether his farm was actually engaged in agriculture on a significant scale, suggested his farm might be lying about its hazelnut production, speculated patrons high on alcohol and drugs might crash their cars, called the county’s filing fee for appeals “un-American,” suggested the farm might be violating the Federal Clean Water Act and leveled various other allegations and accusations.

I don't see this going Wall's way. Seeking arbitration and then accusing the arbiters is gutsy, but that's because it usually doesn't end well.

 

Yep. Wall comes off sounding paranoid and a bit unstable.

 

You are being too nice, he sounds batshit crazy. His type is the reason i will never live in a neighborhood with CC&Rs again.

He forgot to mention white supremacists and craft beer. Rookie

 

Some peoples children......

 

https://newsregister.com/article?ar...peal-held-open--1484874885--24764--1home-news

Check out the comments. Sounds like it's not just this one guy but also the "Friends of Yamhill County" stirring up shit and opposing W&P.

 

Hopefully it all works out well for W&P, but I've seen it happen twice when I lived on Kitsap County, WA where the County sided with the complaining neighbor. When I moved over to Renton I was kind of surprised no neighbors had complained about Strong Arm Brewing being located in a residential area, but I now see they're shut down until King County approves them to operate in a residential area.

W&P should have the argument that there are wineries near them, so what makes them any different than a brewery. If anything I can see them being allowed to brew there, but will have to close their tasting room. Hopefully that doesn't even happen though. It's a cool setting and would be sad if it had to close.

 

From talking to the bartender there, it sounds like the brewery itself isn't at risk - only the tap room and possibly only the ability to get event permits/sell food on-site.

 

Did you ask them about Jake and if anyone replaced him?

 

So basically the new neighbor doesn't like other people being near him. Got it.

 

I didn't, kinda forgot about that whole deal. Will try to remember next time.

New batch of Tractor Pull is pretty nice, sweeter than before and clocking in at 8% now. Can't wait to eventually try the BA version.

 

Even my wife liked it there and she's not a beer drinker. She thought it was a cool place.

 

The "incoherent 45 minute rambling" guy must live right next to them. That's the only thing I can figure out.

 

There's also a crazy lady on their FB page saying she doesn't want a "tavern" across from her house

 

I was out there recently. Christian said that they had some upcoming releases - one of which was a collaboration with Jester King. But haven't heard anything. The only real information from them is usually their Instagram feed.