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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS .77
Contra
FROM: DENNIS M. BARRY, AICD . Costa
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORCounty
DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2003
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT STUDY FOR TEXT
AMENDMENT TO ALLOW WINERY USE IN THE AGRICULTURAL CORE AND
ESTABLISH DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR WINERIES, AS RECOMMENDED
BY THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY TASK FORCE
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
AUTHORIZE the Community Development Department to undertake a General Plan Amendment
Study for a text amendment to the "Agricultural Core" (AC)designation in the Land Use Element to
allow winery use through a land use permit process, and to establish development standards for
wineries, as recommended by the Centra Costa County Agricultural Advisory Task Force.
FISCAL IMPACT
This would be an unfunded mandate.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURES)
ACTION OF BOARD ON October 7, 2003 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED R OTHER X
*See attached addendum for Board action*
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND
R UNANIMOUS{ABSENTS} CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND
AYES: NOES: ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN
Contact: Patrick Roche,CDD-AP(Ph#335-7242) ATTESTED October 7, 2003
cc: Members,County Agricultural Advisory Task Force JOHN SWEETEN, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
State Senator Tom Torlakson SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
M.Oshinisky,City of Brentwood
Vineyard Interests
Mr.David Navarrette
DEPUTY
Ed Meyer,County Agriculture Dept. BY J, ' Iw ,
9 y
'i d'
October 7, 2003
Board of Supervisors
GPA Study Authorization Winery Use in Ag Core and Development Standards
Page 2
BACKGROUND 1 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
The Contra Costa County Agricultural Advisory Task Force is requesting the Board of Supervisors to
authorize a General Plan Amendment Study that would establish an exception to the County General
Plan text in the Land Use Element under the"Agricultural Core"(AC)designation to allow wineries with
tasting rooms through a land use permit process.They are also recommending that the study include
authorization to develop and establish standards or permit conditions to guide the Community
Development Department and the County Zoning Administrator in reviewing and approving land use
permit for a winery. Attached as Exhibit"A"to this Board Order is an August 6, 2003 letter from Tom
Powers,Chair, County Agricultural Advisory Task Force,which requests the General Plan Amendment
Study and transmits a report and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on Winery Use in the
Agricultural Core and Development Standards for Winery Use within all Agricultural Zoning Districts in
the County.
As the report from County Agricultural Advisory Task Force points out,the operation of a winery in the
unincorporated area:is allowed under a land use permit in all agricultural and industrial zoning districts,
except for the area designated as the Agricultural Core under the General Plan. There is presently
about 1,000 acres in the Agricultural Core now planted in vineyards, which according to the Task
Force represents a significant private investment that will serve to stabilize and preserve the viability of
the Agricultural Core. It is the hope and expectation of the vineyard owners to process their wine
grapes on their own property by operating a winery. However,the restrictions on conditional uses(land
use permit)as referenced in the text for Agricultural Core designation mean that the County cannot
presently consider an application for land use permit to operate a winery in conjunction with a vineyard
planted in the Agricultural Core. The Task Force is recommending a tent amendment to establish an
exception to this provision. Additionally, the Task Force is recommending that the County establish
standards or permit conditions to be used as a guide in reviewing and approving land use permits for a
winery use, and the report outlines an approach for such standards that the County should consider.
Staff from State Senator Tom Torlakson's Office and the City of Brentwood participated in discussions
and provided input to the County Agricultural Advisory Task Force regarding the report and
recommendations on Winery Use in the Agricultural Core and Development Standards for Wineries.
They have indicated their strong support for the report and its recommendations.
Subsequent to the report and recommendations submitted by the County Agricultural Advisory Task
Force on winery use, the Community Development Department has received a letter from Mr. David
Navarette,owner of Brentwood Olive Oil Company, seeking similar consideration to,allow commercial
olive oil processing with a retail store and tasting room in the Agricultural Core. Mr. Navarette is
requesting that commercial olive oil processing and ancillary use of retail sales and tasting also be
considered in the General Flan Amendment study authorization. A copy of Mr. Navarette's letter is
included as Exhibit"B" to this Board Order.
