Planning commission opens public hearing on zoning change to allow wineries in rural and RL districts

St. Mary’s County Planning Commission opened a public hearing April 27 on a proposed zoning text amendment that would expressly allow wineries in the Rural Preservation District (RPD) and the Residential Low‑density (RL) zones, add a definition of “winery” to chapter 90 of the zoning ordinance, and create site‑specific standards for processing and limited on‑site events.

The amendment was introduced by Shay Shelley, a county planning staff member, who said the change would add wineries to “use type 2, agricultural industry minor” and add standards to section 51.3. Shelley read a proposed definition into the record: “a producing vineyard or orchard with facilities for processing and fermenting grapes and other fruits into wine. Includes bottling, aging, storing, and shipping of wine. In the RPD, it may include administrative office functions for the winery, incidental retail sales of wine, and related promotional items, wine tasting events, promotional events, incidental to the winery, and food service.”

Why it matters: staff and industry presenters said the change is intended to recognize…