Spy Cider House and Distillery is planning a significant expansion.
The Blue Mountains council recently held a public meeting to consider a rezoning application from the owners of the popular cidery and distillery that would facilitate a new building on the property and an expansion of the business.
The application was well-received and there were no objections from the public to the proposed rezoning. Multiple neighbouring property owners combined to write a letter to the town in support of Spy’s plans to expand its business.
Spy is located on 24th Sideroad in The Blue Mountains, south of Thornbury and east of Heathcote. If approved, the rezoning would allow the construction of a new two-storey building capable of accommodating 165 guests for events and celebrations.
The property is 77 acres, including about 72 acres of apple orchards.
Spy grows and presses its apples on the site for its various products. It also purchases apples from other local growers.
The current operation includes a cidery, distillery, small tasting room, small retail store, a patio and associated buildings for the business and farm operation.
Because the property is zoned specialty agriculture, there are strict restrictions on the size and scope of the cidery/distillery part of the operation.
“In order for this business to operate, we need to have folks in the door at Spy Cider House,” co-owner/operator Darcy Hagerman explained at the meeting. “Unfortunately, due to the official plan, we are only allowed 18 people in the tasting room, which makes it virtually impossible to run a business because it ends up being a very, very seasonal business.”
Hagerman explained that they would like to expand to host celebrations, corporate events, educational opportunities and town-wide events.
Last year, Spy hosted its first Cider Festival and is planning a second festival event this year.
“We’re hoping to do more of that,” said Hagerman.
Josh Morgan, a planner hired by Spy for the application, explained that the new 2,500-square-foot building would include seating to accommodate up to 165 guests for events plus kitchen space, washrooms, office space, a mechanical room and storage.
Morgan said the building has been designed to look like any other area farm building, and noted there's a robust planning justification report for the application.
“I think that we’ve done a good job of bringing an application forward that has regard for the existing official plan, the draft official plan and, of course, the (provincial) guidelines,” he said.
The application was greeted warmly by members of council.
“This is exciting for the Town of The Blue Mountains,” said Coun. Gail Ardiel. “I think this will be a gem for our town. I’m very pleased.”
The only issues with the application raised at the meeting came from the Grey County Planning department noting concerns about the size of the proposed building, minimum distance separation, the need for an updated site plan and the nature of the expanded business activities in the specialty agriculture zone.
Morgan told council that he would be sitting down with Grey County planners to address the concerns raised in their comments.
Coun. Paula Hope expressed support for the application, but asked town planning staff about expanded business operations on a property zoned specialty agriculture.
“I haven’t seen this before,” Hope said of the application, while also praising the proposal. “It is so exciting to hear you’re expanding at this time. I can’t wait to watch you grow.”
Shawn Postma, the town’s manager of community planning, said when the town updated its official plan in 2016 it included limited exemptions for business operations on specialty agriculture properties.
“We dipped our toes in the process,” said Postma, noting the 18-person cap on the Spy tasting room is because of the 2016 Official Plan update.
Postma said the town is looking to expand those exemptions via the current official plan review.
“We are looking at trying to take another step forward,” he said.
Council did not make a decision on the application at the meeting. Planning staff will bring back a report with a recommendation on the file in the near future.