GREENE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) – On Tuesday evening, August 28, an application to build a large event space for a future winery in Greene County was denied, ending a months-long battle.
By a vote of 4 to 1, the Greene County Board of Supervisors rejected a special permit for Beard Mountain Vineyard, citing the sheer size of the application as the main criticism. Board Chair Marie C. Durrer was the only supervisor to vote in favor.
“Granting the special use will create further disharmony with neighboring properties,” said Supervisor Steve Catalano.
The Beard family applied to expand the space allocated for a venue in Greene County from 371.61 square meters to 2,391.61 square meters.
This was a size that caused many neighbors to be upset.
“It’s too massive,” said Greene County resident Hope Barber at Tuesday night’s board meeting.
Owner Carl Beard and his daughter Hailey Beard asked the supervisors to look at their vision of a wedding venue.
“It’s a place where both small, intimate moments and large celebrations can take place,” said Hayley Beard.
They compared their requests with the size of other vineyards in Virginia.
“It’s really small compared to what everyone else is doing, and that’s why I want to have this world-class wedding facility here in this county,” Carl Beard said.
Some spoke to supervisors on Tuesday evening in favor of the vineyard and the financial benefits that additional tourism would bring.
“Venues and wineries are money makers for counties,” said David Mastervich, Greene County planning commissioner.
Ultimately, the supervisors were not persuaded and sided with those who feared that a venue of this size would destroy the rural character that characterizes Greene County.
Neighbors who fought against the approval for months believe the decision reflects the wishes of the vast majority of the community.
“It’s a step in the right direction for us, so I couldn’t be happier right now,” said Bill Zutt, a neighbor of the property.
The Beard family declined 29 News’ request for comment after the meeting Tuesday evening.
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