TO: NAPA COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: Alexander Sanchez, for Brian D. Bordona - Planning, Building & Environmental Services Director
REPORT BY: Alexander Sanchez, Planner I
SUBJECT: Backstage Access Presents Napa Valley - Golden Reception at Round Pond Winery
RECOMMENDATION
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Backstage Access Presents Napa Valley - Golden Reception Category 4 Temporary Event Application #P26-00030
CEQA Status: Ministerially Exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The project site is not included in the list of hazardous materials sites pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.
Request: Approval of an application for Temporary Event License P26-00030 filed by Susan Duryea of Wildflower Entertainment Group to hold Backstage Access Presents Napa Valley - Golden Reception to be held at Round Pond Winery - The Pole Barn. This event will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 4:30pm-7:00pm with a maximum of 475 people in attendance. This event is proposed to be held on one (1) parcel located at 875 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, CA, Assessor’s Parcel # 030-140-024-000.
Staff Recommendation: Find that the project is Ministerially Exempt from CEQA and approve the Temporary Event Application.
Staff Contact: Alexander Sanchez, Planner I, (707) 253-4419 or alexander.sanchez@countyofnapa.org
Applicant Contact: Susan Duryea, Event Manager, Wildflower Entertainment, (707) 287-5176 susanmduryea@comcast.net.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
That the Zoning Administrator:
1. Find that the project is Ministerially Exempt from the CEQA; and
2. Approve the Temporary Event Permit Category 4 (P26-00030).
Discussion:
On February 13, 2026, Susan Duryea applied for a permit for a Category 4 Temporary event to be held at Round Pond Winery - The Pole Barn, 875 Rutherford Road, Rutherford, CA 94573; Assessor’s Parcel Number 030-140-024-000. This Non subsequent category 4 event proposes to feature wine, appetizers, and live performances by several musical artists throughout the reception, for a maximum of 475 attendees, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. This event is open to the public via ticketed admission, with attendance managed through ticket sales.
Unlike conditional use permits or other discretionary permits, temporary event permits are ministerial and shall be approved and issued if the minimum standards contained in the “Minimum Standards Table” of the Temporary Events Manual (the Minimum Standards) are met. Since the permit is ministerial, the purpose of the hearing is for the Zoning Administrator to evaluate and consider evidence regarding whether the applicant has demonstrated that the minimum standards have been met or are likely to have been met prior to the event. The Zoning Administrator cannot impose standards, conditions, or restrictions on the permit beyond what is provided in the Minimum Standards. As such, the public comment should be limited to whether the Minimum Standards have or have not been met or will likely be met before the event permit. Any permits, approvals or authorizations required from other agencies, departments, or divisions must be satisfied prior to the event.
A temporary event license is a ministerial permit and therefore, such action is final and not subject to the appeal provisions under Napa County Code 2.88.
Staff recommend approval of the request permit subject to compliance with County Code Chapter 5.36 and all applicable Minimum Standards in the Temporary Events Manual prior to the event.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Pursuant to Napa County’s Local Procedures for Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Sections 15022 and 15268 of the State CEQA Guidelines issuance/approval of a temporary event license shall be conclusively presumed to be ministerially exempt from the requirements of CEQA and thus preparation of an environmental document is not required. The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites complied pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Property Owner: Andrea Myers, Director of DTC Sales & Marketing, Round Pond Winery
Applicant/Representative: Susan Duryea, Event Manager, Wildflower Entertainment, (707) 287-5176; susanmduryea@comcast.net.
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 46.23 acres
Application Submittal Date: February 13, 2026
Code Compliance History: There are not new violations on record with this proposed activity.
Discussion:
Event Proposal: The applicant, Susan Duryea, requests a license to hold the Backstage Access Presents Napa Valley - Golden Reception 2026 on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with the event taking place at Round Pond Winery - The Pole Barn on Assessor’s Parcel # 030-140-024-000. The event proposes to host a Golden Hour Welcome Reception serving wine and appetizers, with live music performed by several musical artists during the entirety of the reception, A maximum of 475 people will be in attendance, which will be controlled through ticket sales. Members of the public may purchase a ticket to attend the event. Hours of the event are 4:30pm-7:00pm. Per the venue site plans, ADA restrooms will be available for the public as required by the Minimum Standards.
Noise: Since the temporary event permits are ministerial, applicants are not required to submit a noise study for County review. Furthermore, County Code Section 5.36.010 exempts temporary events from the County’s noise standards, provided such events are conducted pursuant to a license issued pursuant to Chapter 5.36, respectively, of the code and then only as specifically required by such chapter of any manual of standards adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors for the purpose of implementing such chapter.
Permit/License Process: Since the event will have a maximum of 475 attendees, under County Code Section 5.35.015.G, it is considered a Category 4 event. This will be the first Category 4 event to occur on this parcel this year.
Event Authorization: County Code Sections 5.36.050.B requires a public hearing before the Zoning Administrator prior to issuance of a Category 4 license/permit. This Category 4 event meets the definition of a “temporary event” under County Code section 5.36.010, which means “…any festival, fair, show, house or garden design tour, concert, dance, rally, parade, demonstration of competition of creative athletic form, or any other gathering or assemblage of individuals for the purpose of observing or engaging in expressive activities within the ambit of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Sections 2, 3, and 4 of Article 1 of the California Constitution, including, but not limited to music, dance, theater, speech, athletics, or any other visual, audio, or tactile arts, or combination thereof.”
Per County Code Section 5.36.050B, within thirty days following receipt of a completed application, a public hearing shall be scheduled before the Zoning Administrator on the Department’s recommendation. At least ten days prior to the hearing, notice shall be given to property owners within 1,000 feet, interested persons, and mailed to the property owners and emailed to interested parties. The Notice was published in the Napa Valley Register on March 12, 2026.
The application is complete per the County’s application checklist and the required Certificate of Insurance was provided. The applicant submitted a revised application on March 13, 2026, with minor clarifications to the event description. Other agencies and departments were notified of the application and have determined whether the application meets or will likely meet the Minimum Standards that are within those agencies and departments’ jurisdictional authority, subject to a building, fire or environmental health permit following Zoning Administrator authorization of this permit.
Public Comments: As of the date this report was released, no comments have been received.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
1. Attachment A - Application
2. Attachment B - Site Plan