October 7,2003
Board of Supervisors
GPA Study Authorization Winery Use in Ag Gore and Development standards
Page 3
BACKGROUND / REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION - continued
Staff believes the County Agricultural Advisory Task Force's request for a General Plan Amendment
study, which includes a text amendment to the Agricultural Core to allow wineries through land use
permit process and the establishment of development standards for wineries, is reasonable and
appropriate, and recommends that it be authorized. Staff also recommends that the study should
investigate whether or not commercial olive oil process with ancillary retail sales and tasting should
receive equivalent consideration as an allowable use under land use permit process in the
Agricultural Core.
Attachments (2)
Exhibit "A": August 6, 2003 Letter from Chair, County Agricultural Advisory
Task Force transmitting report and recommendations on Winery
Use in Agricultural Core and Development Standards for
Wineries in Agricultural Zoning Districts.
Exhibit "B" : Letter from Mr. David Navarette, Brentwood Olive Oil Company
requesting inclusion in the GPA Study
HABOARD ORDER GPA Study Authorization Winery Use in Ag Core.doe
ADDENDUM TO ITEM SD.7
October 7, 2003
�lY1YlY�Y11Y��YY yllil111�4�IIIYY�Y��I�111YII�MY�IYflY�l1�MIYl
The Board of Supervisors considered authorizing a General Plan Amendment study for text
amendment to allow winery use in the Agricultural core and establish development standards for
wineries, as recommended by the County Agricultural Advisory Task Force.
Pat Roche, Community Development Department presented the staff report and
recommendations.
The Chair invited those who wished to address the Board on this matter. The following persons
presented.testimony;
Donald Enos,P.O. Box 1600, Brentwood;
Jeff Tamayo, 11670 Byron Hwy, Brentwood;
Neil Cohn, 1260 Quail Trail, Brentwood;
Tom Bloomfield, CCC Agricultural Task Force, 2030 Newton Drive, Brentwood;
John Viano,Farm Bureau, 192 Morello Avenue, Martinez;
Roger Goodwin, 515 Palms Drive,Martinez.
The Chair returned the matter to the Board for further discussion. Supervisor Greenberg moved
to approve the staff's recommendation with a request to add that olive oil process with ancillary
retail sales and tasting as part of the text amendment. Supervisor Uilkema second the motion
and the Board took the following action.
o AUTHORIZED the Community Development Department to undertake a General Plan
Amendment Study for a text amendment to the"Agricultural Core" (AC) designation in
the Land Use Element to allow winery use through a land use permit process, and to
establish development standards for wineries, as recommend ended by the Contra Costa
County Agricultural Advisory Task Force
• DIRECTED the Community Development Department to consider olive oil process with
ancillary retail sales and tasting as part of the text amendment
EXHIBIT "A"
August 6, 2003 Letter from Chair, County Agricultural Advisory
'ask Force transmitting report and recommendations on Winery
Use in Agricultural Core and Development Standards for
Wineries in Agricultural Zoning Districts.
'. ,t . F,Lco
EIVED
r J03
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
L 03 U, 2 r&-RICULTURAL ADVf►�'f RYTA,S'I�T`OR r�,c;,�,
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
RECEIVED
August 6, 2003 �-
i
Contra Costa County "'(' 8 2 044]
Board of Supervisors
651 Pine Street €FFICE OF
Martinez, CA 94553 ir11tNt5AC
Dear Chairman Mark DeSaulnier and Board Members:
As the Chair of the Contra Costa County Agricultural Advisory Task Force, I am writing
on behalf of the Task Force to urge the Board of Supervisors to initiate actions necessary
to promote and support viticulture in Contra.Costa County.
Contra Costa County once had a thriving viticulture industry, but for various reasons it
went into decline. There are now about 2,000 acres in Contra Costa County planted in
vineyards, but only one commercial winery, the Viano Vineyards, is in operation. There
has been renewed interest in viticulture with significant investment in planting vineyards
in the County's Agricultural Core and elsewhere. This investment will in the long run
serve to stabilize and preserve agriculture in Contra Costa County. ;since planting a
vineyard represents a substantial investment, it is the hope and expectation of vineyard
owners to one day process wine grapes on their own property
As described in the attached report and recommendations, the Task Force has studied the
matter of winery use in Contra Costa County. The County Zoning Ordinance Code
allows for winery use in agricultural zoning districts, but since no one in recent memory
has applied for use permit to operate a winery, the County has never considered
development standards or permit conditions for such a use. Another major concern of the
Task Force is that a winery is not a permitted use in the County's Agricultural Core
because the text description under the General Plan specifically prohibits uses allowed
under a use permit.
