Napa Planning Commission Regular Meeting – June 18, 2026
Napa Planning Commission Regular Meeting – June 18, 2026
The Napa Planning Commission held its regular meeting on June 18, 2026, at 1:30 PM. The commission approved the minutes from the previous meeting and unanimously approved a use permit for Morimoto Asia to add live entertainment and extended hours. Staff also announced the release of the draft zoning ordinance update and upcoming public workshops.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of June 4, 2026 Meeting Minutes: The motion was made, seconded, and approved with two ayes and one abstention (Commissioner Ebach absent, Vice Chair Myers arrived later). The chair briefly questioned whether two votes were sufficient but proceeded with approval.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made on non‑agenda items. No public testimony was offered during the Morimoto Asia public hearing.
Discussion Items
- Item 7a – Morimoto Asia Entertainment Use Permit (790 Main Street):
- Staff reported that the applicant seeks a joint entertainment use permit to host live music, DJs, and other entertainment, along with extended hours until 1:00 AM on Fridays, Saturdays, and certain holidays. The site is an existing 6,000 sq. ft. restaurant within the downtown entertainment overlay district. The proposal includes a dance floor occupying about 21% of the space, two security guards from 9:30 PM to closing, and compliance with noise limits (67 dB at property line, 65 dB at residential property lines). The police department had no concerns.
- Applicant Vince Lee, regional GM for Morimoto, emphasized creating a safe late‑night environment, including contacts for taxi services and emergency/non‑emergency police lines.
- Commissioners expressed strong support, noting the need for more dance venues in downtown Napa and commending the applicant’s safety plan. Commissioner Myers, who arrived late, voiced agreement.
- Vote: Commissioner Masaro made a motion to approve the use permit as recommended by staff; Commissioner Shotwell seconded. The motion passed unanimously (4‑0; Commissioner Ebach absent).
Key Outcomes
- Approved: A joint entertainment use permit for Morimoto Asia, allowing live/amplified music and extended hours until 1:00 AM, with CEQA exemption.
- Upcoming Meetings: Staff announced a special meeting on June 30, 2026, for a substantial project, and a regular meeting on July 2, 2026.
- Zoning Ordinance Update: The public draft of the comprehensive zoning ordinance update (474 pages, draft zoning map, and executive memo) was released. A public workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Napa Library, and a Planning Commission study session on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the council chambers. The public can submit comments via zoningupdate@cityofnapa.org.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the June 18th, 2026 City of Napa regular meeting for the Planning Commission. I'd like to call this meeting to order and ask Myra to conduct a roll call, please. Commissioner Masaro. Present. Commissioner Shotwell. Present. Chair Owen. Present. And then I have Commissioner Ebach noted as absent, and then the Vice Chair Myers will be here shortly. We will now rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. The Planning Commission conducts all meetings in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and pursuant to the city's rules of order for Planning Commission meetings policy resolution 10. Staff, are there any changes to the evening's agenda or any supplemental reports? No updates to tonight's agenda. Commissioners, are there any proposed changes to this evening's agenda? All right. 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 comment on non-agenda items? Consent calendar. These routine items may be approved by a single vote. However, any member of the public or a commissioner may remove an item for consideration during the public hearing portion of the agenda. This evening we are reviewing the planning commission regular meeting minutes for June 4th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve the meeting minutes for the June 4th, 2026 Planning Commission regular meeting? Oh moved. Do we have can I second? All right. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Abstain. So with two, is that enough to go forward? Okay, great. Thank you. We do not have any consent hearings tonight, so moving on to public hearings. These are items that are formally presented to the planning commission and provide an opportunity for members of the public to comment. Applicants or appellants are allowed 10 minutes to present testimony at the beginning of the public hearing, and if needed, five minutes to present rebuttal at the end of the public hearing. All other speakers will be limited to three minutes. Tonight we have the following item. Item 7a, Morimoto Asia entertainment use permit at 790 Main Street. And we will start with commissioner disclosures. I spoke with staff. I'm familiar with the space I have visited many times. I am a frequent flyer as well. And we will now hear a report from staff. Good evening, everybody. I'll be presenting on the proposed use permit request for Morimoto Asia. Vince Lee is also here from the applicant team.
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