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The East County Board of Zoning Adjustments is set for a preliminary review of plans for a new winery and related facilities for Avaanti Vineyards in the southern Livermore area at its regular meeting Thursday afternoon.
The facility would be composed of four buildings and accommodate winemaking, a tasting room, bottle shop, restaurant, banquet room and event center, according to a report prepared by Alameda County planner Aubrey Rose.
Also up for consideration is a 9-hole golf course and putting green as well as a two-story, single-family home.
If approved, the new construction on Reuss Road would join over 20 wineries currently operating along and around Tesla Road from west of South Vasco Road to east of Greenville Road.
But before responding to the winery’s request for a conditional permit, the board will hold a public hearing on the project, discuss potential issues and give direction on modifications or studies as needed.
At the center of the vineyard, the applicant for Avaanti Vineyards — Jonathan James of William Wood Architect — aims to build a new 30,234-square-foot, winery-related facility. Its four buildings would encircle a large, outdoor court.
Just west of that facility would be a golf course made of synthetic turf.
And on the east side of the property, James proposes a 9,467-square-foot, two-story home with a 1,127-square-foot garage, a pool and an overall footprint of 2 acres.
Surrounding the property is the Livermore American Viticulture Area, which includes about 4,000 acres of vineyards. Neighbors also include large agricultural properties and some large residential properties.
Currently, the land itself is designated for large parcel agriculture, as set in the East County Area Plan. The plan writes out standards to “preserve and enhance the South Livermore Valley’s community character”, according to the staff report. One related intention was to “encourage the promotion of the South Livermore Valley as a premier wine-producing center by encouraging appropriate tourist attracting and supporting uses”.
So far three adjacent neighbors have expressed concern to the board. They wrote letters worrying about potential traffic, noise, glare, compatibility with local vineyards, visual impact and more. These and other potential impacts will be up for discussion by the board.
Also, the project plans are still undergoing an environmental review.
The meeting will be held on Thursday (Oct. 24) at 1:30 p.m. at the Dublin Library Community Room at 200 Civic Plaza. It will also be streamed live via Zoom webinar. Read the full agenda here.
