Released August 31, 2010
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A controversial split decision on agricultural zoning from the Fifth District Court of Appeals will go before the Ohio Supreme Court. The court has agreed to review Terry v. Sperry, 2010-Ohio-1299 (March 23, 2010), an appellate decision that endorsed a township’s desire to close down a winery in an exurban residential area.
The court agreed with the township’s assertion that Myrrdin Winery could not utilize Ohio’s “agricultural exemption” from township zoning authority because the winery imported more grapes than it grows on the premises and thus does not meet the statute’s definition of “agriculture.”
Because the winery did not qualify as “agriculture,” the court held that the township could enjoin its operation. We disagree with the court’s reliance on the definition of “agriculture” because the statute also includes specific exemption language for wineries that bypasses the agriculture definition. See earlier post, Ohio court allows township to use zoning to prohibit winery.
The Supreme Court’s decision to review the case should result in much needed clarification of township zoning authority over wineries, a recurring issue in Ohio. With more and more wineries developing in Ohio, many will be anxious for the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the statute. The court should reach a decision in early 2011.
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