Chapter 13.24 of the Napa Municipal Code (NMC) authorizes the City Council to require removal of surface infrastructure and installation of underground utilities when is necessary to promote the public’s health, safety, or wel fare. The NMC can be referenced for additional information regarding the scope of the Council’s authority.
Telecommunications utilities, including broadband internet and cell phone service, are considered common elements of contemporary life. It is necessa ry that these services are available and adequate to meet the demands of City residents, visitors, and businesses. Rising demand associated with population and employment growth, along with emergency response and disaster preparedness, will necessitate add itional facilities and services to provide reliable and comprehensive coverage. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the California Public Utilities Commission establish rules, regulations, and standards regarding the siting and installation of telecommunications facilities.
4.5 Solid Waste and Recycling
Solid waste generated by households and businesses in the community that is not recycled or composted goes to a landfill. Californians have long been committed to recycling out of a desire to reduce litter, conserve natural resources, and decrease reliance on landfills. Landfill diversion rate is a metric used to calculate how much waste is recycled or recovered and doesn’t end up in landfills and demonstrates progress to reducing waste accumulation. For example, a 100 percent landfill diversion rate would indicate that all given waste was able to be recycled or reused, thereby prevented from ending up in a landfill.
Residential and commercial solid waste collection in the City is currently provided by Napa Recycling and Waste Services (NRWS), and its contract with the City was extended in 2018 to go through the end of calendar year 2031. NRWS collects residential trash, recycling, and organic waste on a weekly basis, and collects from commercial accounts weekly or more frequently as needed. NRWS also offers curbside motor oil recycling; e-waste, scrap metal, textile, and cooking oil collection through the Recycle More program; and tire, and bulky item pickup. The City owns the Napa Recycling and Compost Facility, located at 820 Levitin Way, which NRWS operates under contract with the City. In collaboration with NRWS, the City of Napa Recycling and Solid Waste Division offers educational programs to teach residents and commercial enterprises about composting and waste reduction. The City adopted a construction and demolition debris recycling ordinance in 2010, which requires that 100 percent of identified materials be source -separated onsite and recycled , and an overall minimum of 50 percent of debris from construction and demolition projects be recycled. The City also adopted a Disposal Reduction Policy in 2012 which set a goal of achieving a 75 percent level of landfill diversion rate by the year 2020, in coordination with the statewide initiative of AB 341.13 In 2020, the City stood at a 68 percent landfill diversion rate.
Additionally, the State Legislature passed SB 1383 which seeks to recover edible food from being discarded into a landfill . The intention is to reduce gas emissions from the decomposing food while reducing waste and providing food to people in need. The SB 1383 regulations require that
13 Assembly Bill No. 341, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120AB341 Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
jurisdictions conduct education and outreach on organics recycling to all residents, businesses (including those that generate edible food that can be donated) , haulers, solid waste facilities, and local food banks and other food recovery organizations. SB 1383 requires a 20 percent improvement in edible food recover y and the City is working under an umbrella program approach with the County of Napa as the lead agency to accomplish this goal in upcoming years.
In 2016, about 96 percent of the City’s disposed solid waste went to Potrero Hills Landfill in Suisun City, with the small remaining tonnage going to the Clover Flat Resource Recovery Park in Calistoga, and several other landfills throughout the area.14 According to CalRecycle, the Potrero Hills Landfill has a remaining capacity of about 13.9 million cubic yards, and is expected to remain in operation until 2048. 15 The Clover Flat Resource Recovery Park has a remaining capacity of about 2.8 million cubic yards, and it is expected to remain in operation until 2047.16 As such, there is sufficient solid waste capacity to accommodate the community through 2040. In 2016, the most recent year that accurate data was available, the City disposed of about 3.8 pounds of waste per resident per day (PPD) into landfills, down from 6 PPD in 2007.17 Looking towards the future, the City is committed to promote efforts to reduce solid waste accumulation through recycling programs for new residential development and businesses, and promoting waste reduction strategies for existing residents and businesses.
