Napa Planning Commission Regular Meeting - August 1, 2024
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Napa Planning Commission Regular Meeting - August 1, 2024
The Napa Planning Commission met on August 1, 2024, at 5:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of consent items, a quarterly development report, and a public hearing on a proposed modification to the 1890 Pueblo Avenue self-storage facility. Commissioners approved the design review permit after extensive discussion and conditions.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes for July 18, 2024, by unanimous vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Petra Marie Van Winden Sullivan, co-owner of Van Winden's nursery (across from the project), spoke in opposition to the third-story addition, citing concerns about noise, traffic, loss of mountain views, and a feeling of being squeezed out after 71 years. She expressed willingness to accept a second story but opposed three stories.
- Joe Sullivan, husband of Petra, echoed concerns about construction noise, worker parking on the street, and traffic impacts, arguing a self-storage unit should not be three stories.
Discussion Items
- Quarterly Development Report (Item 8A): Michael Walker presented development data for Q1 and Q2 2024, including 3 parcel maps, 1 single-family design review permit, 1 multifamily design review permit, 5 use permits, 9 historic certificate of appropriateness applications, and 69 residential building permits. No action required.
- 1890 Pueblo Avenue Self-Storage Modification (Item 7A, continuation from July 18, 2024): Staff presented a request to add a second and third story to a previously approved self-storage facility, increasing height from 23 ft to a maximum of 40 ft (dormer peaks), square footage from 44,598 to 99,315, and units from 473 to 841. The project is in the Light Industrial (IL) zone, permitted by right. Staff found it compliant with development standards and CEQA exempt (infill). The applicant team (Wayne O'Connell, Preston, and artist Morgan Brick) presented revised designs with increased articulation, dormers, pop-outs, and three large murals. Commissioner Huether requested adjusting the mural's cowboy girl slightly to the left; artist agreed. Commissioners praised the design improvements and art. Public comment from Van Winden's expressed opposition. During deliberation, Vice Chair Kelly and Commissioner Owen noted concerns but found no grounds to deny given the project meets zoning and design review criteria. Commissioner Huether moved to approve with conditions, including confirming fake windows on Highway 29 side are not illuminated (as per Condition #5 in staff report) and ensuring mullions appear realistic. Motion seconded and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the consent calendar and consent hearing (Third Street Tentative Parcel Map, APN 002-162-028) without objection.
- Received the quarterly development report as information.
- Approved the Design Review Permit for the 1890 Pueblo Avenue self-storage modification (PL23-0020) by a unanimous vote (4-0, with Commissioner Myers absent). Conditions include compliance with staff's Condition #5 regarding window detailing and no exterior lighting on the false windows. The project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15332.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the August 1st, 2024 City of Napa regular meeting for the Planning Commission. I would like to call this meeting to order and ask staff to conduct roll call. Commissioner Heuther. Live in the dream. Vice Chair Kelly. Here. And Chair Shawwell. Present. And then I have Commissioner Myers noted absent for today. We will now rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation undergo indivisible liberty and justice for all. The Planning Commission conducts all meetings in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. Are there any changes to this evening's agenda staff? Yes, I'd like to propose that we move item 8A up to be heard first. Anyway I have no objection. Do we need to vote on that? Okay, great. Let's do it. Okay. That's your item, Walker. Oh, yeah, we did. Okay. So we'll go to I go to public comment right now and then we'll go. Okay. Yeah, you could do the consent and then the public comment first, and then we'll start with 8A after that. Perfect. Okay. Public comment. Public comment provides an opportunity for members of the public to directly address the planning commission on items of interest not otherwise noted on the agenda. Each speaker's comments will be limited to three minutes and will comply with the rules of order for planning commission meetings. Do we have any members of the public who wish to provide public comments on non-agenda items? Okay. Consent calendar. These routine items may be approved by a single vote. However, any member of the public or commissioner may move an item for consideration during the public hearing portion of the agenda. This evening we are reviewing the planning commission regular meeting minutes for July 18th, 2024, which I believe was one of the shortest meetings in history. Is there a motion to approve the consent calendar as submitted? So moved. And because commission, I mean chair, vice chair Kelly was not here, right? For the minutes for that meeting. So I would second and then all in favor. Two works. There's two work for you. Okay. So it motion passes. There you go.
openpublica.com