Plans to divide a key piece of land in Capell Valley owned by Napa County Supervisor Harold Moskowite could lead to future development of up to 100 homes, though the lack of available infrastructure will likely keep it in grapes in the near term.

Local businessman, developer and Moskowite political ally Mark Power is poised to purchase the two ten-acre parcels if and when approval is given for rezoning and the parcel split. He said he originally eyed the land to develop for housing, but the lack of sewer and water squelched that idea.

Moskowite speculated, "I think he (Power) might be going to plant grapes." Power said that in the short term, that is all that is feasible.

Moskowite's request to divide the property that currently contains his Moss Creek Winery facility, and to rezone the two smaller properties, comes before the county's planning commission on Wednesday.

The plan is to retain 21 acres of the 41 acre property for the winery, splitting off two ten-acre parcels.

Given the current zoning, very little additional activity would take place. With the request for rezoning and an affordable housing overlay added when the county's new general plan housing element was adopted, housing becomes possible in the future.

The staff report to the commission notes that four units per acre can be approved administratively and up to ten units per acre may be built by going through a use permit hearing process.

Regarding the Moskowite property, the county's housing element states, "The county expects to be able to accommodate a maximum of 100 multi-family or subsidized single-family manufactured homes, of which at least 25 units would be affordable to low or very-low income households."

Moskowite said he has never had any plans to build housing even with the recent designation as one of four areas around the county that could be used for affordable housing if the property owner exercises that right and comes up with an acceptable plan.

Power shifted to vineyard development when he learned about water and sewer problems, something he has also done before. "We looked at that and got pretty positive results," he said. Power said the main stumbling block to getting water to the property is the state's Department of Water Resources, which must approve it. "The water's there," said Power. "It's an arduous task that could take years."

Nearby the property there is a mobile home park, an abandoned service station that is the site of an environmental hot spot, boat and RV storage, a store and a bar.

The planning staff is recommending the commission approve a mitigated negative environmental declaration along with a monitoring plan and approval of the zoning and parcel request. Power anticipates smooth sailing at the commission meeting.

The prospective purchaser Power was Moskowite's finance chairman during the 2004 election when the supervisor wrested the District 5 seat from Mike Rippey, ultimately winning a court battle to cement his victory.