Smithtown needs more time to ponder St. James winery wedding proposal
St. James, a hamlet in the Town of Smithtown, and is home to the oldest continuously operating general store in the United States. (July 17, 2011) Credit: Erin Geismar
A public hearing on a proposal to host weddings and other events at a St. James winery has been postponed.
The Smithtown Town Board hearing, originally set for March 21, was rescheduled for 7 p.m. on April 25 at the town senior center, 420 Middle Country Rd.
Smithtown officials said they need more time to consider whether Whisper Vineyard needs town approval of its plan to hold outdoor events. Under state agriculture law, events that promote products sold by wineries, breweries and distilleries are exempt from some town zoning regulations.
Whisper Vineyard, part of Borella’s Farm Stand on Edgewood Avenue, is asking the town for a special-exception permit to hold outdoor events at the 53-acre farm. The winery, which planted its first grapes in 2004, is awaiting state approval to begin marketing wine.
The permit, if approved by the town board, would ban live outdoor music after 9 p.m., bar parking on neighboring roads, and limit events to the spring and summer months.
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