Planned Improvements
• Bio-Energy: Also known as “biomass gasification,” this planned technology improvement would take urban wood waste and the woody fraction of yard trimmings and convert them to a synthetic gas that in turn can produce renewable energy. Under so-called “BioMat” legislation (SB 1122), up to 3 megawatts (MW) of bioenergy can be produced and sold back to the electrical grid at a floor price. The City is in the process of purchasing and ultimately developing a little over 3 acres of land to the south of the City’s current Materials Diversion Facility (MDF) from the Napa-Vallejo Waste Management Authority for the BioEnergy project. This is necessary as the current footprint of the City’s MDF does not have adequate space for the proposed 3 MW BioEnergy project. Beyond utilizing wood waste locally and providing a renewable energy source, the BioEnergy project would also produce a “biochar” product from the solid ash that has value and agricultural benefits as a slow “time-release” source of nitrogen or possibly serve as a water filtration product for wastewater or drinking water systems.
• Anaerobic Digestion (AD): For several years now, the City has explored the possibility of installing a “dry” Anaerobic Digestion (AD) system at the City’s MDF. A dry AD system would capture the biomethane gas from food scraps and yard trimmings, clean the gas
14 CalRecycle, Jurisdiction Disposal by Facility, 2019. 15 CalRecycle Solid Waste Information System, SWIS Facility Detail: Potrero Hills Landfill (48-AA-0075), 2019. 16 CalRecycle Solid Waste Information System, SWIS Facility Detail: Clover Flat Resource Recovery Park (28-AA-0002), 2019.
17 CalReycle Disposal Reporting System, Per Capita Disposal Rate Trends, 2019.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
and then convert it to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). As of 2020, 100% of the heavy refuse and recycling fleet runs on clean-air Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Once installed, the proposed AD system would produce sufficient RNG to replace all of the conventional CNG used by the fleet. Because the RNG is coming from organic compostable materials collected by the City’s composting collection program (primarily commercial routes), an AD system is state-of-the-art as far as sustainability actions that could be taken by the City of Napa. An AD system is an “air-tight” system to capture methane gas during the first 21-day period when organic waste emits bio-methane gas which has 20-40 times the impact of carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas (GHG). A dry AD system at the Napa MDF would represent a “best available control technology” to capture and produce RNG from a recurring source (food scraps and yard trimmings) where the energy value was never previously harnessed and/or sent for landfill disposal.
A dry AD system is also self-sustaining in that the power necessary to run the system is a symbiotic use of the biomethane gas captured and utilized by a combined heat and power engine attached to the system.
4.6 Parks, Recreation Facilities, and Trails
The General Plan provides an opportunity for the City to emphasize parks, recreation facilities, and the urban forest (expanded on in Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability) as essential elements of a healthy, livable city. Parks and recreation, once considered a bo nus to basic City infrastructure, are now valued as critical contributors to the City ’s environmental and human health. Policies and recommendations are focused on four key areas including quantitative and qualitative goals, access and equity, asset management, and system-wide funding.
As s hown in Figure 4 -4, the City has 67 parks, recreation facilities, and trail segments in the Planning Area. Additionally, public recreational facilities in Napa are provided by other public agencies, primarily the NVUSD and the Napa Valley College (NVC). Many private organizations and businesses also provide recreational facilities either as their business model such as private fitness centers, or through private agreements such as Homeowners Associations.
The Parks and Facilities Master Plan (PFMP), prepared in 2010, provides a road map for providing high quality facilities for residents and visitors to Napa. This plan includes a detailed examination of existing park sites and recreation facilities, providing the basis for an in -depth community discussion and analysis of the needs and priorities of park users. The PFMP was based on an implementation step of the previous 1998 General Plan. Similarly, the PFMP should be updated to be responsive to community needs and reflect the direction provided in this General Plan.
