City Council Tables Vote on Wine Tasting and Wine Bar Operations at Northville Cider Mill

A vote on plans for the to expand its operations to include two wine tasting rooms and outdoor service in a 10,000 square foot area have been tabled by the Northville City Council.

At a special meeting Monday night, the city’s Liquor License Review Committee recommended to City Council that the matter be further reviewed by the planning commission.

Because the plans do not fit with current zoning regulations, City Manager Patrick Sullivan told the owners, Robert and Carina Nelson, that one of three things might happen: they could request a variance from the zoning board of appeals for their plans, or the area could be rezoned, or the zoning ordinance governing that area could be revised. But before it reaches that point it must go before the planning commission.

“A zoning change needs to be made to expand what’s there now,” Sullivan said.

One Northville resident, Steve Barth, expressed his displeasure with the plans for the cider mill on Baseline Road.

“First, I’d tell you I’m a big fan of the cider mill,” Barth told the City Council. “I’m not a fan of this idea.

Barth went on to express that his nearby condo would be negatively impacted by the owners’ plans to open a wine tasting facility and 10,000 square-foot special events area with the possibility of alcohol being served. He said he worried that people would be drinking at all hours across from his home.

“I’m not against wine tasting and wine bars,” he said. “But I think there’s a right place. I don’t think this is the right place.”

The owners responded by saying that the hours would be limited, so people would not be drinking at all hours. They added that the outdoor area would only be open for special events and not open every weekend. The proposal includes plans for 100 parking spaces on-site to accommodate possible visitors.

The owners also propose the following hours, according to city documents:

• Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to midnight
• Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.