TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Sheryl D. Bratton, County Counsel
REPORT BY: Laura Anderson, Deputy County Counsel
SUBJECT: Rutherford Ranch Winery - Findings of Fact
RECOMMENDATION
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Consideration and adoption of a Resolution of Findings of Fact and Decision on Appeal regarding an appeal filed by Water Audit California (Appellant) concerning the Napa County Planning Commission's decision on June 21, 2023, to approve the Rutherford Ranch Winery Use Permit Major Modification No. P19-00126-MOD and Use Permit Exception to the Conservation Regulations P23-00145 submitted by Marko B. and Theo Zaninovich, Round Hill Cellars (Applicant or Rutherford Ranch) for an existing winery located at 1680 Silverado Trail South, St. Helena, CA. (No Fiscal Impact; Mandatory)
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BACKGROUND
At the appeal hearing on February 6, 2024, the Board heard and considered evidence submitted from the Appellant, Applicant, Staff, and members of the public regarding the appeal. After considering all of the evidence presented, the Board closed the public hearing and adopted a motion of intent to: 1) deny the appeal in its entirety; 2) uphold the Planning Commission's approval of the Rutherford Ranch Winery Use Permit Major Modification No. P19-00126-MOD and Use Permit Exception to the Conservation Regulations No. P23-00145 and adoption of a Negative Declaration; and 3) adopt revised conditions of approval.
The revised conditions of approval (attached as Exhibit "A"): a) impose additional restrictions on groundwater use, including the reduction of the groundwater use limit/quantity, the installation and operation of the well pump flow restrictor or equivalent equipment, a limit to the well pumping rate, and no increase to the existing well pumping duration and frequency; b) extend the submittal date for the work plan for the removal of existing improvements and the restoration plan; c) extend the deadline for completing the removal and restoration work; d) extend the deadline to comple...
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