PARK CATEGORIES
For planning purposes, parks are classified by type based on the size, use, and physical characteristics of the land. The local park system consists of parks and facilities of varying sizes that meet a variety of environmental and public health needs. Parks in the Planning Area are listed in Table 4-4 and shown in Figure 4-4. The ten categories of parks are as follows:
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
Natural Areas & Open Spaces
Natural areas and open space are undeveloped spaces that serve the entire community and are utilized primarily for their natural resource value, and secondarily for recreational use. Natural areas and open space are also discussed in Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation. Natural areas and open space may include wetlands, wildlife habitats, steep hillsides, or stream corridors.
These parks may preserve or protect environmentally sensitive areas, such as unique or endangered plant specie s. By protecting natural habitat and scenic lands, these sites benefit residents of Napa and the region. These spaces can provide opportunities for nature -based recreation, such as trail use, bird watching and environmental education. The size and shape of each natural area will vary depending on the resource it protects.
The City provides 422.3 acres of natural areas and open space at seven sites. Additionally, residents have close access to a variety of large regional sites including Lake Hennessey/Moore Creek Park (790 acres) and Skyline Park (850 acres).
Community Parks & Facilities
Community parks are larger parks that provide both activ e and passive recreation opportunities that serve the entire community and often visitors from around the region and beyond. Typically, these sites are designed for active recreation, supported by facilities such as sport fields, outdoor courts, skate parks, and recreation centers. Distribution of these facilities around the City allows Parks and Recreation Services to provide these larger and specialized facilities closer to residents.
Community parks can accommodate larger numbers of people and offer a wi der variety of facilities than neighborhood parks, such as volleyball courts, tennis courts, group picnic areas, and shelters. These parks may also include significant natural areas and trails. For this reason, community parks require more support facilities, such as off-street parking and restrooms.
Community parks should generally be larger than 15 acres but may range in size from five to 50 acres. The target standard for provision of community parkland shall be 1.5 acres per 1,000 residents. The service area for community parks is a 1 .5 to 2-mile radius catchment, although community park facilities will attract and serve residents throughout the City. The City has seven community parks and facilities totaling 407.0 acres.
Neighborhood Parks
Located within walking and bicycling distance of most users, neighborhood parks provide close - to-home recreation opportunities for surrounding neighborhoods. These parks are designed primarily for non-supervised, non-organized recreation activities, supported by facilities such as playground equipment, outdoor courts, picnic tables, pathways and multi -use open grass areas or small sport fields. Neighborhood parks provide access to recreation for nearby residents, enhance neighborhood identity , and preserve open space. These parks are generally two to 10 acres in size (although some existing neighborhood park sites cover a smaller acreage) and serve residents within a quarter - to half -mile distance. The target standard for the provision of neighborhood parkland shall be 0.5 acres per 1,000 residents. Neighborhood park service may also be provided by community parks, or located on schools or other property where appropriate joint-use agreements exist. As a system, the neighborhood parks contribute to the entire Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
community’s quality of life and to the economic value of nearby properties. The City currently provides 70.3 acres of neighborhood parks at 22 sites.
Mini Parks
Mini parks are small parks that serve residents in immediately adjacent neighborhoods. Mini parks provide basic recreation amenities, such as playgrounds, benches and landscaping. Mini parks generally are up to two acres in size and have a limited service area due to the minimal facilities provided. The City currently provides 10 mini parks that comprise a total of 3.2 acres.
Due to the high cost of developing and maintaining very small parks, the City should not generally accept new mini parks of less than two acres into the park system unless they include specialized recreation facilities or unique resources. Additionally, the City shall review existing mini parks to determine if any of them are surplus and would be better served as a different use. Criteria to be considered in evaluating whether to retain mini parks are the unique characteristics of the park, the availability of recreation facilities in the vicinity, the quality of existing improvements in the park, and accessibility and degree of utilization.
Special Use Parks & Facilities
Special use parks and facilities are community-serving assets but are categorized separately as they are located outside of larger parks and designed to be stand -alone facilities. These can include single-purpose sites, such as ballfields, community centers, or boat ramps. Since special use areas vary widely in function, there is no average size, but special use areas must be large enough to accommodate the intended use. Support ing facilities such as parking and restrooms are often included. Special use areas and the facilities they contain typically serve the entire City.
