CLAREMONT — The Zoning Board of Adjustment on Monday will consider a request by a homeowner for a special exception to establish a home winemaking business.
Stanley Marro of Nel-Mar Heights, who began making wine at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, said in his application he has been making wine for personal consumption and gifts to friends but now wants to expand the operation.
“I got into this as a hobby and really enjoy winemaking,” said Marro, 63, who is planning to retire shortly. “Now I want to get into the business of winemaking.”
The business would produce and sell wine to clients, hold tastings and help others make wine, the application states.
“Ultimately what we want to do is not just make wine but share the winemaking experience,” Marro said by phone. “We want people to come here and learn how to make wine.”
Marro’s interest in winemaking goes back before COVID when he played the role of a vintner, or wine producer, in a local dinner theater production. Dinner theater allows the audience to ask any questions it wants during the play so to prepare, Marro educated himself on winemaking.
When the pandemic hit in the spring of 2020, Marro said he became more dedicated to learning about winemaking. The first wine he produced was a strawberry-rhubarb. He has also made a pumpkin spice wine, along with reds and whites.
He makes wine primarily from juices and has purchased all of the equipment required for the process, he said. The application states that all materials, including water, are purchased off site and use of city water and sewer will be limited to cleaning the equipment. Marro’s driveway holds up to eight cars and any on-street parking will be minimal and short term, the application states.
“Since we have been making wine on the premises for the last several years with no detriments, we are confident that there will be no detriments as we transition to making this a business,” the application said about whether there would be harm to public health, safety and general welfare.
In the application, Marro said the “open plan of the residence” makes it an ideal setting for creating the experience for wine lovers he hopes to achieve.
A home occupation use in the city’s R-1 district, where Marro’s property sits, requires a special exception from the zoning board.
Marro lives at the top of the hill of Nel-Mar Heights, a short dead-end street that is popular this time of year as motorists, sometimes bumper to bumper, drive up and down the street to see nearly all of the homes decorated for the holidays.
Regarding a question on the impact of traffic, Marro said there are more cars using Nel-Mar Heights during the holidays than will be on the street for his business.
“Most visits will be by appointment and not extend past 6 p.m.,” the application said.
The ZBA will meet in the City Council chambers on Monday, Jan. 5 beginning at 7 p.m.