Napa Planning Commission Regular Meeting - June 3, 2021
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Napa Planning Commission Regular Meeting - June 3, 2021
The Napa Planning Commission held a regular meeting on June 3, 2021, at 5:30 PM via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting addressed two public hearing items: a use permit for a childcare center (Little Rays of Sunshine) and a temporary use permit and design review for an outdoor entertainment venue (Oxbow Yard). The Commission also received public comments on a non-agenda item regarding a proposed Chick-fil-A drive-through.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Two written public comments were read into the record concerning a proposed Chick-fil-A drive-through at the South Square Shopping Center. Christina Benz (Napa Climate Now) and the Napa Sierra Club expressed concerns about increased air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion, and inconsistency with the city's climate goals. They urged the Commission to deny the drive-through and consider alternatives such as curbside pickup.
- During the public hearing for Little Rays of Sunshine, multiple community members (Ryan Stettons, Deborah Elliott, Allison Stelfner, Christine Kyle, Austin Johnson, Ruby Rojas, Kimberly Campbell) spoke in support, citing the critical shortage of infant care in Napa, the quality of care provided by the applicants, and the need for flexible hours for working parents.
- During the Oxbow Yard public hearing, several individuals provided testimony: Carlotta Sainato (Napa County Bicycle Coalition) requested ample, secure bike parking and safe bicycle access; John Solomon expressed concerns about parking adequacy and the potential for the use to expand; Wayne O’Connell (property owner) supported the project, emphasizing it would activate a dead zone and that parking issues require broader collaboration. Written comments from JB Lemer, Robert Mew, and Katie Schaefer were also read, with Mew and Schaefer opposing the project due to parking and potential harm to existing businesses, while Lemer supported it.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the Planning Commission meeting minutes of May 20, 2021, by a roll call vote (Commissioners Huether and Kelley recused as they were absent at that meeting).
Consent Hearings
- Napa Cigar Liquor Service Use Permit (1147 First Street) – Approved on consent after no commissioner or public member requested it be pulled for a hearing. One public speaker expressed support for the business.
Discussion Items
- Little Rays of Sunshine Use Permit (2641 Laurel Street): Staff presented a proposal for a new childcare center serving up to 53 children (ages 6 weeks to 5 years) within an existing church structure. The project required no exterior alterations, only interior modifications and a new playground. The applicants (Mandela Kumciel, Pati Mariella, and Angelica) described their backgrounds in early childhood education and the community need for infant care. The Commission discussed parking adequacy (45 spaces remaining after playground installation), state licensing requirements, and flexible hours. Commissioner Massaro proposed adding a passenger loading zone on Laurel Street; staff recommended language that the applicant work with city staff to explore this. The Commission included that as a non-binding recommendation.
- Oxbow Yard Temporary Use Permit & Design Review (585 First Street): Staff detailed a proposed one-year temporary outdoor entertainment venue with beer garden, wine tasting, distillery, art booths, and acoustic music. The site is across from CIA at Copia and includes six parcels with existing parking. The applicant (Perry Clark) presented modifications from the earlier May 20 deferral, including relocating tasting booths to reduce noise, adding employee parking, and emphasizing the reactivation of existing infrastructure. Key issues raised by commissioners and public included: parking demand (173 spaces, 32 reserved for Oxbow Market, 28 required for the yard), noise (65 dB limit, acoustic-only music, 9 PM curfew), trash management near the river, and a request for a one-year check-in with the Commission. Staff noted ongoing city efforts for downtown wayfinding signs, a parking and mobility study, and private-sector parking solutions. Commissioner Massaro expressed strong opposition citing inadequate parking and burden on neighboring businesses; Vice Chair Oñate and Commissioner Huether supported the project with conditions.
Key Outcomes
- Little Rays of Sunshine: Approved unanimously (5-0) with a resolution determining CEQA exemption and approving the use permit. The Commission added a non-binding condition that the applicant work with city staff to explore a passenger loading zone on Laurel Street.
- Oxbow Yard: Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Massaro dissenting). The motion included several conditions: a one-year check-in report to the Planning Commission; preparation of a refuse management plan to contain trash on site; a baseline acoustical analysis and a subsequent noise study evaluating the need for noise barriers; and staff to determine a threshold for requiring shuttle buses for private events. The Commission also noted the applicant should work with staff to explore parking solutions.
- The Commission discussed future agenda items, including the Chick-fil-A project at South Square Shopping Center, which is expected to return for a public hearing after additional review.
Meeting Transcript
Oh, actually no. It's time to go. Chair Kelly. Time to go. All right. Well, good evening. Welcome to the June 3rd, 2021 City of Napa. Recording in progress. Okay. Our first item of business is roll call. I would like to call the city to order and ask staff to conduct role. Chair Kelly. Present. Vice Chair. Yeah. Present. Commissioner Heeler. I'm here. Commissioner Masaro. Frozen. Commissioner Hurtado. Here. All who are present. President Cabinet Four. Item number two, summary of the meeting procedures. Staff, can you please explain to our viewers how the public will participate in the meeting to see? Thank you, Sher 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. And this appears as an on screen button for those who've been who have joined us online. For those members of the public who have joined the meeting by calling into the teleconference from their phone, they should push star guinea to indicate that they wish to speak when the item of interest comes up. And if members of the public submit email comments with 500 words or less to planning staff before the meeting starts and requested the comments are read at the meeting, we will read those comments into the record when those items are called. Very good. Thank you, Aaron. Um, our item number three agenda review. The planning commission conducts all meetings in Port Ralph and Brown Act and pursuant to the city's rules of order for planning commission meetings. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the commission will conduct this meeting as a teleconference in accordance to the governor's executive orders. Staff, are there any uh changes to this evening's agenda? No, there are not. Very well. Um commissioners, uh, any proposed changes to this evening's agenda. Um commissioners. Um I I was kind of thinking to suggest that the first two items could go on consent, but then I thought then I rethought it and um didn't care at liquor seem to be sensitive subjects, so I guess I'll withdraw my thought unless I can get any traction with my colleagues. I believe there's a fair amount of comment on item number seven. Little rays of sunshine, so I believe we should leave it because I haven't seen that, but um I that's totally fine. I shouldn't nothing continue. Please start Mr. Chair. Okay. Um public comment. Um public comment provides an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the planning commission on items of interest that are not otherwise on tonight's agenda.
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