TO: Napa County Planning Commission
FROM: Brian D. Bordona, Director of Planning, Building & Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Dana Morrison, Supervising Planner - (707) 253-4437
SUBJECT: Tesseron New Winery-Use Permit No. P22-00309-UP - REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE
RECOMMENDATION
title
TESSERON NEW WINERY USE PERMIT APPLICATION NO. P22-00309 - REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE
CEQA STATUS: Not applicable at this time as the only request is for the Planning Commission to continue the item to a date uncertain.
REQUEST: Continuance request regarding request for approval of a Use Permit to allow a new winery with an annual production capacity of 20,000 gallons per year with the following characteristics:
a. Construction of a new 14,729 square foot (sf) cut and cover Type I cave with a 2,750-sf covered crush pad, and a 348-sf covered mechanical equipment area with an enclosed trash/recycling area:
i. Included in the cave is a 3,645-sf fermentation dome room with a 32-foot-high ceiling;
ii. The caves and domes will be used for winemaking, fermentation, aging, barrel storage, bottling, case good storage; dry good storage, as well as shipping and receiving; the cave will also contain an office, lab and two restrooms.
iii. A retaining wall will be constructed uphill of the cave and will be 56 feet 6 inches in height.
b. Excavation of approximately 20,000 cubic yards of spoils associated with the cave and construction of structure pads, all of the spoils will be distributed within the subject parcel or neighboring parcels under the same ownership, with spoils specifically occurring on APN 027-060-020-000 at various locations but outside of all required stream and ephemeral setbacks;
c. Onsite parking for three (3) vehicles; one (1) handicapped, one (1) compact and one (1) standard;
d. Up to one (1) full-time employee, and three (3) part-time employees;
e. Installation of a 50,000-75,000-gallon Fire Protection Water Tank located on a parcel under the same ownership but within the jurisdiction of the County of Sonoma (this will require the submittal and approval of building permit from Sonoma);
f. Upgrades to the existing wastewater system - with winery wastewater being collected, treated, and stored to be reused for irrigation onsite;
g. Installation of a new onsite Septic System and identification of new reserve area;
h. Removal of 15 native tree species, with replanting and permanent preservation of 45 trees;
i. Use of an existing on-site spring, currently used for residential water use, that will become the water source for the winery while the residence will be served by an existing well;
j. Improvements to the existing paved driveway from Wall Road to ensure it meets Napa County Road and Street Standards.
No Tours and Tastings, Visitations or Marketing events are proposed or being requested under this Use Permit.
The winery is proposed on a 43.26-acre parcel located at 1000 Wall Road, Napa, on Assessor’s Parcel Number APN 027-060-022-000. This parcel is part of a larger holding under the ownership of Tesseron Vineyards, which includes the primary parcel APN 027-060-022-000, as well as APNs: 027-060-020-000 (location of proposed soils disposal areas), 027-060-023-000 (location of existing vineyard), 027-060-024-000 (location of existing vineyard), 051-200-016-000 (parcel located in Sonoma County; location of proposed water storage tank) and finally 051-010-079-000 (parcel also located in Sonoma County no development or disturbance proposed).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Continue the item to a date uncertain.
STAFF CONTACT: Dana Morrison, Supervising Planner, (707) 253-4437 or dana.morrison@countyofnapa.org
APPLICANT REPRESENTATIVE CONTACT: Jon M. Webb, New Albion California, (707) 290-6740 or jwebb@ablionsurveys.com
body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.
PROPOSED ACTIONS
That the Planning Commission:
1. Continue the item to a date uncertain.
DISCUSSION:
The project was due to be heard at the Planning Commission Hearing on April 16, 2025. However, in finalizing the staff report and compiling the Division approval memos, County staff noticed an inconsistency that requires this item to be continued.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Not applicable at this time as only a continuance is requested.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Staff is recommending that the Commission continue the item to a future hearing date yet to be determined.