Director's hearing reviews Plot Plan 240015 for 'Haven Vineyards'; staff recommends mitigated negative declaration

John Hildebrand, the county planning director and hearing officer, opened the Director's Hearing on March 30, 2026, and heard a staff presentation on Plot Plan 240015, a proposal for a class 2 winery on 10.15 gross acres in the Southwest area plan/Temecula Valley Wine Country policy area.

Todd Carpenter, project planner, told the hearing that the site is east of Cotre Alegria, south of Camino Del Vino and west of De Portola Road, is zoned Wine Country Winery and is surrounded by agricultural and rural residential uses. Carpenter described three proposed buildings: Building A, a 2,740-square-foot tasting room with indoor tasting area, two restrooms and an office; Building B, a 3,740-square-foot production building with a barrel room, a deli kitchen under 500 square feet, storage and a covered production patio; and Building C for storage and trash enclosure. The project design includes 59 parking spaces (including two ADA and two EV stalls). The planting plan calls for 6.01 acres (69.4%) in vineyards, 0.49 acres (5.6%) in olive orchard, 0.03 acres (0.6%) in ornamental landscaping and 2.12 acres (24.5%) left as natural hillside, which staff said meets the vineyard planting requirement.

Carpenter said public hearing notices were mailed to 26 property owners within a 250-foot radius and planning staff received one comment in opposition. "Staff recommends that the planning director take the following actions, adopt a mitigated negative declaration for environmental assessment number CEQ220067 based on the findings and conclusions provided in the initial study attached here too, and the conclusion that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment, and approved plot plan 240015 subject to the advisory notification document, conditions of approval, and based upon the findings and conclusions provided in the staff report," Carpenter said.

Hildebrand asked for the proposed business name; Carpenter and the record identified it as Haven Vineyards. The hearing officer also asked whether the parcel is under an agricultural contract; staff said it is not. Hildebrand raised noise as a recurring issue with wineries in the area and asked whether amplified outdoor sound was planned. Carpenter replied, "There's no amplified sound."

Applicant representative Rick Neugebauer of RTN Development told the hearing that he spoke with the resident who submitted the opposition comment. Neugebauer relayed that the resident "is really concerned that there's another winery going in across the street from me," and said the resident actually lives on a different street and on a cul-de-sac near another local winery owner's home. Neugebauer said the applicant does not plan outside entertainment or amplified music at that location and noted existing on-site vineyards have been in place for roughly 20 years. He added the winery will likely procure additional grapes under contract with local growers. Neugebauer confirmed the applicant "agrees to the conditions of approval" and commended staff for their assistance in preparing the project.

Staff confirmed there were no registered public speakers. Hildebrand opened and closed the public hearing during the meeting and stated, given the consistency with surrounding uses and staff testimony, "I move to approve this item per staff's recommendation." The transcript records the motion by the hearing officer but does not record a second or a vote tally or an explicit final announced decision in the record provided.

The hearing was then closed and adjourned. The record does not specify subsequent procedural steps or the formal final action (for example, a recorded vote or signed approval) following the hearing.

Proper names and technical details in the staff presentation — including the CEQA filing number CEQ220067, Plot Plan 240015, the Haven Vineyards name, building dimensions, parking counts, and vineyard planting percentages — were reported during the hearing and are included above.