Planning & Building Update

Land Use Applications and Projects - The Land Use application for 1980 Yountville Crossroads (Oak & Vine Subdivision) was determined complete and staff continues to review the project for consistency with zoning, General Plan, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  Staff are tentatively looking at the project going to ZDRB in April.

The Mixed-Use project at the corner of Humboldt and Jefferson Street resubmitted the project for review on 12/11/2023. The resubmittal has been deemed incomplete. Staff will be meeting with applicant next week to discuss the comments from staff.

In December of 2023, planning staff received a new Land Use application for the Perry Lane Restaurant located at 6539 Washington Street. The application is for an addition and renovation of the existing restaurant to accommodate a new restaurant at that location. The restaurant will be called “The George”.   The submittal was deemed incomplete.

Staff continue to work on The French Laundry Garden Land Use Application.

ZDRB - The Board has an upcoming meeting next week on Tuesday, February 13 at 5:30 p.m. The following items are on the agenda:

• 6867 Jefferson Street – Single Family Dwelling Remodel
• Bardessono Hotel at 6526 Washington Street -   Parlor Room and Terrace Addition
• 2 Heritage Court – Single Family Dwelling Remodel and Expansion

Building Permit Summary Reports are available to view online! We've also created a "How To" video about how to apply for and search for permits online. In this video, you'll learn how to locate open building permits using the property address. Check out the video to learn more!

Staff continue to work with our consultants on satisfying the Housing Element Update criteria established by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The Housing Element may potentially be brought to the ZDRB in April with modifications addressing all HCD comments/concerns.

Tree Removals - The Planning & Building Department received information about a potentially hazardous tree, which began leaning during the recent storm. The tree met the criteria of YMC (b)(4)(i) in that it had become damaged during the storm and posed a near-term threat to the health and safety of people and structures in the vicinity. In this instance, pruning the limbs to remedy the tree's tilt would not be successful as this would damage its overall structural health and integrity. This scenario falls under an exception to requiring a Tree Removal Permit. The town arborist will be inspecting trees throughout the community in the coming weeks to evaluate any other storm-related damage.

The Planning & Building Department denied one application for the removal of a 19.6” DBH Raywood Ash located at 1923 Oak Circle as it was determined by the town arborist that the reason for removal could be mitigated within reason. 

The Planning & Building Department approved a Tree Removal Permit for the removal of two Elm trees and one Walnut tree at 2175 Monroe Street. The town arborist determined that there were several concerns with the trees including poor conditions, indication of root problems, dead roots and fungal conks causing hollowness. The permit has been conditioned to require the replacement of the three trees with three 15-gallon trees selected from the town’s California Native Tree List and/or Master Tree List. 

Get to Know Battalion Chiefs Ryan Isham and JC Greenberg

Chief Ryan Isham began his career in the fire service as a volunteer with Napa County Fire in 2004. In June of 2007, Ryan was hired with CAL FIRE as a Firefighter I in the Sonoma Lake Napa Unit (LNU), working at Las Posadas, Spanish Flat, and Boggs Mountain Helitack. In April 2011, Ryan accepted a Fire Apparatus Engineer position in LNU, working at Spanish Flat Station. While working at Spanish Flat, he was a member of the LNU Safety Committee. In January 2014, Ryan transferred to Napa County Fire Department at Napa Station. While working in Napa, he assisted as an SCBA Technician, was part of Napa County's Water Rescue Team, and oversaw the water rescue equipment for the County.

Ryan accepted a Lieutenant Fire Captain position at the St. Helena Emergency Command Center in May 2015, which became permanent in January 2016. While assigned to St. Helena ECC, he assumed duties as Communication Operator Supervisor. Since January 2018, Ryan has been the Station Captain of Spanish Flat Station. In 2021, Ryan was promoted to Battalion Chief in the Mendocino Unit. Ryan returned to Napa County in November of 2023.

Ryan has been part of the LNU C-212 cadre, Instructor cadre for LNU Basic Firefighter Academy and Napa County Volunteer Academy, and a CPR instructor. Over the course of his career, Ryan has received his C Faller card, is a qualified Strike Team Leader, and a Division Group Supervisor.

Ryan and his wife Jessalyn have three children: Jackson, Jeb, and Remie. They reside in Napa County.

Chief JC Greenberg began his career with CAL FIRE LNU in 2000 at Las Posadas Station. Simultaneously, he began his time with Gold Ridge Fire Protection District as a Volunteer Firefighter. In 2003, he accepted a Firefighter I position at Boggs Mountain Helitack for three seasons and then was promoted to Lieutenant Fire Apparatus Engineer at the Middletown Station in 2006. JC accepted a Lieutenant Fire Apparatus Engineer position in 2007 at LNU/Napa County Fire - Yountville Station and then accepted a permanent Fire Apparatus Engineer job there in 2008. In 2012, he was promoted to Lieutenant Fire Captain at Delta Conservation Camp and later accepted a permanent Fire Captain Job in 2013 at the LNU Training Bureau. In December of 2015, JC transferred to Lake Berryessa’s Spanish Flat Fire Station for the next four years. In 2019, he then accepted a Fire Captain position in Napa County as the Napa Firewise Liaison responsible for vegetation management planning and implementation. In 2021, he was promoted to Battalion Chief in Napa County focusing on fuels modification.

JC is currently a Board of Director at Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (NCFF, Napa Firewise), a member of the Napa County Interagency Rescue Team, an instructor with C-234 Firing Operations, a State Fire Training Registered Instructor, and a Board Member at Napa County Fire Service Advisory Committee. Additionally, he has been a past member of sub-committees locally here in LNU, including the Unit Safety Committee, Operations Working Group, and Engine Standardization Committee. JC is a qualified Strike Team Leader, Division Group Supervisor, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. 

JC and his wife Natalie have two sons Andrew and Grant and live locally in Napa County.

Blue Zones Cooking Demo- Valentine's Day Edition!

Learn how to apply Blue Zones Project principles with your fellow community members and our team, for healthier cooking options using veggies, fruits, whole grains, beans and nuts. You’ll take home tips for tastier and healthier meals and snacks that your family and friends will love. Join us for this Cooking Demo to learn how to make delicious Blue Zones Project inspired dishes! Register here!