AMALIA PALMAZ LIVING TRUST / PALMAZ PERSONAL USE HELIPORT / USE PERMIT #P14-00261 - UP

CEQA Status: Consideration and possible certification of a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR; State Clearinghouse No. 2015122030). According to the FEIR, the proposed Project would not have any significant environmental impacts after implementation of mitigation measures related to potential impacts to: (a) Land Use and Agricultural Resources; (b) Biological Resources; (c) Cultural Resources; and (d) Noise. This proposed Project site is not on any lists of hazardous waste sites enumerated under Government Code Section 65962.5.

Proposed Project (Project): The Amalia Palmaz Living Trust (applicant) requests approval of a Use Permit (P14-00261 - UP) to allow construction and operation of a personal use heliport on approximately 0.5 acres of the 220.4-acre property located at 4031 Hagen Road, Napa (the property). The heliport would include construction of a 60-foot long by 60-foot wide helicopter landing pad (helipad) and an approximately 4,000 square foot hangar and storage building on the property. The heliport is proposed for the private use of the resident owners of the property for up to a maximum of four arrival and four departure flights per week, and it is proposed to be located on a hillside area that is currently occupied by terraced vineyards. Structures and facilities proposed as accessory to the proposed heliport include: (a) a new fire hydrant; (b) a new water line connecting to the existing water line; (c) a stormwater quality bioretention basin; and (d) two 5,000-gallon water tanks for fire suppression. Additionally, the existing, private vineyard road providing access to the proposed heliport would be improved, widened and paved to comply with Napa County Road and Street Standards (RSS). The property at 4031 Hagen Road, Napa, is located approximately two miles east of the City of Napa municipal boundary, has a General Plan land use designation of Agriculture, Watershed and Open Space (AWOS), and is located in the Agricultural Watershed (AW) zoning district (Assessor’s Parcel No. 033-110-080).

Staff Recommendation: Open the public hearing; accept public comments on the Project and adequacy of the FEIR. Upon completion of public comment, refer the matter to the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) for its consideration at a special ALUC meeting to be held on March 22, 2017, and a determination of whether the Project is consistent with the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUP). Continue the item to a special meeting of the Planning Commission to be held on March 22, 2017 (after the ALUC meeting), for decisions on the Project and FEIR.

Staff Contact: Dana Ayers, Planner III, phone 707-253-4388 or email dana.ayers@countyofnapa.org

Applicant’s Representative: Brian Russell, Abbott & Kindermann, LLP, phone 707-294-2775 or email brussell@aklandlaw.com