SANTA MONICA—On June 16, Los Angeles County supervisors approved a temporary ban on the expansion of and building of new vineyards in the Santa Monica Mountains. The ban passed 4-1, making the motion effective until July 28.
County supervisors claim the California drought as reasoning behind the ban. The temporary motion affects a 32-mile area, and is receiving some local opposition. Many affected vineyards feel scrutinized by the ban, claiming other activities uptake equal or more amounts of water, but are not being banned.
Last year a similar ban in Malibu was approved. The Malibu developmental plan banned new vineyards from being built within an 81-mile area near Malibu. The plan also faced opposition from vineyards.
The current ban expires on July 28, in which county supervisors will revisit the issue and hold a public hearing.
