Albemarle Farm Wineries Sound Ordinance

I, the undersigned, am an Albemarle County resident.  I enjoy the open space protection and amenities provided by our farm wineries. I also appreciate the benefit of substantial tax revenues derived from these local agricultural businesses. 

It is my desire to see more farm wineries thriving in Albemarle County.  These farms are dedicated stewards of our agricultural lands, and promote the unique character of our County, support local values, and commit to the best interests of our community.  Farm wineries pay wholesale, property, and sales taxes, and create a magnet for destination tourism that supports a diverse range of local family businesses.  The benefits extend to restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, gas stations, caterers, antique, and other retail outlets, as well as farmer's markets, local growers of apples, pumpkins, and peaches, and roadside and pick-your-own produce farmers located throughout Albemarle County.

I believe that the ability of farm wineries to generate revenue through events, such as weddings, is important to the success and economic vitality of our farm wineries.  I also believe that a substantial benefit of such events is an increase in customers and visibility for other Albemarle County businesses, benefiting the County as a whole. As part of those events, I consider it reasonable for farm wineries to have the ability to use outdoor amplified music that is subject to the same decibel standard
applicable to all other uses in the rural areas of Albemarle County. 

Therefore, I request that the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County follow the County staff recommendation by amending the Albemarle County Zoning Ordinance with regard to outdoor amplified music at local farm wineries, so that the same 55/60 decibel standard applicable to other rural land uses, and enforced by County zoning staff, is applied equitably to local farm wineries.