TO: Napa County Planning Commission
FROM: Brian D. Bordona, Director of Planning Building and Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Kelli Cahill, Planner III
SUBJECT: Diamond Creek Vineyards Winery Use Permit Major Modification No. P19-00177-MOD
RECOMMENDATION
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DIAMOND MOUNTAIN VINEYARD COMPANY INC/ DIAMOND CREEK VINEYARDS / MAJOR MODIFICATION NO. P19-00177 - MOD & REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION TO THE NAPA COUNTY ROAD AND STREET STANDARDS
CEQA STATUS: Consideration and possible adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) (SCH#2025120440). According to the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration, the proposed project would not have any potentially significant environmental impacts after implementation of mitigation measures. Mitigation measures are proposed for the following area: Biological Resources. The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.
REQUEST: This application was submitted to participate in the County's Code Compliance Program as described in Resolution No. 2018-164 adopted by the Napa County Board of Supervisors on December 4, 2018. The proposal is to modify an existing winery Use Permit and subsequent modifications to recognize and approve items that are out of compliance with the permitted entitlements and for expansion beyond existing entitlements such as construction of a new winery building and agricultural storage building, increase in production, number of employees, weekly visitation, on-premises consumption of wine produced on-site, additional parking, number of marketing events, and necessary infrastructure improvements and upgrades to the wastewater system, and conversion of the existing winery building to a single-family residence with parking. The request also includes an Exception to the Napa County Road and Street Standards. The project is located on a 78.12-acre holding within the Agricultural Watershed (AW) zoning district and General Plan designated as Agriculture, Watershed, and Open Space (AWOS). The site is located at 1500 Diamond Mountain Road, Calistoga, CA 94515. APN 020-440-004 (Winery Parcel) and 020-400-012 (Residential Parcel).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Continue the item to January 21, 2026, to accommodate completion of the project’s CEQA review by the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the public.
STAFF CONTACT: Kelli Cahill, Planner III, (707) 265-2325 or kelli.cahill@countyofnapa.org
APPLICANT AGENT CONTACT: Lester Hardy, Attorney; (707) 480-8093; lester@lfhardy.com
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PROPOSED ACTIONS
That the Planning Commission:
1. Continue the item to the Planning Commission Meeting on January 21, 2026.
DISCUSSION: The project was scheduled to be heard at the Planning Commission Hearing of January 7, 2026. However, due to an unannounced closure of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, the posting of Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for this project was delayed, Since the project was not posted in a timely manner that would allow State or public review for the required 30 day review period prior to the hearing, staff is recommending that this item to be continued to extend public review of the CEQA document prepared for this project. (SCH #2025120440)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Consideration and possible adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) (SCH#2025120440). According to the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration, the proposed project would not have any potentially significant environmental impacts after implementation of mitigation measures. Mitigation measures are proposed for the following area: Biological Resources. The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Staff is recommending that the Commission continue the item to a date certain of January 21, 2026.