Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting – November 6, 2025
Elk Grove Planning Commission Regular Meeting – November 6, 2025
The Elk Grove Planning Commission met on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM to consider two main agenda items: a text amendment and conditional use permits for the Bartholomew Winery, and updates to the General Plan Open Space Element and Implementation Work Program. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM and adjourned at 8:08 PM. Commissioners present: Chair Juan Fernandez, Vice Chair Oscar O'Khan, Commissioner Sandra Poole, Commissioner Verinder Singh, and Commissioner C.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda unanimously (5-0).
- Approved the regular meeting minutes of October 2, 2025 (4-0-1, Vice Chair O'Khan abstained).
- Approved the regular meeting minutes of October 16, 2025 (3-0-2, two abstentions).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Chandler Bender (24-year resident, collected 44 signatures from neighbors) expressed strong opposition to the proposed amendment, citing noise concerns from amplified music. He stated that a sound study did not reflect actual noise levels experienced by residents and that the number of events (66 total) was excessive. He noted that the winery already uses amplified music in violation of its current permit.
- Pam Donnelly (homeowner since 2003, directly behind the winery) testified that music is so loud they must close doors even in summer, and that the bass rumbles through houses. She stated that 60–67 decibels were measured during the meeting and disagreed with the noise study's conclusions.
- No other speakers signed up for public comment.
Discussion Items
Bartholomew Winery Amendment (PLNG 24056)
- Staff Presentation: Sarah Kirsch-Gessner explained the project includes a text amendment to allow outdoor event center use in agricultural residential zones (AR10, AR5, AR2, AR1) with parameters: minimum 10 acres, direct access to a major arterial, and ancillary to an approved winery or ag tourism use. The project also requested a conditional use permit for 18 outdoor events per year with amplified music (11 AM–10 PM, up to 125 people), and an amendment to the existing CUP to expand wine tasting hours (11 AM–8 PM seven days a week) and increase winery events from 24 to 48 per year (with amplified music). A noise study by Bollard Acoustical Consultants predicted compliance with the city's 50 dB noise standard (with a 5 dB increase allowed in some cases) and recommended a limit of 85 dB at 50 feet from speakers, with sound monitoring and complaint response protocols.
- Public Hearing: 18 opposition letters were submitted, including a request from the Sheldon Community Association to exempt the rural area. The applicant (Darren Wilson, representing the winery, and Christopher Moro, winemaker) acknowledged that amplified music had been used in the past in violation of the current permit but stated they have purchased sound meters and will implement monitoring. They argued that noise tolerance is subjective and that only three complaints have been received since 2020.
- Commission Deliberation: Commissioners reached a consensus to carve out the rural area from the text amendment (meaning outdoor event centers would not be conditionally permitted in the rural area). After extensive debate on the number of events and hours, the commission agreed on the following modifications to the proposal:
- Wine Tasting: Approved as proposed – Monday through Sunday, 11 AM to 8 PM, no amplified music.
- Typical Winery Events: 36 events per calendar year, with acoustic-only music Monday through Thursday (cutoff at 8 PM) and amplified music allowed Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday holidays (no change to hours, 11 AM–9 PM). Maximum 125 people.
- Outdoor Event Center: 12 events per calendar year, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (plus Monday holidays) from 11 AM to 10 PM (Friday/Saturday) and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunday, with amplified music and up to 125 people.
- A motion to adopt the resolution with these modifications passed 4-1 (one commissioner opposed).
General Plan Open Space Element and Implementation Work Program Amendments
- Staff Presentation: Kirk Jordan presented the proposed amendments to comply with Senate Bill 1425 (equitable access to open space, climate resilience, and rewilding opportunities) and updates to the Implementation Work Program (removing completed actions, updating priorities). No further environmental review was required.
- No public speakers. The commission unanimously approved the resolution (5-0).
Key Outcomes
- Bartholomew Winery Amendment: Approved with modifications: (1) Rural area excluded from the text amendment; (2) Wine tasting hours expanded as requested; (3) Typical winery events limited to 36 per year with restrictions on amplified music days and weekday hours; (4) Outdoor event center limited to 12 events per year with earlier Sunday cutoff. A sound monitoring plan and neighbor complaint protocol are required. The decision is a recommendation to the City Council.
- General Plan Amendments: Approved unanimously, recommending City Council approval of the open space element and implementation work program updates.
Meeting Transcript
If you want to go ahead and start the recording, Sandy, all right, good evening, everybody. I will now call to order the Elk Roof Planning Commission regular meeting Thursday, November the 6th, 2025 at 6 p.m. I'll begin with our land acknowledgement. We honor, respect, and acknowledge Elk Grove's first inhabitants, the Plains Miwok, who lived as sovereign caretakers of this land and these waterways since time immemorial. We commemorate and advocate for their descendants, the Wilton Rancheria tribe, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County who endure because of the bravery, resiliency, and determination of their ancestors, tribal members, and leaders. Will you please take a moment to silence your electronic devices? And Sandy, will you please read the customary greeting? The El Cruel Planning Commission welcomes appreciates and encourages participation in the meetings. The commission reserves the right to reasonably limit total time for public comment on any particular noticed agenda item as it meeting as it may deem necessary. If you wish to address the commission during the meeting, please complete a speaker card. They're located in the back of the room and give it to the clerk prior to consideration of the agenda item. Will the clerk please call the roll? Commissioners Sandra Poole. Verinder Singh. Present. Vice Chair Oscar O'Khan. Present. And Chair Juan Fernandez. Present. Welcome back. Will you please join us in a moment of silence? Thank you. Do I have a motion for the approval of the agenda? Mr. Chair, I move. We approve the agenda as presented. I have a motion to have a second. Second. In favor? Aye. Any opposed? Agenda passes five zero. I will now move to the public comment opportunity. Members of the audience may comment on any item not on the agenda that is of interest to the public and within the jurisdiction of the planning commission. The planning commission cannot take action on non-agendized items and under public comment until the matter has been specifically included on an agenda as an action item. Sandy, do we have anyone sign up to speak? We have no speakers for public comment. All right, I will open and close the public general comment opportunity, and we will move to the consent calendar items. Do I have a motion for the regular meeting minutes of October the second, 2025? Chair Fernandez, I move for approval of the minutes of October 2nd, 2025. Second motion and a second. All in favor, I. Abstention by Vice Chair O'Connor. Passes four zero one. Okay, and do I have a motion for the regular meeting minutes of October the 16th? Chair, I move to approve the regular meeting minutes of October 16th. I have a motion. I will second all in favor. Any opposed? Alright, you were sent to abstain.
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