New Winery Planned for Kane County
During the July Kane County Board meeting, plans for a new winery and vineyard in Blackberry Township were unveiled. The vineyard is part of an overall project to offer an agricultural experience for visitors on the property known as Weathered Ways Farm, owned by Ashley Keller.
Keller purchased the land located at 1N053 Brundige Road in unincorporated Kane County in 2021. Initially thought to be zoned for agricultural use, she discovered the current zoning of the property would limit her plans to incorporate agritourism activities. She petitioned the Kane County Zoning Board and then the full County Board to change the zoning from Planned Unit Development (PUD) for commercial buildings and storagef to F-2 District-Agricultural, which covers related sales, service, processing, research, warehouse, and marketing, and includes a special use permit for a winery.
As a beekeeper and new farmer, Keller told Board members she envisions transforming approximately two acres of her land into vineyard. Additionally, she plans to establish a small tasting room with minimal occupancy, plant an orchard and continue to grow USDA-certified organic crops.
The property also features a barn where Keller will sell specialty items like peppers and various vegetables. She says community-based events hosted on the farm will remain small in scale.
Keller found the property in Kane County while she was looking for a spot that blended the new and old, rustic and modern. She told the board she appreciates the convenience of Randall Road's amenities while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding farmland just a few miles to the west.
The Kane County Board approved the zoning change, with stipulations to improve the driveway, address drainage issues, and secure a food service permit through the Kane County Health Department among other similar conditions.
The Kane County Zoning staff, inside the Development and Community Services Department, processes petitions for zoning map amendments, special uses and variances in addition to offering advice and assistance to County committees, local communities and the general public on zoning matters. Zoning map amendments, special uses and variances are presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals by the Zoning staff. The Zoning staff also enforces the compliance with the Kane County Zoning Ordinance through the court system. For more information go to www.kanecountyil.gov/FDER/Pages/development/buildingandzoning/zoningAdministration.aspx
