Things didn't go well for home winemaker John Doner, whose permit application to make commercial wine at his residence on Placer Drive was blocked by the Jackson Planning Commission Monday night.

Doner told commissioners that he had already acquired both federal and state approval for his plan to market the zinfandel, syrah and viognier wines that he made last fall. Doner's neighbors spoke in favor of his proposal. The closest anyone came to speaking against the 300-case winery with its Jewish-Genovese heritage and name, Vecchio Gefen, was when Kathy duBois pointed out that the request was for a conditional use permit, which would "run with the property."

During the discussion, Doner's winery was described as small enough to fit into his garage and invisible but the few hours required to crush grapes outside during harvest time. The sobering news that the permit would "run with the property" meant, however, that sale of the property would allow a successor to also operate a winery, which could conceivably become a much larger operation.

"I have a problem with bringing a commercial manufacturing process into a residential neighborhood," said Commissioner Dave Butow.

Commissioner Leticia Sexton agreed, saying, "I don't think it has a place in a residential neighborhood."

Referring to Doner's acquisition of federal and state approvals, Commissioner Walt Hoeser said, "I think he has put the cart before the horse."

Commissioner Terri Works sought ways to work around the obstacles. "Couldn't we agree to review this in a year?" she asked "It's historic in Jackson (to make wine at home)."

Her motion to approve failed for lack of a second.

Doner was advised by City Planner Susan Peters that he could appeal the planning commission's denial to the Jackson City Council. Without some special dispensation from the city council, the appeal would cost him another $200 and carry no guarantee of success.

It had been the planning commission's intention to discuss the general plan land use element update, but the length of the public comment period on previous agenda items led to postponement until a special meeting on March 31.

In other news, the Jackson Planning Commission issued a notice to residents interested in serving on a new subcommittee to assist with updating the city's general plan housing element.

The housing element is one of the seven mandated elements of the general plan. Housing element law, enacted in 1969, mandates that local governments adequately plan to meet the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community.

Those interested in participating should send a letter of interest to Susan Peters, City Planner, 33 Broadway, Jackson, 95642, or e-mail speters@ci.jackson.ca.us. Letters should be submitted no later than Thursday, March 27.