Date: Fri 20-Sep-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

McLaughlin-Vineyard-Morgen

Full Text:

Manager Vows To Resolve Dispute Over Vineyard Operation

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

McLaughlin Vineyards will likely continue to satisfy both wine and music

lovers alike for years to come, and if all goes well, it will finally be done

with the blessing of the town.

For years, the winery has been operating its wine tasting and concert series

without a permit, but it appears McLaughlin Vineyards is finally prepared to

comply with the regulations.

"It's all been solved. We're going for the special exception," explained

general manager Morgen McLaughlin earlier this week.

Her attorney, Howard Nahler, said he's already met with town officials,

including Zoning Enforcement Officer William Nicholson, to make sure the

vineyard files all the necessary applications in order to receive the required

special exception. In fact, he expects to file an application with the Inland

Wetlands Commission next week for approval of an improved driveway.

"Progress is on the table," Mr Nahler said. "We don't intend for McLaughlin

Vineyards to do anything that is illegal."

However, it has been the town's accusations of unpermitted activities at the

Alberts Hill Road site that has driven officials to the point of litigation.

Last week, the Board of Selectmen met with Town Attorney David Grogins to

discuss its legal options in the case.

McLaughlin Vineyards held a series of jazz concerts with wine tasting this

past summer, which the town said was in defiance of a 1995 cease-and-desist

order.

Throughout the summer Ms McLaughlin expressed to the town her intention to

comply with the regulations and come in for a permit, but the Planning &

Zoning Commission decided a month ago that that probably wasn't going to

happen and requested the initiation of a lawsuit against McLaughlin Vineyard.

Ms McLaughlin said she planning to apply for a special exception despite the

high cost for land surveys and engineering, which were required for the

permit. She was then told she would need a wetlands permit for an improved

accessway. She said she's been building a driveway for the past year.

First Selectman Bob Cascella doesn't want to take the vineyard to court if he

doesn't have to. He said further discussions of litigation against McLaughlin

Vineyard will take place at the next Board of Selectmen's meeting September

30, but only if the business does not take steps to comply with the zoning

regulations.

"Hopefully, she'll have her applications in by then. Otherwise, we'll have no

choice," he explained. "She says she's going to (comply). We have to believe

her."