Currently, the City has seven special use areas for a total of 24.4 acres.
Civic Spaces
Civic Spaces include small, landscaped spaces and gathering areas. Generally smaller than one acre in size and easily traversed on foot, civic spaces provide social space that is often supported by amenities such as benches, tables, landscaping, public art, water features , or other amenities for community events. These spaces are typically located within Downtown districts, high-density urban areas, and transit stations, but are community-wide assets. Civic Spaces can provide for the day-to-day open space needs of nearby residents and employees, as well as shoppers, transit users, and people attending community events. They help balance high-density development and communicate neighborhood character. The City currently provides nine Civic Spaces for a total of
4.3 acres.
Side Note Box/callout: Park highlight: Oxbow Commons
The Oxbow Commons opened in 2015 as part of the Napa Flood Control Project to address local flooding issues. Designed as a wet/dry bypass channel, the purpose of the Oxbow Commons is to be inundated with high flows of the Napa River during winter months, so as to reduce the Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
high river flows that normally backup while making their way through the oxbow bend and would otherwise cause flooding in Downtown Napa. In addition to reducing flooding, it was designed to be a multi-purpose public space with park and open spaces, an amphitheater, and connections to trails and the Napa River. Features include aesthetically attractive native landscaping, recreational trails, river access, a kayak launch, amphitheater and public space, and restored wetland/tidal marsh habitat. Overall, the Oxbow Commons contributes to the City’s sense of community and connection to Downtown Napa and the Oxbow District while providing much-needed wildlife habitat and flood protection.
Oxbow Commons provides open space to the
Oxbow District and connections to the Napa River.
In addition to recreation, Oxbow Commons
incorporates flooding control with habitat creation.
View of the Oxbow Commons amphitheater. Oxbow Commons provides trails and connects to regional trails, like the Napa Valley Vine Trail.
Trails
Trails are categorized as linear parks that serve the entire community and offer opportunities for people to hike, walk, run, ride, and connect with nature or other land uses. Trails help make the region more livable and provide communities with acc ess to increased health and fitness activities. Trails promote increased fitness activity using smaller amounts of land than large parks, and can serve as an alternate transportation option. Trails can be soft-surfaced or hard-surfaced.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Examples of soft surfaces include soil, crushed rock, and wood chips. Hardened surfaces include asphalt (permeable or impermeable), concrete, crushed rock or soil stabilized with resin products or cement, open or solid masonry, and boardwalks.
Currently, the City has four trail segments and various trail sections outside of parkland for a total of 24 acres. Additionally, Napa is further connected by local regional trails, as described in greater detail under “Trails and the Napa River”.
School Sites
The Joint Exercise of P owers Act, California Government Code Section 6500 et seq., authorizes public agencies to enter into agreements for the joint exercise of powers which are common to the contracting parties with the approval of their governing bodies. The City and the NVUSD have a long -standing agreement to organize, promote, and conduct joint access to recreational facilities at school sites. The agreement includes school facilities that are immediately adjacent to a shared City -owned park, as well as NVUSD-owned facilities that are separated from any City - owned property. Various school facilities, listed in Table 4 -4, are available to the public after school hours , or are utilized for recreation al programming. This includes 21 sites that total approximately 130.9 acres. This acreage was calculated on a percentage basis (50 percent) of the actual acreage of these sites , given that the public can only access these amenities outside of school hours.
Citywide Landscape Assessment Districts
In 1987, the City Council authorized the establishment of a Citywide Landscape Maintenance District (LAD) to provide a means for maintaining “back -on” landscaping improvements along arterial and major collector streets in new subdivisions and landscaping i n street medians. The cost of maintaining the landscaping and irrigation improvements is calculated separately for each zone and the cost is apportioned to the lots in each subdivision. Currently, the City has 16 LADs which are listed in Table 4 -4. The acr eage per LAD is not listed and counted in the overall park service ratio given that these landscaped areas are not generally trafficked by pedestrians. Due to the high cost of maintenance, additional LADs are not recommended unless they include specialized recreational facilities or unique resources.
