Vote to allow the grapes to grow and the wine to be served

A vote by the Oconee Planning Commission is preliminary approval to allow grapes to be grown and, eventually, wine to be served near Salem.  Josh Stephens, the county zoning administrator, said the commissioners last night approved a zoning change needed by Russ Gardiner for his group to build and operate two wineries on more than 400 acres of property off the Nimmons Bridge Road.  Further approval is required by the County Council.  But, Stephens says, if the county’s governing body says yes the project will fall into a zoning classification never before tried in the county:  planned development.