We are respectfully requesting the Board of Supervisors to authorize the Community
Development Department to initiate a General Plan Amendment Study that would
establish an exception to the County General Plan text under the "Agricultural Core"
designation to specifically allow wineries with tasting rooms through a land use permit
process. We are also recommending that the study include authorization to develop and
establish standards or permit conditions to guide the Community Development
Department and the County Zoning Administrator in reviewing and approving land use
permits for a winery.
f
Ag.Adv.Task Force Letter to Board of Supervisors re:Winery Use
August 6, 2003
Page Two
The Task. Force believes that in order to re-establish viticulture as an important and vital
component to Contra Costa County's agricultural economy, the County should update the
General Plan and establish clear development standards for winery use within agricultural
,.zoning districts. This would not only serve to guide better land use decision-making but
also allow vineyard owners to make business decisions about the substantial investment
in their vineyard.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sinp�y y s,
Torn Powers
Chair,
Contra Costa County Agricultural
Advisory Task Force
Attachment(1)
Report and Recommendations on Winery Use
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
AGRICULTURAL AD k7SORY TASK FORCE
WINERY USE IN
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY'S AGRICULTURAL CORE
AND
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR WINERY USE
WITHIN AGRICULTURAL, ZONING DISTRICTS
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
TO
CONTRA COSTA. COUNTY BOA" OF SUPERVISORS
AS APPROVED ON JULY 10,2003
BACKGROUND
In the early 20'h Century, Contra Costa County had a thriving viticulture industry with
significant acreage under vineyard production. In the Martinez area alone, there were at
one time between 15-20 wineries in operation, and near the base of Mount Diablo one
winery in operation had the capacity to produce 100,000 cases a year. Contra Costa
County also played a key role in the early years of California's wine industry as the home
to the Winehaven, the largest and primary wine shipping terminal on the West Coast
located at Point Molate on the San Pablo Bay. Contra Costa County's once prominent
role in the California. wine industry, however, was diminished with the combination of
Prohibition (1919-1933), the 1930's Depression, and the rapid suburbanization of Contra
Costa County since World War II.
There has recently been renewed interest in viticulture in Contra Costa County with new
acres of vineyards planted in the Briones Hills and East County. This new vineyard
acreage, along with the longtime established vineyards in the Oakley area, which are
century old grape vines whose grapes have been purchased over the past twenty years by
wineries outside of Contra Costa County, have the potential to re-establish wine as a vital
agricultural product in Contra Costa County. It estimated that there 2,004 acres of
vineyards planted in Contra Costa County, but just one winery in the County operated by
the Viano family.This is a commercial winery operated as part of a 40-acre vineyard in a
pocket of unincorporated area near the City of Martinez. Aside from Viano winery and
home winemaking, almost all of the wine grapes grown in Contra Costa County
vineyards are now sold under contract to wineries outside of Contra Costa County. Those
interests that have recently planted vineyards in Contra Costa County desire to also
establish a winery as part of their operation.
ISSUE
The operation of a winery in the unincorporated area is allowed under a land use permit
in all Contra Costa County agricultural zoning districts and industrial zoning districts,
except for the 11,000 acre area designated as the Agricultural Core under the Contra
County General Plan (1995-2010). The Agricultural Core was originally established in
1978 through the adoption of the East County Area General Plan. In the 1991
comprehensive update to the County General Plan, a new text description for the
Agricultural Core was added that specifically states ....... none of the uses described as
conditional uses in Agricultural Lands designation are consider appropriate in the
Agricultural Core designation" ( see attached pages 3-34 and 3-35 from the Land Use
Element, Contra Costa County General Plan). The language was included as a measure to
protect the resource value of the remaining prime agricultural land with Class I and II
soils. Subsequently, the entire 11,000 acre Agricultural Core was rezoned in 1993-94 to
the A-40 exclusive agricultural zoning district, as mandated under Measure C-1990.
