Pickens County OKs conditional use for winery events on 30.61-acre parcel

The Pickens County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a conditional use permit allowing a vineyard to expand event activities — including small weddings, festivals and music performances — on a 30.61-acre parcel identified as parcel 002001007.

A planning staff member told the board that the site is in the county’s agricultural district and is designated in the comprehensive plan as rural residential. “Staff recommends conditional approval for winery related activities on a tract of approximately 31.61 acres,” the staff member said, and listed conditions including working with staff on safety and parking, limiting attendance to the maximum capacity determined by the fire marshal and requiring that amplified sound associated with events cease by 10 p.m.

The applicant, identified in the hearing as Charles, said the winery already operates and has a building permit and certificate of occupancy: the permit was issued in 2022 and final inspection and certificate of occupancy followed in January 2023, the record shows. He told the commissioners the operation buys grapes from nearby sources and that about “40% of that is from Georgia grapes.” He described a proposed event program of roughly four festivals per year, and “maybe 10 to 12 weddings a year,” saying the winery plans mostly small weddings and occasional festivals with food trucks.

Charles also described the winery’s typical noise and cleanup practices. “We usually close any activities by 8:30 because we still have to clean up. We always clean up after any event,” he said, adding that music typically stops earlier than the county condition: “Music stops at 8:30 for us.” He described regular weekend acoustic music hours — “We do acoustic music Saturday and Sundays, and that's from 2 to 5 on Sunday and 2:30 till 5:30 on Saturdays” — and said the facility has not received residential complaints; the nearest residence, a trailer on Jones Mountain Road, is about 800 feet from the winery and is closer to road noise than to event noise, he said.

During the public hearing the planning staff summarized the property history: a rezone in 2024 for a six-acre portion, and an additional lot split in November 2024. The staff presentation said the proposed activities are intended to “enhance this character while safeguarding scenic views and natural resources” and recommended the conditional use with the stated conditions.

A commissioner moved to accept the staff recommendation for approval; another commissioner seconded the motion. The chair asked for those in favor to raise their hands and the motion carried. The board closed the hearing and moved on to public comment.

The approval allows event activity under the board-imposed conditions; the staff conditions recorded in the hearing require the applicant to coordinate with county staff on safety and parking, to adhere to the fire marshal’s maximum attendance determination, and to end amplified sound by 10 p.m. The applicant stated his own practice is to cease music earlier and to finish cleanup by 9 p.m. The hearing record contains no roll-call vote or individual vote tally.

The county staff and the applicant indicated the site will remain subject to applicable county codes and any permits required for events. The record does not specify additional enforcement steps, review dates or monitoring requirements beyond the stated conditions.