Private Recreational Facilities
Private recreational facilities play a significant role in meeting recreational needs. The network of private recreational facilities consists of churches, health and fitness clu bs, and other organizations that offer a variety of programs and facilities. This element does not include an inventory of private recreational facilities, and as the City does not control, maintain, or program private recreational facilities, these resources are not credited toward the City’s acreage goals for public parks; however, these areas are important to note nonetheless, given their positive public health impact on the community.
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
Table 4-4: Existing Parks and Facilities in the Planning Area (2021)
Park Acreage
Natural Areas & Open Spaces 422.3
Alston Park 160.0
Westwood Hills 125.0
Timberhill Park 20.0
Trancas Crossing 35.0
Oxbow Commons 10.0
Oxbow Preserve 15.0
South Jefferson 57.3
Community Parks & Facilities 407.0
Kennedy Park1 362.4
Century Oaks Park 12.4
Fuller Park 10.6
Las Flores Park 3.1
Las Flores Community Center 5.0
Pelusi Center 5.0
O’Brien Park 8.5
Neighborhood Parks 70.3
Abruzzini Park 2.8
Buhman Park 3.5
Camille Park 4.9
Dry Creek Park 2.4
Esther Deaver Park 1.9
Fairview Park 2.2
Hidden Glen (undeveloped) 2.2
Kensington Park 1.5
Klamath Park 2.4
Lake Park 9.1
Lakeview Park 9.5
Laurel Park 2.3
Monarch Park 1.3
Shurtleff Park 5.0
Solomon Park 1.8
Springwood Park 2.4
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Table 4-4: Existing Parks and Facilities in the Planning Area (2021)
Park Acreage
Summerfield Park 1.3
Sunrise Park 2.1
Sutherland Park 2.9
Valley Park 2.0
Vinehill Park 4.2
Vineyard Park 2.6
Mini Parks 3.2
Beckworth Tot Lot 0.1
Evans Tot Lot 0.4
Harkness Park 0.6
Knolls (undeveloped) 0.8
Monroe (undeveloped) 0.1
Montclair Tot Lot 0.1
Norfolk Tot Lot 0.2
North Jefferson Park 0.6
Jefferson Park (undeveloped) 0.1
Sequoia Tot Lot 0.1
Tallac Tot Lot 0.1
Special Use Parks and Facilities 24.4
Kiwanis Park 1.7
Main Street Boat Dock 0.1
Riverside Park 2.0
Playground Fantástico 1.8
Napa Senior Center 3.2
Garfield Park 14
Downtown Skate Park & Playground 1.6
Civic Spaces 4.3
Brown Street Plaza 0.1
Coombs Street Plaza 0.4
China Point Park 0.6
Opera House Plaza 0.7
Dwight Murray Plaza 0.2
9/11 Memorial Garden 0.3
Napa Riverfront Green 0.8
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
Table 4-4: Existing Parks and Facilities in the Planning Area (2021)
Park Acreage
Heritage Park 0.3
Veterans Memorial Park 0.9
Trails2 24.0
Napa River Trail3 3.1
Vine Trail 12.2
San Francisco Bay Ridge Trail (within City Limits) 5.3
Harry T. Price Riverwalk 0.5
Other City-Wide Trails 2.9
School Sites4 130.9
Alta Heights Elementary 0.9
Bel-Aire Park Elementary 2.6
Browns Valley Elementary 5.0
Willow Elementary 3.2
McPherson Elementary 2.5
Northwood Elementary 2.7
Phillips Elementary 2.4
Pueblo Vista Elementary 2.5
Shearer Elementary 2.3
Snow Elementary 3.4
West Park Elementary 2.7
Napa Valley Language Academy Elementary 5.2
Silverado Middle School 13.8
Redwood Middle School 10.3
Harvest Middle School 9.0
River Middle School 2.2
Valley Oak High School 1.0
Napa High School 7.9
Vintage High School 10.5
Memorial Stadium 36.6
Napa Valley College 4.2
Landscape Assessment Districts7 N/A
Oak Ridge Subdivision -
Hillview Park Subdivision -
Sunrise Meadows Subdivision -
Foxridge Subdivision -
Trancas Street Median Landscaping -
Oxford Gardens Subdivision -
Glencar Estates Subdivision -
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Table 4-4: Existing Parks and Facilities in the Planning Area (2021)
Park Acreage
Dry Creek Village Subdivision -
Rancho Las Flores Subdivision -
Woodside Gardens Subdivision -
Hyde Park II Subdivision -
Walnut Grove Subdivision Unit 1 -
Vineyard Vista Estates Subdivision -
Orchard Estates Subdivision -
Chaudhary Estates Subdivision -
Mills Subdivision -
Overall Acreage5,6 1,086.4
Notes:
