The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About260709 ET Article - 11 Marbleridge - - 7/9126118:34 AM Winery withdraws proposed parking changes I Merrimack Valley 11 eagletribune.,com https://www.eagletribune.,com/nelws/merrimack-vaIIey/winery-withdraws-proposed-parking- changes/article-ab l 23,b6-0829-4404-b7bO-5fb6l5l4de1 e4,.html EDITOR'S PI Winery Withdraws proposed -w%arking changes P By Angelina Ber�ube I a,her ube@eagletribune.colmi, Jul 9, 202IrP .................... .......... ............. Il Ur iri iV al tl 4 T? it v, w/Al /11N 0 IMMI F"t �-, "I I��Jwffih AMO'S I "ISWEPI), OwIllf ja M, Eldridge"Brig" Leland 11 pours a glass of the newly rele axed 2022 petite Sirah in the early 19010s barn,which will soon be converted to a tasting room for Marble Ridge Winery in North Andover. Carl Russo/Staff photo hittps://www.eagietribune.com/news/merrimack—valley/winery-withdraws-proposed-parking-changes/article—abOl 23b6-08294404-b7bO-5fb6514de1 e4.,... 1/6 7/91/26,8:34 AM Winery withdraws proposed parking changes�Merrimack Valley I eagletribuinie.com in on O NORTH ANDOVER —A local boutique winery's plan to expand its parking is on hold amid growing concerns from its neighbors about the farm's intentions to host larger events. An application for a limited site plan review modification to change the approved parking plan at Marble Ridge Farm to, 'increase the number of parking spaces from 35 to do, 60 was withdrawn, without prejudice, at the Planning Board's Tuesday meeting in Marble Ridge Farm, II Marbleridge Road, is a residential zoning district and includes a Winery with a tasting room and lodging options. William DiAdamo, an attorney for Marble Ridge, made the move after first looking to continue the public hearing by a month and after community members voiced their concerns with the proposal. The withdrawal allows the winery to, apply again when it's ready as a continuance on the 'initial application would have given the Planning Board a short window to make, a decision with another month's delay. Mable Ridge Winery and Marble Ridge Farm owner Elbiridge "Brig" Leland submitted the modification after its discussion at the October 2025 and March 2026 Planning Board meetings. The updated plan would expand the existing field parking area to, 60 spaces. "The update improves site operations , circulation, and on-site parking management needed to support our approved farm operations 'including production and sales through our tasting room, private events, and overnight stays," Leland wrote in a June 1 letter to the Planning Board. Some abutters sought legal counsel 'in attorney Nick Rosenberg who told the board how ."I '1 there is an issue with tn parking among other concerns of neighboring homeowners. https://www.eagletribune.com/niews/merrimacl<—valley/winery-withdraws-proposed-parkingil-changes/article—abOl 23b6-08294404-b7bO-5fb65,1 4del e4.... 2/6 7/9/26,8�:34 AM Winery withdraws proposed parking changes,I Merrimack Valley I eagle:tribune.com I e said to extend the winery's parking requ es that the extension is pri marily for the use of accessories to the winery s agricultural use and invokes Dover considerations, Rosenberg, said there have beep.violations on the winery's property and an underlying is ncern that the winery really an event venue masquerading as a vineyard. He also outlined the neighbors' opposition ire a July 6 letter to the Planning Board. "Having a small stand of a few grape plants does not mean you the get to d whatever you want on the property," Rosenberg said, alleging their grapes aren't used in "an1a, signit icant, amount of their wry wine, The accessory uses under the Dover Amendment have to support the arm's primary agricultural use, lie noted. Weddings, their rehearsals and an ongoing concert series that has occurred on the property along with lodging are extensions (4 way beyond anything to support the agricultural use," he said. https://www.eagletribunie.com/news,/merrimack—Valley/winery-w,ithdraws-prolposed-parking-changes/article—abOl 2'3b6-082,9A404-b7bO-5fb651 4del e4.... 316 7/9/26,8:34 AM Winery withdraws proposed parking changes I Merrimack Valley 11 eagletribunle.corn The board did not make a decision on the :ir app lic ation with it being withdrawn. 0 16 :hut Rosenberg asked the board to encourage the building commissioner to monitor the, property to make sure it's used for agriculture I ire compiiance with its 35 parking spaces and uses allowed under its initial site plan review. He highlighted recent zoning violations and encouraged the building commissioner to determine i 'tie winery is engaged in wine making activities. Neighbors reportedly approached Leland .bout concerns, but lie has not responded back about food trucks, wed d ings, concerts, loud music and traffic on the private way. Rosenberg said as events expand and traffic increases, it will become a problem. for neighbors. He also noted how the winery went before the Planning Board ire. the fall to 16 -1 10 plant more vines and now the same area is proposed tor more parking. "This is an event veinue," lie said. "This is a wedding and a concert venue. This is, an AI*r n space, not a vineyard,)) Great Pond Road resident Nicole Friels lives :cross from the winery and its parking area. Sloe said she was dismayed that Leland and the winery have beery able to circumvent local zoning lairs when it took leer 18-mo nths to renovate her house due to different town restrictions. Neighbors approached L,eland a fear weeks ago .bout the parking appiicati on and gave him ``ample, time" to respond,but sought legal advice after not hearing back, she said. Frick stressed hoer she was initially supportive of Leland and the business venture and was excited .bout the 'idea of a quaint winery .cross the street from her home. 'c 'At the time, we didn't realize that leis aspirations were much larger,," she said. hittp:s://www.eag:il'letribunie.com/niews/i�ie,rrimack—valley/wi',nery-w,ithdraws-proposed-parkingi-changes/article—abOl 23,b6-08,29A404-b7bO-5fb,651 4de1 e4...w 4/6 7/9/261 8:34 AM Winery withdraws proposed parking changes I Merrimack Valley I eagletribune.com icense IThe Select Board appr me ed an entertainl$i ioir Marble Ridge Farm on Jan. 26. Leland had also requested to change the busi ess' hours to be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weeknights and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays. He sought the . -16 entertainment ncense for the approved areas that they are allowed to sell alcohol. -Leland told the Select Board in January that he envisioned most of the entertainment inside their tasting room and some outside durin .ice weatner. Another resident, Nancy Leland, was concerned about the winery)s advertised "bring your own booze" at private events and "major" parking violations in May. Planning Board Chair Sea evlahan hignligl ted an enforceime nt order on Marl lerid e Road because of a zoning violation early in the meeting. Trending Video https://www,.eagietribune.com/news/merrimack—Valley/winery-withdraws-propolsed-parking-chilanges/article—abOI23b6-01829-4404-b:7bO-5fb651 4de1 e4. w. 516 7/9/26,8:34 AM Winery withdraws proposed parking changes I Merrimack Valley I eagletribune.corn Eagle Tribun eats V IM See All Events +Add your event Sat,Jul 18 ThL11 Jul 09 Thu,Jul 09 Thu,Jul 09 Thu,Jul 09 Midsummer Party with Student Art Show Boarding House Park College Systems OFFSITE: MAMA Rocks Band at... Trainings Commun Windharn Restaurant Haverhill Campus Boarding House Park Haverhill Campus, Tewksbur, THU FRI SAT SUN MOIL TUE WED TH'U FRI' SAT SUN MON TUE 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 gelina Be,rube httpis://www.eagletribluine.com/news/merrimack—Valll,ey/winery-withdraws-proposed-parking-changes/artilcle—abO,1'23b6-082944Oi4-b7bO:-5fb6514dele4.. .. 6/6