New design guidelines trip up developer

By: AARON CLAVERIE - Staff Writer
County Planning Commission looking for something "special" in Wine Country | Friday, January 11, 2008 11:27 PM PST ∞

WINE COUNTRY -- A Carlsbad contractor who wants to build a simple, ranch-style wine tasting room has found his path blocked by the county Planning Commission, which is developing new design guidelines to boost the quality of projects built in Wine Country.

The contractor, James Quirk, bought a 20-acre parcel on Calle Contento two years ago. He paid $3,000 for a watercolor rendering of the project that shows the tasting room nestled among trees and hillside vineyards. He paid "thousands upon thousands" dollars more for detailed architectural renderings, he said.

As he envisions it, the winery property, called Wheeler Ridge, would feature a 6,000-square-foot, two-story tasting room/gift shop and a 10,000-square-foot wine production building with a caretaker's residence.

At one point, his proposed tasting room was slated to have a metal roof. He scrapped that aspect of the plans and converted the roof to shingles based on input from the commission, which gave Quirk what he called a "laundry list" of recommended design modifications during a December meeting.

This week, the commission asked Quirk to continue tweaking the design.

Quirk, during the meeting Wednesday, said he was "perplexed" by the commission's decision.

"I don't want to seem argumentative," he said. "But this (revised version of the tasting room plan) is not even what I want to build anymore."

Quirk told the commission he addressed each of the concerns raised during the December meeting.

"We're looking for something very special in Wine Country. This is not special enough," replied Commissioner John Petty, who represents the district that includes Wine Country.

The discussion left Quirk shaking his head as he walked to his car in the parking lot after the meeting. He said he doesn't know what more he can do to appease Petty and the commission.

"He just doesn't like the design," he said.

Petty, who offered to meet with Quirk and his architect in the coming weeks to discuss the project, said Quirk's proposed tasting room features a hodgepodge of construction materials that don't work together in harmony.

"It's architecturally all over the map," he said Thursday.

In the next six to 12 months, Petty expects to see six or seven major Wine Country projects come before the commission. All of those projects -- not just Quirk's -- will be held to a higher design standard, he said.

"We're trying to raise the bar to the point where it's almost automatic. When someone brings a project to the commission they know going in they've got to bring something very special, in design, materials and commitment to detail," Petty said.

Those driving to Quirk's land on Calle Contento off Rancho California Road pass the Red Barn Winery on the left. The tasting room is housed in a simple, bright red metal barn-shaped building.

Quirk contends his design meshes with what is seen on neighboring properties, including the Red Barn Winery, a point he tried to make to the commission.

"(Quirk) might have a neighbor that has a metal building that is part of his operation. But we don't have to perpetuate what's already there," Petty said, adding that it's time for the commission to guarantee that everyone is going to be committed to a high level of development.

Along those lines, Petty plans to propose to the commission and the wine growers that a specific zoning plan be developed for Wine Country. That plan, replacing the current citrus vineyard zone designation, would put new design guidelines into writing.

"We can put in place some things that will guarantee the area will be a unique part of Riverside County for the next 100 years," he said.

Petty said he's not looking for uniformity of design; he doesn't want to see all French Chateau-style tasting rooms or all Spanish-style architecture. The focus instead should be on quality materials and cohesive designs.

Ray Faulkner, president of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, said in an interview Friday that he is glad to hear the county is not considering forcing some sort of uniformity.

"It's positive to hear (the county) isn't advocating a one-size-fits-all approach," he said, adding that there should be some room for eclectic designs in Wine Country.

The association plans to discuss the county's new guidelines, which are still in the planning stages, at its meeting this month, Faulkner said.

Late last year, Faulkner said some members heard the county was putting in place standards that would mandate no steel buildings.

"There are some steel buildings that don't look that bad and some that look tacky. Some people said, 'Wait a second, the county might be taking a stand that's a little too restrictive,'" he said.

Regarding Quirk's development, Faulkner said the association would be concerned if what he's proposing is acceptable to the membership but unacceptable to the county.

There needs to be some agreement on a level of standards that both agencies can find acceptable, he said.

Meanwhile, a construction trailer sits on Quirk's Calle Contento property. A sign hanging on the side says "Wheeler Ridge is Coming."

Contact Aaron Claverie at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2624, or e-mail aclaverie@californian.com.

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Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

matt wrote on Jan 12, 2008 12:17 AM:this is redicoulous...what happened to freedom?
if you own the property you should be able to build, within reason, what ever design you want, the freedom to choose the design
the county/government should not be able to tell you exactly what to build...
what a complete shame and infringement of our rights and freedoms

Grandfather Clause wrote on Jan 12, 2008 12:44 AM:If the zoning and new standards are not in place now and when his application was submitted, I do not believe he should be restricted to we're making a new standard in the future.
Ponte has a "tent" for a restrauant for gads sake!
In the future the Wine country with less than 1200 acres planted in grapes may be what? Look at Upland and Pomona dead grapes.

