Preserve the Angwin bubble

Dear editor, This week the Napa County Planning Commission is hearing public testimony regarding possible changes to the “urban bubble” in Angwin.

While this topic is just one of many the planning commission must consider while developing the new general plan for Napa County, it is an important topic that affects all residents of Napa County, particularly those who reside outside the incorporated towns of Napa, American Canyon, St. Helena and Calistoga.

The Angwin urban bubble is one of many bubbles, or “general plan designations” noted on county-planning maps over 30 years ago as areas appropriate for residential growth. In the case of Angwin, the bubble was intended to serve both the needs of Pacific Union College and the community. Allow me to quote the Napa County planning document.

Policies: “Policy Ag/LU-52: The county shall seek to maintain Angwin’s rural setting and character while supporting continued operation of Pacific Union College and providing opportunities for limited commercial services focused on the Angwin community.

“Policy Ag/LU-53: The ‘urbanized’ area of Angwin shown on the county’s land use map shall contain institutional uses (i.e. the college), residential uses, and limited neighborhood-serving non-residential uses.”

These policies, and others, clearly support limited growth. The urban bubble, as a planning concept, is used in Angwin, Berryessa Estates, Deer Park, Moskowite Corners, Silverado and other areas of the county. These areas were identified, years ago, as regions of the county where planned residential growth would be allowed and encouraged. Now, all these years later, the wisdom of such pre-planning for natural growth is being threatened and attacked by community members and groups who desire zero growth and no new neighbors now that they have moved into beautiful Napa County.

I encourage the planning commission to build on the concepts of healthy, controlled growth contained in the existing general plan as planning takes place for the next general plan. Napa County has long promoted slow growth in population for the unincorporated areas of the county. Even slow growth will need appropriate areas of the county to be designated for the homes and neighborhoods of the future. Such areas are already designated within the various “bubbles” on county planning documents. Please plan for the future and preserve the Angwin bubble.

Craig Philpott / Angwin

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