Resident seeks approval to sell limited homemade wine; planning commission weighing code revision for historic accessory structures

At a public hearing item, a resident identified as Frank described operating a small-scale wine-making hobby at 525 Rock Raymond Road and asked whether the township would permit retail, on-site sales in a limited, no‑impact fashion. Frank said the operation uses small equipment (glass carboys, corking machines) and that his intent is a modest side business, not a full-time commercial enterprise.

Luke Grevin, speaking for township staff, explained the current zoning distinction between "no-impact" and "major" home occupations, noting one trigger is whether the use is in an accessory structure. Grevin said the Planning Commission is preparing a red-line ordinance change to allow no-impact home occupations in accessory structures on historic resources and outlined the Act 247 referral and county-comment steps. As Grevin summarized the schedule: "That red line will be due to them when they meet in late August, which means it would be on the planning commission for early September." He estimated the administrative process, including county review and advertisement, could take roughly 90 days before adoption.

Supervisors discussed alternatives to a case-by-case petition to the zoning officer and suggested expanding potential relief beyond historic properties to other accessory dwellings. The conversation closed with staff and the planning subcommittee taking supervisors' comments into account as they finalize the proposed code change.