Contra Costa 65/35 Land Preservation Ordinance, which directed that a 40-acre
minimum parcel size be established for prime productive agricultural land outside the
Urban Limit Line.
1
There are over 1,000 acres in the Agricultural Core now planted in vineyards. This
represents a substantial private investment that will serve to stabilize and preserve the
viability of the Agricultural Core. It is the hope and expectation of these vineyard owners
to process their wine grapes on their own property. They need to plan and make
arrangements for the 2004 wine grape harvest. However, since the County's Zoning
Code only allows a winery use through a land use permit, the restrictions-on a conditional
use Mand use permit) as referenced above for the Agricultural Core, mean that the County
cannot consider an application for a land use permit to operate a winery in conjunction
with a vineyard planted in the Agricultural Core,
RECOMMENDATION
At the suggestion of State Senator Tom Torlakson's Agricultural Enterprise Task Force
and the City of Brentwood, the issue of allowing the operation of wineries in the
Agricultural Core has been reviewed by the Contra Costa County Agricultural Advisory
Task. Force.
Based on this review, the Contra Costa County Agricultural Advisory Task Force
requests that the Board of Supervisors direct the Community Development Department to
initiate a Winery Use General Plan Amendment study for the Agriculture Core and
associated zoning ordinance review that would include the following:
• Establish an exception to the General flan text language for the Agricultural
Core to allow wineries with tasting rooms through a land use permit for any
parcel in the Agricultural Core that currently meets a 5-acre minimum
standard.
• Establish standards or permit conditions to guide the Community
Development Department and the County Zoning Administrator in reviewing
and approving the uses, activities, and structures normally associated with a
with a winery use as follows:
WINERY OPERATION
1. Crushing or pressing grapes
2. Fermenting wine
3. Aging wine
4. Processing and blending wine
5. Bottling and labeling wine
6. Storage of wine in cellars, vats, barrels,bottles or cases
7. Laboratory or administrative offices (subject to size limits)
8. Shipping, receiving, and distribution of wine produced on site
(warehousing/distribution activities are to be limited in size and scope)
9. Truck scales
10. Equipment storage and repair subordinate to primary winery operation
11. Composting of grape by products and other agricultural wastes; and
wastewater treatment
2
ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES TO A WINERY
1. Wine Tasting Area--Allow for wine tasting subject to the land use permit
setting the size, location, hours of operation, of wine tasting, and subject to
securing other permits or licenses, as may be required by state or federal
law, or by other agencies.
2. Retail Sales Area— Allow for the sale of wine bottled or processed on the
premises and accessory sales related to wine and promotions, subject to
the land use permit setting the size, hours of operation, and location of the
retail sales area, and subject to securing other permitsor licenses, as
required may be required by state or federal law, or by other agencies.
3. Special Events —Allow for use of winery facilities for special events such
as weddings, fund raisers, anniversaries, winemaker dinner or similar
events, subject to the land use permit process.
WINERY PARKING ACCESS AND SIGNAGE
1. Parking: 1 parking space per 2,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area for active use
areas (e.g. winemaking,processing, tasting roam); and, I parking space
per 5,040 sq. ft. of storage area(barrel storage and aging).
2. Access: Provide for the safe ingress and egress to winery facilities subject
to review and approval through the land use permit process.
3. Signage: Allow for signage specifically related to the winery use
consistent with existing sign ordinances and subject to review and
approval through the land use permit process.
e The County Planning Commission should be the hearing body for Winery Use
General Plan Amendment study for the Agriculture Core and associated
zoning ordinance review. The County Planning Commission should complete
its review and forward a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors by early
2004 so that vineyard interests can make decisions in advance of the 2004
grape harvest. The County Planning Commission should seek comment and
input on any proposed changes relating to winery use from all interested
individuals or organizations, including but not limited to the operators of
vineyards and wineries, landowners or growers in the Agricultural Core, the
East County Regional Planning Commission, the County Agricultural
Advisory Task Force, and the City of Brentwood.
