Greene County planning commission backs tighter agritourism rules after residents complain of noise, traffic and public‑safety strain

The Greene County Planning Commission on Dec. 17 voted to recommend ordinance changes intended to regulate agritourism operations — including wineries, breweries, distilleries and event venues — while preserving opportunities for farm businesses.

Planning staff recommended, and commissioners approved sending to the Board of Supervisors, a package that cuts the by‑right maximum attendance for agritourism events from 400 to 150 people, limits by‑right events to 30 per year, changes how building footprints are measured (4,000‑square‑foot footprint, no more than two stories) and requires a special use permit for outdoor amplified music in many cases.

County planner Peter Bridal outlined the staff view of the compromise. “The recommendation that the planning commission has come to … drops the maximum number of attendees to 150,” Bridal said in his presentation, adding that the package also tightens rules on parking, lighting, restrooms and emergency access.

Why it matters: residents who live near event venues said weeks of loud amplified music, concentrated traffic and insufficient enforcement have degraded their quality of life and may stress emergency services. Dave Johnson told…