County to update 20-year-old General Plan

By JAY GOETTING
Register Staff Writer

The road map to Napa County's future has not been revisited for more than two decades, so planners are embarking on what could be a multi-million dollar update of the county's General Plan.

"This is all about the people of Napa County," said Planning Commissioner John Dickson. "I hope we get a lot of input."

The last General Plan update was completed in 1983, and supervisors have set aside $1 million this fiscal year for a process that is expected to last at least three years.

"It's expensive, but it's worth it," said Commission Vice-chair Bob Fiddaman, who also worked on the General Plan update for the city of Calistoga. "Since we do it every 20 years, let's do it right."

County planning commissioners Thursday had a work session to outline what they think should be included in the document, which has seven mandatory sections or elements. One is the housing element, which is in the process of being updated to meet state standards and to comply with regional housing needs.

The plan will also contain elements dealing with land use, circulation, open space, noise, safety and conservation.

The county may also include optional sections dealing with a host of other issues, although there was consensus to include an agricultural element. "A county like Napa that doesn't have an agricultural element is missing the boat," said Fiddaman.

Sandy Elles of the Napa County Farm Bureau agreed, and said sustainability should be the driving theme in updating the General Plan.

Deputy Planning Director Steve Lederer said the county could simply revise and update the current document or use the "clean slate approach" and start anew. Commissioners opted for a middle ground, rebuilding on the current plan and adding new information.

Other elements that could be included are the County Character, containing such items as viewshed and scenic highways, and Community Services, which would encompass schools, day care and other public institutions. Also mentioned were Water Management and Historic Preservation.

Parts of the new General Plan could also end up before voters, probably in either the March or November election of 2006. A Measure J vote could be required if the plan contains changes to lands currently zoned for agriculture.

The role the wine industry plays was a recurring theme in the discussion with commissioners pondering whether there comes a point when there is buildout. "Should there be a winery on every 10-acre parcel?" asked Commissioner Jim King, who also pointed out there's a changing face of Napa County voters. "They're younger. They vote, but they don't know the history of the Napa Valley."

While staff expertise and community input will be crucial to the process, a consultant will become a principal player in the plan preparation. Commissioners agreed that a 15- to 20-member steering committee should be put in place to help guide the process.

Sonoma County recently used a full-time planner with three staff members to complete its plan, and there was even a suggestion that a moratorium on permit application processing could occur while the updating goes on. That appears to be an unlikely scenario.

During public comment, Napan John Stephens told commissioners the current General Plan puts too much emphasis on wine and tourism and not enough on the workers. He applauded the recent Montalcino Resort requirement that contains a so-called living wage provision.

He also suggested a moratorium on water hookups in the Milliken-Sarco-Tulocay area until the water table is stabilized.

Debra Blodgett of Winegrowers of Napa County stressed the importance of the wine industry. Without it, she cautioned, the vineyards could make way for houses.

With the present plan definitely showing its age with dated policies and changed law, there was a question as to how long a view to the future the new plan should take. There was some sentiment to look at what was termed "buildout" in some areas which could go to 2030, and consultant David Early, of Design, Community and Environment, said, "Most General Plans are developed for a 15- to 20-year horizon and are expected to be updated every 10 years."

Details of the process will be placed before the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 21.

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