Attachment f 1)
pages 3-34 and 3-35 from the Land Use Element,Contra Costa County General Plan(1995-2010)
G.Aaww+%+ning+Jcglan }taA Ru .. 1.IMerv,Tvk f mrim kd m Mi m Ig Cm REPORT AND RBCOMMENDAMNA,
3
t �4��.c•� v Grt7�t vr.r t fG$,f�'1
3. Land Use Element
tir
um-ir�san ups such;s ,;kept ass'noted b--Io*in tie deS"ondoi s of"Agricultural Core,
canon,—,W Rest urces ":" at rshed;" "Parks and Recreation,":and "t een Space." The
a]lawable.density iu` tegt�r5 s'o &kellu alai per 5 acres,'
The.. . that are alio in the aI lrxis desigtion include alb land-dependent and non-
land de ndent a icultural production an related k6ities. In add tib , #lie f0 Owing uses may be
allowed b issuance of a.land use permit, ur h shall include conditions of approval that mitigate the
impalas of use uponI rby a ricY lti ral t b�iiia.througl the estabMh�ien of buffer areas and
other ter..hni s:
o Facilities r processes agri&iIf6rai pr-. produced in die Coun::ty such as dairies,
rendering ts, and feed mills,
a commercial a 'cultural support services which ancx'lla to the agricultural use of a
parcel, such as tednar ans, fetid stores, and,equip t repair and welding; and
,t
visitor uses�.r3:clU Small#aster rc�o ,:stance ft�z the sale of products
grown:or promsed property,;guest or "dude".;ranch °,horse training and boarding
-ranches, improved mounds,-aril°°bel and bi6ia t ..of five or fewer bedrooms
which are otL lots of 20 a res.or.more, rxttensive recreational `lities-arid.private retreats.
The fallowing standards shall apply to ll uses allowed in.the Agricultural I. des!palion:
{1) A .siibdrvision of lands shall` u conditions of approval whichco orm with the
requirements 0f the T uichette a " *hick is outIined iii the"Agricul Resources'"
sectipn of the Conservation tement( tvr.8); and '
mordent I azul:ren-resideuttal uses prop�i areas of special locus par is as spawn on
MA Wisps, .shall coorm'iv"the require'' of the C&* Plooplai 'Management
Ordinance (County Ord. #87-45) and the r requirements :o ltlin6d. in the "Delta
Recreation'.section.(d) ( below.
c. Agxcttltura 'tore. "
TI&designaun-app .es to it.wdltiglab&that are composed primarily of pr�e (Class I or IT) sails
Servrce.., d LTse Capala ty Classificafions;;which are co idered the very
.. .. . . . .
'best sous far farming vride variety of crops;mss deg as _ c�ltoral ore.are located in
East 6=ty outside the LiLI.b t east, sau#haiui West'of the City of�rent cxzd: Much of the land
in this dation is :fir active cultivation of iute sive:roar craps, such as tomatoes and other
vegeta so A pcirtion a the + grienitural Core laxtds are incltY ed l.iffik'e 100-, ear flood zone,as
identified by the U.S. Federal Emergency geniext Agency
The purpose.of the Agricultural Core designation is to preserve.and protect the farmlands of the
Crnmty which ire ca ble
] + and g used for, the produc#�ori o food,fiber, and plant
materials. Agric�dtural operations in the Agricultural. Care.shalall,-in accordance with Measure C -
1994,be protected by requiring a higher minimumparcel size than.the Agricultural Lands designation,
to attempt to maintain economically viable, commercial agricultural units. `die creation of small
imconormcal units will.be discouraged by land use controls and by spedfically dis
muraging minor
subdivisions and "ranchette" housing development.
3-34 tS V P _fir
3:Land Use Elemant
Ibe,uses ftt are allowed.im the Agricultural,Core.desigpationarea a same.as.thgsse allow, without
.tle issine of a rletxd pse: rxnitr.ia , : . iesignatou, ;; above' lowever,
none of the_uses tie}S i :caru iticr use % Nee cultural Lg&des gna q ire aar�idere�i
a pr nate ix� the ricultural Care designatiaa. This Plan discourages the placement of public
r vat's orw corridors W c w a, trerswly af€ ct e v ala`lz'iy o t3 .A iculturat Care
erbnortiically fusible ilterrnativ6s
Residential Uses are allowed.in the Agnculiural+Care according to the following standards (in
accord with 2vfeasure C- 199t7 : .