1. Kennedy Park includes Skate Park and Golf Course.
2. Trail acreage is calculated based on an average 8-foot-wide trail.
3. Acreage for Napa River Trail does not include section that overlaps with Vine Trail (starting at Coombsville Road and terminating at the southern end of Kennedy Park).
4. Acreage included for School Sites is 50 percent of actual acreage given that facilities are open to the public after school hours; and 20 percent of Napa Valley College is included given that a joint use agreement is to be developed.
5. Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
6. Additional parkland is anticipated to be built as part of future private development projects such as Napa Pipe. This parkland would contribute to the overall park service ratio.
7. Sources: City of Napa, 2021; City of Napa Parks and Facilities Master Plan, 2010; Dyett & Bhatia, 2021.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
The City of Napa’s Parks and Recreation Department offers classes, sports leagues, activities, and camps for residents of all ages and abilities within the Planning Area. The City owns a variety of recreational facilities, including a golf course, skate park, boat ramps, and ballfields. Additionally, the City of Napa has long -standing lease agreements with NVUSD to utilize school sites for community programming, as well as with local sports and youth organizations to manage programs at City facilities. A primary goal of the City’s joint use agreements with NVUSD is to avoid duplication of public agency efforts by efficiently using taxpayer resources toward common facilities that are typically accessible and located near residential areas. As such, many local recreational facilities—for example, pools or turf fields —are owned and maintained by NVUSD .
Some local bond measures, most recently in 2016 Measure H allocated $269 million bond for Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
school facility improvements, have gone toward improving recreational fa cilities at school sites.
Recreational facilities are shown in Figure 4-4.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Figure 4 -4
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
Indoor recreational facilities owned by the City of Napa are described in detail below:
• Pelusi Recreation Building . The 1,600 square foot facility is located within Kennedy Park and features a large meeting/event space, kitchenette, and restrooms. The building supports recreational programming and can be rented to groups for meetings, receptions, parties, or other activities. • Las Flores Community Center . The 8,000 square foot building is located on approximately five acres in north Napa and includes a 5,000 square foot gym and multi-purpose room as well as one classroom, a kitchen, office, and restrooms. A variety of p rograms are offered at the center, with childcare/preschool and volleyball being two of the more popular programs. Outdoor options include a botanical learning garden, walking paths, and tennis/pickleball courts. • The Senior Activity Center. The 7,300 square foot Senior Activity Center houses a variety of senior activities and provides meeting space for numerous Napa social and activity groups. The 1,600 square foot Senior Center Annex, adjacent to the Senior Activity Center, is used for recreational and sen ior programs. Two small houses and a bocce pavilion are also included on the site. The Senior Activity Center can be rented to private or non -profit groups for meeting and other activities.
Outdoor recreational facilities owned or managed by the City of N apa are described in detail below:
• Main Street Boat Dock. Located at the Riverfront on Main Street between Third and Fifth streets in Downtown, the Main Street Boat Dock is a floating concrete dock that is 176 feet long and 10 feet wide. The dock is operat ed under the authority of the City and the daily commercial activities are managed by a third - party pursuant to a contract with the City.
