Columbus Township sends violation letter to winery
The owners of the Belle River Winery said they believe they are being harassed after a letter was sent from Columbus Township's lawyer alleging they had several ordinance violations following a series of other complaints.
The letter from the township comes nearly two years after the township board approved the winery. The winery is owned by Columbus Township resident Hannah Cowan, who opened the winery as a way to help pay for her son’s Autism treatments. Her husband and business partner Rob Cowan said the winery has received all of its permits and passed all inspections.
“It’s a very disruptive and disheartening thing to be happening to us,” Rob Cowen said. “Everything we've done has been above board. We've passed all of our inspections and gotten all necessary approvals.”
The winery opened in March 2022 and is located at 2405 Arlington Road, next to the family's residence.
Belle River Winery received a letter detailing the alleged violations from Columbus Township’s attorney, Michael Homier from Foster Swift Collins and Smith Law Firm, on Jan. 30. Homier said the letter came as a result of the winery appearing to expand past what they were authorized to do.
“We’re just making sure that they’re in compliance with the approvals they have from the township,” Homier said.
Columbus Township Supervisor Bruce Christy declined to comment.
The letter alleges unlawful signage for the business, service of food without necessary approval or inspection, placement of outdoor storage containers, placement of portable bathroom facilities, and construction of a roofed, heated connection.
According to the letter from Homier, the winery may be subject to a fine of $500 for each day the violation exists.
Ari Lehman, Belle River Winery’s attorney, sent the township a response denying the violations on Feb. 2.
According to Lehman’s letter, when the township approved of the winery’s tasting room, food service was approved as well, and the outdoor containers on the Cowen’s property were related to construction they were doing on their home. Additionally, the Columbus Township sign ordinance authorizes the use of signs that are temporary and less than six square feet in or less in area. The sign at Belle River Winery is 2-square-feet.
Homier said he is working on a response letter.
Cowan believes the letter is just the latest on the business being mistreated.
In April 2022, Christy notified the winery about complaints of customers parking on the road. The cars were in front of a no parking sign and redirected immediately. Cowan responded other cars parked in the road were neighbors, not customers.
In May 2022, an inspector from the Department of Food and Agriculture was sent to inspect the winery after someone complained there were no bathrooms or hand washing facilities. However, the winery passed the inspection because it had those facilities.
In June 2022, the winery received an email from its trash service that it would need to pay $90 a month for trash removal after someone from the township reported accumulating trash. The trash service told the winery it needed a dumpster. Cowan said the winery only needed one extra trash bag for the garbage.
Additionally, the Cowans had to submit a complaint to the post office in Columbus Township after someone was putting letters in mailboxes saying they did not have permission from the township to operate a winery.
"It feels like we're being bullied for no reason," he said. "This is not what elected officials are supposed to be doing. This conduct is unbecoming."
Jeannie Vogel, a public information officer with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, said in an email the commission has not received any violation reports about the winery. Additionally, she said Belle River Winery does not have any past or currently pending violations on record.
Homier said closing the winery is not the goal. He said the township wants to ensure Belle River Winery is operating within the realm of its permits. He said he could only comment on what was sent in his initial letter, not all the instances that made the Cowans feel harassed.
"I don't know what may have occurred previously," Homier said. "I plan to work with their attorney and correcting any deficiencies."
The Cowans said they want to move forward with the business.
"A small group of folks have intentionally tried to make things very difficult for our family and winery. We have forgiven those involved but please know we will defend ourselves if put in the position to do so. We would like to invite anyone holding any negativity to change their hearts and join us in helping autistic children and their families. As parents with two young autistic children ourselves we know the difficulties involved intimately. We are excited to celebrate our 1-year anniversary and would like to say God Bless to you and your families," the Cowans said an email.
Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Belle River Winery responds to violations from Columbus Township
