TO: NAPA COUNTY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: Alexander Sanchez for Brian D. Bordona - Planning, Building, Environmental Services Director
REPORT BY: Alexander Sanchez, Planner I
SUBJECT: Arts for All Gala at Nickel & Nickel Winery
RECOMMENDATION
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Nickel & Nickel Winery Arts for All Gala - Category 4 Temporary Event Application #P26-00148
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 P26-00148 filed by Cori Fagundes of Festival Napa Valley to hold Arts for All Gala at Nickel & Nickel Winery. This event will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, from 5:00pm-11:00pm with a maximum of 420 people in attendance. This event is proposed to be held on one (1) parcel located at Nickel & Nickel Winery, 8164 St. Helena Hwy, Oakville, CA 94562, Assessor’s Parcel # 031-010-013-000.
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: Cori Fagundes, Assistant Director of Events, Festival Napa Valley, (707) 342-0153, cori@festivalnapavalley.org.
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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 Category 4 License P26-00148.
Discussion: On May 21, 2026, Cori Fagundes applied for a permit for a Category 4 Temporary event to be held at Nickel & Nickel Winery on Assessor’s Parcel # 031-010-013-000 on July 12, 2026, for a maximum of 420 people from 5:00pm-11:00pm. The event will be opened to the public and the number of attendees will be controlled by number of tickets sold.
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.
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: Dana Vivier of Nickel & Nickel Winery
Applicant/Representative: Cori Fagundes, Assistant Director of Events, Festival Napa Valley, (707) 342-0153, cori@festivalnapavalley.org.
General Plan Designation: Agricultural Resource (AR)
Zoning: Agricultural Preserve (AP)
Project Site Area: 34.65 acres
Application Submittal Date: May 21, 2026
Code Compliance History: There are no new violations on record with this proposed activity.
Discussion: The applicant, Cori Fagundes of Festival Napa Valley, requests a license to hold the Arts for All Gala on Sunday July 12, 2026 with the event taking place on Assessor’s Parcel # 031-010-013-000. A maximum of 420 people will be in attendance and controlled through ticket sales. Hours of the event are 5:00pm-11:00pm. Per the venue site plans, ADA restrooms will be available for the public as required by the Minimum Standards. Parking for the event will also be provided on the property.
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 420 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 June 11, 2026.
The application is complete per the County’s application checklist and the required Certificate of Insurance was provided. Other agencies and departments were notified of the application and have determined the application meets or will likely meet the Minimum Standards that are within those agencies and departments’ jurisdictional authority.
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