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(Editor’s Note: Austin Heidt writes that policies outlined in Amendment #201 have impacted his vineyard on the Old Mission Peninsula. Read on for his thoughts. -jb)
I am writing to attest that the policies outlined in the current Amendment #201 ordinance have devalued my land on the Old Mission Peninsula below the cost of buying and developing it.
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In addition, buyers are not interested in purchasing the land that is under the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program due to the restrictions in Amendment #201.
In the wake of a recession in the wine industry, along with a wine glut on the Peninsula, the policies put forth in Amendment #201 have put grape growers on the OMP in an even more difficult position. As a result, many, including myself, are aggressively seeking to sell their land.
Additionally, many entrepreneurs who would have benefited the Peninsula have avoided it because of the restrictions. Please reconsider these policies.
-Austin Heidt, Owner of a Vineyard on the corner of Center Road and Swaney Road
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Austin. What changes would help your situation since there are many grape growers in Peninsula Township who are not wineries? Could allowing grape growers to process fruit on their property but not allow any visitors to taste or buy the product help? Could a central small processing facility be helpful where smaller parcels can process their grapes? Please expand on what ideas could help. Thanks.
reverting back to the old acreage would help. small farmers should be allowed to process and sell their products.
growing grapes for personal consumption does not pay the costs. Farmers must be allowed to create value added products like cider grape juice and. wine and be llowed to sell it on their farms. 201 purposely chnaged the acreage requirement to lock out smaller farmers. The anti small farmers knew full well what they were doing. They worked hand in hand with the township to ensure no more wineries would come on the peninsula even the smaller 50 acre farms. All you have to do is go back and see who populated the then so called ag commitee. the farmers were own numbered by ptp people and sympathizers an the 201 was ram rodded through the PC and township. and take a look at the make up of the questionnaire committee.