Commissioners review wineries and school expansion

GAINESVILLE - If Hall County Commissioners approve a code amendment and a rezoning request, Hall County farmers could grow wine grapes and produce their wine for sale and a growing private school could expand.

Commission Chairman Dick Mecum said Hall County could join a growing list of Northeast Georgia counties with local vineyards if farm wineries are allowed.

"We have some people who are interested in setting up vineyards here in Hall County and they would like to sell their own product out of their own stores and shops," Mecum said. "We've seen it grow all around us in Habersham and Lumpkin County."

Mecum said the wineries could also sell wine produced at vineyards from other states but not from outside the country.

"This would allow the wineries to have tasting rooms and be able to sell right there on the premises," Mecum added.

Business Director Susan Rector presented the proposed amendment Monday for a first reading and public hearing at Thursday's voting session. Final approval would come in two weeks at the next commission meeting.

A GROWING SCHOOL SEEKS MORE ROOM

A Hall County private school plans a major expansion according to a rezoning application presented to county commissioners Monday by Planning Director Srikanth Yamala.

North Georgia Christian School wants to rezone 97 acres of farm and woodand on Poplar Springs Road to build a facility to hold a growing number of students by the year 2025.

"The school will be accommodating approximately 1,000 students between the levels of kindergarten and 12th grade," Yamala said.

According to the application, growth is projected at 500 to 700 students in seven to ten years.

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