Napa Planning Commission Meeting – October 15, 2020
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Napa Planning Commission Regular Meeting – October 15, 2020
The Napa Planning Commission convened on October 15, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. via teleconference to consider a consent calendar, two public hearings, and two administrative reports. All five commissioners were present (Chair Huether noted absent). No members of the public spoke during the public comment period or on any agenda items. The Commission approved a consent calendar, approved a subdivision and a tattoo parlor use permit, and certified a 1.4% multifamily rental vacancy rate.
Consent Calendar
- Planning Commission Minutes (September 17, 2020): Approved unanimously by roll call vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were offered on non-agenda items or during any hearing.
Discussion Items
Dornaus Parcel Map II – 1133 Larkin Way (File No. PL20-0056)
- Project Description: Subdivision of a 1.31‑acre parcel (57,369 sq. ft.) containing four existing single-family homes into four parcels (0.17, 0.15, 0.27, and 0.70 acres). The project requested a Tentative Parcel Map, Design Review Permit, Use Permit for Small Lot Development Standards, and a Variance for reduced rear and side yard setbacks. The site is zoned RS‑10 (Single Family Residential).
- Staff Presentation (Bond Mendez): The project was originally approved in 2011 but expired in 2019. The same entitlements are now sought. Staff recommended approval, finding the project exempt from CEQA.
- Applicant’s Representative (Randy Gillardi): Explained delays due to the owner’s illness and death; the owner’s husband is now moving forward. No changes from the prior approval.
- Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Painter noted the unusual configuration and asked about future infill opportunities. Commissioner Oñate requested confirmation that perpetual access easements would be provided.
- Deliberation: Commissioners expressed support, citing the project’s straightforward nature. Commissioner Painter highlighted the project as a potential model for infill development.
- Vote: Motion to approve the parcel map, design review, use permit, and variance, with a condition that all lots have adequate access easements shown on the final map. Approved unanimously (5‑0).
Memento Mori Tattoo Use Permit – 390 Soscol Avenue (File No. PL20-0104)
- Project Description: Use Permit for a 525‑sq.‑ft. tattoo studio (Memento Mori Tattoo) in a community commercial zone. No physical changes to the building are proposed; the previous use was a barber shop. Tattooing is considered a personal care service under California’s COVID‑19 blueprint.
- Staff Presentation (Steven Rosen): Recommended approval, noting the project aligns with General Plan policy LU‑5 and that parking requirements are met. The project is exempt from CEQA.
- Applicant (Henry Deaver): Stated the studio will operate by appointment only, with strict COVID‑19 protocols (masks, gloves, limited capacity, no walk‑ins). The space also includes an art gallery, which is a permitted use.
- Commissioner Questions: Chair Kelly asked about COVID‑19 operations; the applicant described enhanced sanitation and appointment‑only procedures.
- Public Comment: None.
- Deliberation: Commissioners commended the unique business and appropriate location. No concerns raised.
- Vote: Motion to adopt a resolution approving the use permit and CEQA exemption. Approved unanimously (5‑0).
Administrative Reports
Vacancy Rate Determination (2020–2021)
- Staff Report (Michael Walker): The annual survey of apartments with 20+ units found a multifamily rental vacancy rate of 1.4% as of September 2020. This constitutes a severe rental housing shortage, prohibiting condominium conversions for the cycle through August 31, 2021.
- Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Painter noted the importance of both rental and for‑sale housing. Commissioner Oñate requested that future staff reports include the survey data (with personal information redacted).
- Vote: Motion to adopt a resolution certifying the 1.4% vacancy rate. Approved unanimously (5‑0).
Quarterly Development Report (Third Quarter 2020)
- Staff Report (Michael Walker): Highlights included 25 single‑family/townhome building permits, 11 ADU permits, and a surge in outdoor dining/parklet applications (65% of all applications received). The report was informational; no action was taken.
- Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Painter discussed the relationship between current permit trends and future General Plan goals. Chair Kelly asked about winterization of parklets; staff noted a forthcoming “parklet 2.0” program.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved (minutes of September 17, 2020).
- Dornaus Parcel Map II: Approved with added condition for access easements.
- Memento Mori Tattoo Use Permit: Approved.
- Vacancy Rate Determination: Certified at 1.4%, prohibiting condo conversions.
- Quarterly Development Report: Received for information.
- Next Meetings: Upcoming meetings will alternate between development review items and General Plan updates through the end of 2020.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, um according to Patty, we can begin the meeting. All right. Um okay, sorry off a script, so bear with me. Um, good evening, everyone. Welcome to the October 15th, 2020, City of Napa regular meeting for the Planning Commission. Um, item number one, uh call to order and roll call. Um so Patty or Aaron, can we have a roll call, please? Uh yes. Uh Vice Chair Kelly. Present. Commissioner Murray. Present. Commissioner Painter. Present. Commissioner Onyate. Present. Um, Chair Hewther. So all commissioners are present with Chair Hugh there noted absent. All right, thank you very much. Um, our next item summary of meeting procedures. Um staff, can you please explain to our viewers how the public will participate in the meeting this evening? Yes, thank you again, Chair Kelly. For each section of the agenda, when public comment is asked for, members of the public who wish to speak on the item should use Zoom's raise your hand button to indicate that they would like to speak. This is an on screen button who have joined us, folks who have joined us on. If folks are here via their telephone, they can push star nine, and that will actually raise their hand uh in the zoom space. And if we have an opportunity where if members of the public submit email comments, 500 words or less before the meeting and request that they be read aloud, we will read those into the record. Don't believe we have any of those tonight, but that is part of our standard procedure. All right, very good. Thank you. Um, our next item is agenda review. The planning commission conducts all meetings in accordance with the Ralph and Brown Act, California Government Code Section 54950. And pursuant to the city's rules of order for planning commission meetings policy resolution 10. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the commission will conduct this meeting as a teleconference in accordance with the governor's executive orders, n 29-20 and n-63-20. Staff, are there any changes to this evening's agenda? Uh no, Chair, there are not. Um I want to sort of reach out as we're you know, we're on a teleconference here and poll the audience. Um staff, do we um maybe find out from the audience? Do we have any requests to speak on the consent uh hearing items tonight? Uh we have the Dornist parcel map uh item. Is there anybody here who might raise their hand if they're interested in speaking? Um I would like to speak first. Should we go over the consent calendar first? Um yes, we will. Okay. Um also public comment. Yeah. Yeah, okay. Well, in setting and trying to set tonight's uh agenda, I wanted to review our our consent uh hearing items, but we can we can come back to um if we're gonna set the agenda before reviewing consent hearings. Uh during agenda review, you have the opportunity to see if anyone wants to pull anything from consent. Um, I mean that can happen at this time, or you could wait till we get to the consent hearing section of the agenda.
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