[Ord. 95-07, 12/14/1995; as added by Ord. 2009-06, 9/16/2009, § 2; and as amended by Ord. 2011-07, 4/20/2011, §§ 1 — 3; and by Ord. 2016-06, 7/20/2016]
1. Limited winery and brewery uses, as permitted by the Pennsylvania Liquor Code, shall be permitted by conditional use as accessory and subordinate to agriculture on the same parcel of land which is permitted for and being utilized for agriculture in any zoning district where agriculture is a permitted use. Certain public and retail uses shall be permitted as accessory to a winery or brewery pursuant to the regulations set forth below:
A. Minimum Producing Crop Requirement:
(1) At least two acres of the lot on which a winery is located shall be planted with a vineyard for the production of grapes or other crop used for the production of wine by the operator of the accessory use.
(2) At least two acres of the lot on which a brewery is located shall be planted with a crop used for the production of malt or brewed beverages by the operator of the accessory use.
(3) A winery or brewery accessory to agriculture shall only be permitted on a parcel containing five or more acres.
B. Activities Permitted.
(1) After obtaining all necessary zoning, health, firesafety, and building permits and/or licenses, a winery or brewery accessory to agriculture may engage in the following activities:
(a) Wholesale and retail sales of products permitted to be offered for sale on licensed premises under the Pennsylvania Liquor Code governing limited wineries and breweries.
(b) Tastings of permitted products.
(d) Events, which shall include parties, weddings, dinners, receptions, musical performances, educational seminars, meetings, workshops and promotional events.
(2) All outdoor events shall end by 11:00 p.m.
(3) All activities associated with the winery or brewery use, including events, shall comply with all applicable regulations governing limited wineries and breweries pursuant to the Pennsylvania Liquor Code.
C. Events. A winery or brewery accessory to agriculture shall be permitted to hold indoor and outdoor events in accordance with the following standards:
(1) In order to hold an outdoor event with more than 100 attendees, the parcel on which the winery or brewery accessory to agriculture is located must be a minimum of 10 acres in size. The maximum allowed attendance for an indoor event will be in accordance with applicable maximum occupancy requirements for the building used for the winery or brewery accessory to agriculture use.
(2) No outdoor activity/event or temporary structure associated with an event may be located within 50 feet of any property line. Any outdoor activity/event or temporary structure associated with an event, located less than 100 feet from a property line requires a buffer. The buffer shall be designed to achieve the following:
(a) A mature height of six feet.
(b) A visual buffer from any property line within 100 feet.
(c) A visual buffer during any activities/events yearlong. (Evergreens may be required.)
(d) Properly designed vines and trellis are allowed.
(3) Parking shall be provided in designated areas that shall be maintained in a mud-free condition. Parking areas may be located within 50 feet of property lines with a vegetative buffer area between the parking areas and any adjacent residential uses and districts. The buffer shall be designed to achieve the following:
(a) A mature height of four feet.
(b) A visual buffer from any adjacent property line.
(c) A visual buffer during any activities/events yearlong. (Evergreens may be required.)
(d) Properly designed vines and trellis are allowed.
(4) Amplified music is permitted subject to applicable ordinances.
(5) Lighting may be used for events for the duration of the event only and may not shine or produce glare on adjacent properties.
D. Access.
(1) Any property used for a winery or brewery accessory to agriculture must have frontage on and access to a street or roadway, and the applicant shall demonstrate that safe stopping sight distances at the entrance and exit will meet Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's minimum standards.
(2) Vehicular access shall be sufficient, in the opinion of the Township, to accommodate two-way traffic. Driveways from public roads to parking areas shall have a paved apron at the entrance which is a minimum of 50 feet in length from the edge of the paving. When feasible, the driveway shall be situated to minimize impact of headlights on nearby, existing residences.
E. Parking. A permanent designated parking area devoted to servicing customers and/or visitors to any winery or brewery accessory to agriculture shall be provided proximate to the building used for a winery or brewery accessory to agriculture. The designated parking area shall have no fewer than 10 parking spaces (unless more shall be required pursuant to §
27-1610, Subsection
2B, of this chapter), all of which shall be improved to a mud-free condition.
F. Limitation of Use. Any change or expansion of an existing permitted winery or brewery accessory to agriculture use shall only be permitted by conditional use.