TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Brian Bordona, Director of Planning, Building & Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Dana Morrison, Supervising Planner
SUBJECT: Bonny’s Vineyard Appeal
RECOMMENDATION
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PUBLIC HEARING - Bonny’s Vineyard (Meyer’s Family Winery) Appeal
Open and move to continue the public hearing to consider an appeal filed by Appellant Water Audit California (WAC or Appellant) concerning the Napa County Planning Commission’s decision on December 18, 2024, to adopt the prepared Mitigated Negative Declaration; and approve the New Winery Use Permit No. P22-00002-UP submitted by Barbara Meyer (Applicant or Bonny’s Vineyard). (No Fiscal Impact.)
(APPELLANT, APPLICANT, AND STAFF REQUEST A CONTINUANCE TO MAY 6, 2025, AT 9:00 AM.)
**Previously set for 2:00 PM**
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BACKGROUND
The matter before the Board involves an appeal filed by Appellant concerning the decisions made by the Napa County Planning Commission on December 18, 2024, to: (1) adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and (2) approve New Winery Use Permit No. P22-00002-UP for Bonny’s Vineyard.
The approval of the project authorizes a new winery with an annual production capacity of 30,000 gallons as follows:
(1) A 10,996 square foot (sf) winery building with a 1,426 sf covered crush pad, a 392 sf uncovered mechanical yard and 1,255 sf of covered loggia (patio space);
(2) Six (6) full-time employees;
(3) By appointment tours and tastings for a maximum of 45 visitors per day with catering provided, catering;
(4) A marketing program consisting of two (2) large events per year with a maximum of 150 visitors and nine (9) smaller events per year with a maximum of 80 visitors, including on-premises consumption of wine;
(5) Production seven (7) days per week between 9:00 AM to 5 :00 PM, and visitation seven (7) days per week between 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM;
(6) Parking for 20 cars with overflow event parking occurring on-site, and as needed along the existing vineyard avenues for events (but outside of required stream setbacks);
(7) On-site landscaping;
(8) On-site domestic wastewater treatment system and drip dispersal system, with 3,616 sf of dispersal area;
(9) Widening of existing driveway to Napa County Road and Street Standards (NCRSS);
(10) Three (3) 10,000 gallon water tanks; and
(11) Use of existing site well #1 for winery uses (with monitoring of all 3 parcel wells).
The project is located on a 25.54-acre parcel within the Agricultural Preserve (AP) zoning district and designated as Agricultural Resource (AR) in the General Plan at 1555 Skellenger Lane, Napa (APN 030-200-080).
On January 10, 2025, a timely notice of intent to appeal was filed by Appellant and a timely appeal packet was submitted on January 27, 2025.
The hearing is being opened today to comply with the 90-day scheduling deadline in the County’s Appeals ordinance (County Code Chapter 2.88) and all parties request a continuance to May 6th. Staff presentation and public testimony will not occur at the April 8th meeting. Applicant, Appellant and Staff all support the continuance.
Documents associated with New Winery Use Permit No. P22-00002-UP and this appeal record (No. P25-00020-APL) are available for review in the Napa County Department of Planning, Building and Environmental Services, and at: https://pbes.cloud/index.php/s/nksryc7qTyZPcr8.
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Chair introduces and opens the public hearing.
2. Motion by a Board member, second by another Board member, and a vote by the Board to continue the hearing to May 6, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
All County staff costs associated with this Appeal will be fully reimbursed by the Applicant on a time and materials basis as set in County Fee Policy 80.037(c). |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Mandatory |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The Applicant and the Appellant will be unable to explore a potential resolution. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Consideration and possible adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration. According to the Mitigated Negative Declaration, the proposed project would not have any potentially significant environmental impacts with incorporated Mitigation Measures. Mitigation Measures are proposed for the following areas: Biological Resources. In accordance with Section 15073 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Napa County submitted the proposed Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration to the State Clearinghouse for a 30-day review period beginning on November 15, 2024, and running through December 17, 2024 (State Clearinghouse No 2024110514). The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.