Mark wrote on Jan 12, 2008 7:14 AM:Hurry up and just build it - another place to get expensive nasty tasting wine and catch a buzz. I can't wait.

Jake wrote on Jan 12, 2008 7:25 AM:This is what happens when you let the older winery owners control the new breed. They do not want competition. They changed the rules after they got in. Wouldn't it be nice to see 1 acre wineries? Wouldn't it be nice to have 100's of wineries instead of the same tired prison buildings like Bailey's?

HMMM wrote on Jan 12, 2008 7:58 AM:seems like we have a planning commissioner that has his own agenda. Perhaps the community should approach Jeff Stone and ask why this planning commissioner is able to enforce his own vision of how wine country should be developed rather than adhering and enforcing the county standards that are in writing and are part of an ordinance (law).

Huh? wrote on Jan 12, 2008 8:01 AM:Since when did wine property in wine country have to pass a review of the wine country association. Are there any CC&Rs recorded on this property that subjects architectural review to the wine association? If not, then Faulkner is way off base to infer that the wine association has authority to review and approve a proposed winery's design. The issue quite simple, if the proposed design meets current county standarts, neither Petty nor the wine association has any authority to deny the project or 'tweak' it to their personal preference. Seems like its time for the courts and lawyers to me.

Hector wrote on Jan 12, 2008 10:28 AM:I know exactly how Quirk feels. Sometimes the personal demands of Planning Commission members take away the rights and dreams of the actual owner to do with his what should within reason be his decisions.

through with Temecula wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:15 AM:I lived on a ranch near the wine country back when we didn't have electricity or phones so I've seen growth! I can tell you that back when the Temecula Old Town Specific Plan was initially advanced (as in, shoved down our throats) by a bunch of intruding "carpetbaggers" who moved in and infringed on the area with their sophisticated ideas, the whole Temecula area started down a path paved by their bulldozer determination. Freedom to live and let live began to be stifled and then just brutally killed off and it's only gotten worse over time. My advice is sell the land and go somewhere without the "level of sophistication" that has been imposed and forced upon us. It's totally, utterly disgusting how those who think they're so smart have managed to implement a system where they've elevated themselves to a high lofty level from which they are able to tell those they consider to be lesser lights than themselves just what to do and how to do it! They need to get a life for themselves! I hope the aspiring builder gets through this without becoming as disenchanted with the area as I have become after spending my whole life here. I love the weather, I love the land, etc, etc but not the people who are running the "system". Good luck Quirk.

Bam wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:15 AM:If you don't want regulations, then go build in the Salton Sea area. There's plenty of places you can build where there is little to no oversight. Wine Country is special and the bar should be raised very high for this area. I wish the county paid as much attention to their developments off of I-15 in Wildomar. Nothing but blank walls and rogue tagged up billboards.

I Agree... wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:27 AM:with Mark. Hurry up and build it, who cares what it looks like. Let the consuming public pass judgement. How much wine do Petty and the commission members drink? Has the alcohol consumed affected their thinking?!? Sounds like it to me. I don't even drink the stuff but was married twice to men who both died from drinking alcohol and I can tell you that it greatly affects the consumer's judgement! Come on, Petty! Get off your high horse before you fall off. It could happen you know. What goes round, comes round!

to matt & HMMM wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:31 AM:County supervisors are friends to certain developers only, those projects get through on the red carpet. Others are left to twist in the wind. Do your homework and you will see. keep the faith.

WHAT?? wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:40 AM:I don't think your planners know what the heck they're doing!!! Just another unnecessary mess that should never have happened - does anybody down there know what they're doing?? I feel for this man and his desire to live out his creativity.

He should have.... wrote on Jan 12, 2008 1:39 PM:called a corrupt republican politician like Duke Cunningham. Those types know how to get things done. All it takes is a little cash.

me wrote on Jan 12, 2008 1:51 PM:Who approved Pinnacle restaurant? A big red blob sticking up as you go down Rancho California.....now that is style!

JSten wrote on Jan 12, 2008 4:44 PM:I am pretty sure that even in the peoples republic of Riverside, the words "arbitrary" and "capricious" are not on the list of approved behaviors of a public official. This is one time when I can see the value of a good old fashioned butt kicking in the courts.

Will the county defend an agent for arbitrary and capricious acts? I want to work there. I have prima-donna training!

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