Napa Planning Commission supports annexation near Big Ranch Road in city's north
The northeast corner of Napa near Big Ranch Road is home to agriculture, single-family homes and a slower pace of life. Thursday night, Napa's city Planning Commission made an endorsement that could change that in the coming years.
The commission unanimously supported a request to annex six parcels on 51.5 acres of land near the west side of Big Ranch Road and Trower Avenue. The city's land-use advisory body also recommended that the City Council establish a master plan for about 66 acres around that Big Ranch Road intersection. This request paves the way for city leaders to begin thinking about increasing housing in that region, although it could be years before any actual construction takes place. Commissioner Gordon Huether shared that as a Napa native, he feels that the amount of development in Napa has not always been pretty – but that times are changing. "These one-acre lots, estate lots, I'm sorry to report that for urban planning that's a thing of the past," he said. "That's not happening anymore." Residents near the Big Ranch Road site expressed their concerns about allowing denser housing in the area, and about a lack of city infrastructure to support such growth. However, senior planner Michael Allen replied that Thursday's decision is a first step in aligning the area's land uses with the terms of Napa's 2040 General Plan, approved two years ago. "All that is happening today is moving a line on a map," Allen said. "There is no development proposal, therefore there is no need, (and neither) is it appropriate, to discuss concerns about traffic and densities." When Napa adopted its general plan in October 2022, it changed the land use designation of that area from single-family residential, with density ranges from zero to six housing units an acre, to a medium-density residential label for eight to 18 units an acre. "This application before the commission tonight is not requesting an increase in density. They're requesting annexation of their properties," Allen said. Allen explained that the Big Ranch Road properties hae been within the city's sphere of influence for more than 30 years, meaning that their eventual annexation has long been assumed. With that said, the general plan also requires passing a master plan for development to occur, which could take years. The decision to endorse the annexation to city council came at the request of the six property owners, spearheaded by Theresa Van Winden-Staggs. Six of the other property owners in the area opposed annexation of their properties, and Allen confirmed that their properties will not be annexed into the city. During public comments Thursday, some residents said they were not properly informed of the years-long plan, worried about their property values, and wondered how denser housing would affect their quality of life. "I would have thought common courtesy would have been able to share this was going on, and that it would affect my property," said Rosewood Lane resident Bruce Silcox. Emily Stanton, a fellow Rosewood Lane resident, has lived on her family's property for over 50 years. The higher-density land use designation concerned her. "We're very concerned about our property value because that's pretty dense to go in right next to us," Stanton said. "We've invested our lives to make sure our homes are going to be appreciated for your children as well." After public comments, Allen noted that it is not the city's responsibility to notify residents about general plan updates. "Everywhere in this city got upzoned, not just this parcel," he said. "We didn't notify any one location and we can't notify everyone in the city limits. Times have changed since 30 years ago. Housing requirements are different." At the end of the meeting, Commissioner Alexander Myers said the city's further growth is inevitable, but he wants it to be done the best way possible for residents. "Just because we're supporting the expansion of city limits in this way, doesn't mean we're not listening or here to try and meet your interests," Myers said. September 18 recap: Napa Valley and nearby news you may have missed todayDon't miss Wednesday's most popular stories from Napa Valley Register.
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