Planning Commission 2/18/2009 Regular Meeting

LAKE LUCIANA LLC. – LAKE LUCIANA GOLF COURSE - USE PERMIT APPLICATION P07-00398-UP
CEQA Status: Final Environmental Impact Report Prepared.
A Draft EIR was prepared and a public hearing was held on the Draft EIR during the 78 day public comment and review period. Written responses to comments received during the public review period have been incorporated into a Final EIR consisting of the Draft EIR, public and agency comments, responses to comments, and required clarifications and changes to the text of the Draft EIR. The Planning Commission will consider approval or denial of the project following certification of the Final EIR.
Request: Approval of a request to construct an 18-hole championship golf course, attendant buildings and site improvements including lake side recreational uses with a small boat dock and boat storage pavilion and to improve existing dirt access roads to serve the golf course and nearby parcels. Proposed activities associated with the golf course would include the following: 1) Removal of existing vegetation and grading of fairways, cart paths and ancillary buildings including installation of landscaping and irrigation systems; 2) construction of a new clubhouse building with kitchen and eating area for golfers; 3) construction of a swimming pool, small boat dock and provision of canoes, kayaks and small sailboats for use on Lake Luciana; 4) construction of a golf cart storage cave and maintenance building; 5) construction of approximately 25 stream, lake and wetland crossings including riparian habitat restoration; and 6) construction, widening and improvement of the primary access road from Lake Luciana to Pope Valley Road intersecting approximately 1,000 ft. north of Ink Grade to 20 feet except in areas where widening would impact sensitive environmental features.  The proposal further includes a request for a Use Permit exception to the County’s Conservation Regulations to allow portions of existing roads to encroach into the required stream setbacks and a request for an exception to the County’s Road and Street Standards. The proposed golf course is located on approximately 226 acres along the northern edge of Weeks Lake in Pope Valley. The applicant has also proposed reconfiguration of 17 adjacent parcels which occupy approximately 1,180 acres generally north and east of Lake Luciana.  Reconfiguration of the parcels is within the scope of the Final EIR prepared for this project, although the proposed lot line adjustments do not require Commisson approval.  The parcels would be sold individually following execution of a conservation easement or similar deed restriction to protect the northern ridgeline of 15 of the adjacent parcels from future development.  The project site is located approximately one mile northeast of the terminus of Barnett Road within an Agricultural, Watershed and Open Space land use designation and an Agricultural Watershed zoning district. (Assessor’s Parcel #’s: 018-260-017, 018-290-001 to -013, 018-080-056 to -058, -061 and -062, 018-270-013 and -054, 018-240-009, 018-080-063 and -064) Pope Valley.

Staff Recommendation:  That the Planning Commission adopt a motion of intent to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report and approve the project with conditions of approval.
 
Staff Contact:  Ronald Gee 299-1351, rgee@co.napa.ca.us

CONTINUED FROM THE JANUARY 21, 2009 AND FEBRUARY 4, 2009 REGULAR MEETINGS.

NAPA COUNTY HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE - DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT PUBLIC COMMENT HEARING
CEQA Status:  The Draft EIR identifies potentially significant environmental impacts (project-specific and/or cumulative) in a variety of topic areas including land use, population, transportation, cultural resources, visual/aesthetics, public services, biology, fisheries, hydrology and geology, human health, air quality (including green house gas emissions), and noise. Mitigation measures have also been identified where feasible.
Request:  Public hearing to receive comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared regarding the 2009 Housing Element Update.  Copies of the Draft EIR are available for review at the Napa County Department of Conservation, Development & Planning and on the County website at www.co.napa.ca.us.

Recommendation:  Staff will summarize the status of the 2009 Housing Element Update, including comments received from the State Department of Housing and Commuity Development (HCD) and conforming amendments proposed to other sections of the General Plan, and requests that the Commission then accept public comments on the Draft EIR and provide their own comments to staff.  All comments will be responded to in the Final EIR.

Staff Contact:  Hillary Gitelman, 253-4805 hgitelman@co.napa.ca.us

NAPA REDEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, LLC. - NAPA PIPE PROJECT PRESENTATION - GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT P07-00230-GPA 
CEQA Status: Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was issued January 2, 2009.  The 30-day public comment period on the NOP closed February 2, 2009. Comments received during the public comment period are attached to this report and will be used to inform preparation of a Draft EIR.
Request:  The project applicant and representatives will provide a presentation regarding the proposed development including the evolution of the current site plan and smart growth concepts incorporated into the proposal.  Staff will summarize comments received in response to the NOP and discuss the next steps in the planning and review process. The basic concept for the project is to build a high density residential neighborhood with open space, neighborhood-serving retail and restaurants on the northern portion of the site (about 100 acres) and a business park with light industrial/R&D/warehousing, office space, public open space and a condominium hotel on the southern portion of the site (about 50 acres).  The project is located on the west side of Kaiser Road southwest of its intersection with Syar Industrial Way within I:AC (Industrial: Airport Compatibility) zoning district.  Assessor's Parcel Numbers: 046-100-030 & 046-412-005, 1025 Kaiser Road, Napa.

Staff Recommendation: Informational presentation and discussion only.  No action is requested.

Staff Contact: Sean Trippi, 299-1353 strippi@co.napa.ca.us, or Hillary Gitelman, Director, 253-4805 hgitelman@co.napa.ca.us

WATERSHED INFORMATION CENTER AND CONSERVANCY AND AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
Commission discussion and recommendations to the Board of Supervisor concerning appointments of a Planning Commission representative to the Watershed Information Center and Conservancy, and the Airport Advisory Commission.

Staff Recommendation: That the Commission make separate recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for a member to serve on each Commission.

Staff Contact:  John McDowell, 299-1354  jmcdowel@co.napa.ca.us