The growth of the wine industry in Yamhill County is leading to a growth not only in the wine-making side of the business, but in surrounding, especially tourism-related, business, to more industry, non-profit benefits, and personal events. The county faces increasing numbers of people asking to create event businesses on their farmland; a plethora of blue directional signs to wineries and other rural businesses; questions about creating inns as well as bed & breakfasts, etc.
Decisions are currently made on a case by case basis with no long term goals, plans or guidelines or limits.
Without fanfare, the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners commissioned a study of "agri-business" for the county in October, 2008. The specs for this and the RFP and deadline are not posted online, only the board order authorizing the study. There is no indication of what the next steps are. What public involvement there will be. How it will impact Yamhill County's Comprehensive Plan, etc.
By luck, however, the city of McMinnville has posted draft background documents prepared by the contractor on the city's website.
Current state of affairs:
- The Board Order for the county's study.
- Commission Mary Stern's look forward to the study.
- Draft background materials prepared by the contractor and posted by the city of McMinnville.
- A background piece in which the county supports Oregon state Senate ammendments WRT agri-tourism in 2007.
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