Based on the evidence, the conclusion drawn would be that
agriculture-related tourism would be akin to, say, a strip joint by
the county planning department.
Consider this business proposition: First, put $250,000 up front with a guaranteed return on investment of $0 for six years. But wait, don’t walk away, there are a few “perks” that come with the deal – dealing with a bevy of overzealous bureaucrats, trying to decipher rules that only an IRS agent could love and a requirement to read “War and Peace” several times.
OK, we’re just kidding about the “War and Peace” part. But dealing with the Santa Clara County Planning Department has become akin to “war” for nearly everyone who walks through the doors needing a building permit. For five years, Dave and Valerie Vanni have been trying to build a new 4,000-square-foot tasting and small reception room on their beautiful family winery located on Hecker Pass in west Gilroy to replace the existing 2,500-square-foot structure, but they can’t get any “peace” from county planning.
One example would give residents a free taste of this $250,000 nightmare and the absolute mess that envelops county planning. Originally, the county fire marshall – a key player in the building process – wanted the Vannis to construct a 250,000-gallon water tank on their property. After years of wrangling, a 46,000-gallon water tank passed muster.
What’s wrong with this picture? Everything.
Since the initial requirement is ridiculous and the rules are clearly unclear, the whole process becomes tainted by cynicism – and rightfully so.
Based on the evidence, the conclusion drawn would be that agriculture-related tourism would be akin to, say, a strip joint by the county planning department.
We beseech County Executive Pete Kutras and our representative, District One County Supervisor Don Gage, to fix this awful mess that has been out of control for years.
Every person seeking a building permit should be assigned a contact person who will be the source for information and clarity. That county employee should be one who seeks resolution and success, a guide of sorts for the permit seeker. The county does not have to roll out the red carpet, but it should be customer-oriented to the point of having clear rules and an appointed person to help the uninitiated through the process.
Will the Solis Winery merlot the Vannis bottled in 2001 spend a decade in the cellar before the new tasting room opens? Hopefully not. But with the county planning department, you just don’t know.
