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Zoning commission approves Rosedale Farms tasting room in existing winery
Summary
The commission approved special exception ZC26-03 allowing on-site serving and sale of wine at Rosedale Farms; staff supported the request and conditioned approval on conformance with the application and required permits. Vote: 6-0.
The Simsbury Zoning Commission voted 6-0 on February 18 to approve application ZC26-03, allowing Rosedale Farms Real Estate LLC (owner) to serve and sell wine at its on-site wine production facility. Staff framed the application as a change in use within an existing building and recommended approval after running the request against special-exception criteria (orderly development, property values, public safety, traffic and landscaping).
George (staff) told commissioners the request "meets all the criteria" and that the activity is consistent with modern farm operations that include agritourism and retail. Applicant TJ Donahue said the tasting area will use the same parking and existing structures and asked the commission to grant the special exception. "We're very hopeful that you'll be able to grant this request," Donahue said.
No members of the public spoke at the hearing. After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve ZC26-03 "upon finding the application substantially meets the requirements of section 12 of the zoning regulations," adding standard conditions: the project must be developed in substantial conformance with the application (CC26-3, dated 02/02/2026) and all building and zoning permits must be obtained prior to starting work. The motion passed 6-0.
The approval authorizes on-site tasting and retail sale as a permitted special-exception use in the existing facility; the commission recorded the conditions and required permits as part of the approval.
