Yates reviews plan for wine/beer tasting facility

    PENN YAN—Site plan review for a combination wine and beer tasting facility planned in the town of Starkey was considered by the Yates County planning board during its meeting on Thursday, Sept. 22. Representatives of project developer BWF Holding presented plans for an 8,600 square foot wine tasting facility to be built on Route 14. At this time, there are no plans for either wine or beer production at the business. Planners approved the site plan with the suggestion that provision be made for bus parking at the site. Construction is expected to begin in November.
    A second site plan review originated in the western portion of the county. A subdivision including four lots was reviewed. The property is on a steep slope overlooking Canandaigua Lake. The site plan was approved with the recommendation that Soil and Water Conservation issues are addressed.
    A one-year moratorium on all horizontal, directional gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing and fracking in the town of Benton was approved.
    Yates County planning board is near the point of having representatives from each municipality in the county. One prospective member, Richard Brow, asked if he could vote on issues before the board. When he learned his appointment had not yet been made by the legislature, Brow said he did not have time to wait any longer and left the meeting.