(1) the mum permstted residential density!;.hall.be one unit per 40 acres,
(2) subdivision of land which would create a cluster of"razxch hacsziig is inconsistent with.
the plan, 4nd .
(3) resi�al and.noa- esiiintial uses rsrtitised ass.areas of saecill flood herds, as shown an
FElvl~A maps, sl4 confpruz 0,the..regc�irer�nts of the Couaty floodplain Afanagement
(�rdixiance C Mrd.. - anti fez. rec renxents outlined in'the "Delta
..
Reereatacoai aricl�SY,xrces"sectit�n (d}:�a")t�l�iiv ,... _
d. Delta Recreation..and R=urces.
This land use designation encompass iheislancts and ad,�aeent lowlands of the San Joaquin-
SacramentoDelta,excluding Bethel 1sIa:nd the community of Discovery Bay which have separate
land use des%gnzat�ons on the Land Use Afost of.the lands designated Delta Recreation and
esources are within. Ibi I O€ yeer flood Pte. pfdby I=FNiA,,which;means haat the area is
s jetted to periodic flooding. Many orf,tle.Delta' laacis; and the tracts adjacent to the Delta, are-
our
re
a our . . y xn ncultural production. of.dry grains .other;special.craps,suited to.the soils and
rhma such
as. '�.Tiaez are lamited public water r sewer se ces currently available to the.
area. .
The series ��er in The area is due,to the Possibility"' . bay and river waters will overtop.
6�dstibg Iwo prrxC&of stories or a6aer high water, as 11 as the possi Ilii y that p6r Ens
of the eardxen lev may fail entirely during storms.oreartli� , rens ltutg in the inundation of
whale.islands or trac . The flooding danger is exacerbated by&-- effe of siiissidencee(sit king of
Delta islaxx and ttae W f global sea waters caused bthe *greeny effect."In recent gears,
"
dig 19 3;;L9gCl, .i 83, X986 ane;cir ireI3elta gland Ieveesfez'ied ca were rrve��-topped, and
same of those were somui r b that chd licit acczir;at a time of hid storax o�.Some islands
M ,.,
zn the DIta}have b,en fto cif tree tomes since 1980.;
Ac it cs ly, tfls 4=64, , dda lands with valuable Mme habil t; e of Erlich
support speca.es a .eeoicgiml value to County #he. State. These areas;ars important
component of t Paufic Flyway'; a majar`w ' oi'l mia ioii route in North Ameeiica.
Public pre=vg1im ofpord=of these.resources is' t�raged'bY this plan, Private utilization o tlxe
r urces for hunting and fishing is appropriate,if the 'vities do skit the long-term rancor
value ofthe D6,lta.
Due to their proximity to the Delta watzrways, these:buds Ixa,e pateiitial recreational value. The
purpose of the Delta Recreation.and Resources,designation is to balance the recreational oppa iYties
EXHIBIT "B"
Letter from Mr. David Navarette, Brentwood Olive Oil Company
requesting inclusion in the GPA Study
BRENTWOOD OLIVE OIL COMPANY
September 9,2003
Supervisor Millie Greenburg °
309 Diablo Road
Danville,CA 94528
Dear Supervisor Greenburg-
My wife and I are the owners of Brentwood Olive Oil Company. Currently, we are the ?,
only commercial olive rail producers in Contra Costa County.
It is my intention to expand our business to include processing my olives into oil. It is
also my intention to relocate my business,which includes a retail store and tasting roam, to
Sellers Avenue in Brentwood,south of Highway 4,which is in the County Agriculture Care.
Enclosed is a copy of the Contra Costa County Advisory Task Force letter addressed to
the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors requesting that the processing limitation be
lifted from the Contra Costa County Agriculture Core.
I have not been able to determine whether the current limitations would apply to olive
oil processing. If so, I am requesting that olive oil processing be included in the requested
exception to the County Genetal Ilan text under the "Agriculture Core" designation. It is
my belief that alive oil production will also serve to stabilize and preserve agriculture in
Contra Costa County.
Your prompt attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated..
If you have any questions,please call me at 925-240-6457.
Sincerely,
at
David Navarrette
Owner
2610 EMPIRE AVENUE • BRENTWOOD, CA • 94513
PUONE: 925-240-6457 • FAX: 925-593-1444