• Boat Docks and Launches. The City of Napa oversees five boat docks and launches including the Jim Hench Memorial Kayak Launch, the Kennedy Park Boat Launch, the Main Street Boat Dock, the Riverside Park Boat Launch, and the Trancas Crossing Boat Launch.
• Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park . Napa Golf Course is an 18 -hole, full-service championship daily fee golf course with practice facilities consisting of an 8,500 square foot putting green, chipping green, and 22 individual stall driving range outfitted with synthetic mats.
• Napa Skatepark at Kennedy Park . Napa Skatepark is 30,000 square feet and includes ramps, bowls, benches as well urban elements such as rails and stairs.
The park is open to bicycles and scooters in addition to skateboards, creating an inviting place for novice and advanced skaters.
FUTURE PARK AND FACILITY NEEDS
Napa residents have access to 1,086.4 acres of existing parks and joint use facilities within and just beyond the Planning Area , which include the following categories : Natural Areas & Open Space, Community Parks & Facilities, Neighborhood Parks, Mini Parks, Special Use Parks & Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Facilities, Civic Spaces, Trails , and School Sites. Typical City park provision standards range from three to five acres per 1,000 residents; however, as per guidelines provided by the Ameri can Planning Association and National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)18, this General Plan sets a park service ratio standard of 10 acres per 1,000 residents. Given a City population of approximately 80,000 people in 2020, the current overall parkland service ratio exceeds this standard with approximately 13.6 acres per 1,000 residents. Additionally, this General Plan sets a park service standard of 1.5 acres per 1,000 resi dents for Community Parks & Facilities and 0.5 acres per 1,000 for Neighborhood Parks . The City exceeds these standards with a park service ratio of 5.0 and 0.9, respectively. It is also important to note that this acreage analysis does not include parklands that are anticipated to be a part of the City’s park system, including the parks and trail connections at Napa Pipe or other future private development projects.
As identified in this General Plan, the buildout of the City could result in a population increase to approximately 97,200. Based on existing parks and joint use facilities, the future overall park service ratio under the buildout scenario would be 11.2 acres per 1,000 residents, which continues to exceed the goal of 10.0. Likewise, the City wo uld continue to exceed its Community Parks & Facilities service standard with a park service ratio of 4.2 and its Neighborhood Park service standard with a park service ratio 0.7. Even if School Sites were not to be included as part of the existing or future overall park service ratios, the City would still meet the General Plan overall park standards with 12 acres per 1,000 at the current population and 10 acres per 1,000 for the projected population at buildout. Given this analysis, existing residents are, and projected future residents will be, well-served by existing parks and joint use facilities.
Given that Napa meets its parkland needs, the City is positioned to focus capital improvements on sustaining or improving existing parks and facilities to ensure long -term services to the community. Moving forward, it is essential to develop and implement a comprehensive Asset Management and Maintenance Program with sufficient funding to maintain existing assets and manage limited resources. A systematic as sessment of priorities will help ensure that funds for capital, operations , and maintenance are adequate and targeted to address key needs. This assessment should be performed using Geographic Information Systems, or a similar mapping technology, and begin by developing and maintaining a thorough inventory of the condition of existing parks and facilities, including maintenance and replacement needs. The Asset Management and Maintenance Program should establish a maintenance standard and set criteria and investment priorities. As part of this evaluation, investment needs should be prioritized to ensure equitable access to parks and facilities improvements in socio-disadvantaged areas. The overall process should also establish adequate annual funding plans to implement the Asset Management and Maintenance Program.
PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CONNECTIONS
While the amount of parkland is an essential consideration in planning for parks and recreational facilities, the quality and accessibility of these spaces is equally important. A city should have parks that are distributed and designed to allow the facilities to serve as a focal point within residential
18 Moeller, John. “Standards for Outdoor Recreational Areas”. American Planning Association, Planning Advisory Service (PAS) Report 194. Published January 1965. Accessed via web July 2021. https://www.planning.org/pas/reports/report194.htm
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
neighborhoods, and are easily accessible for children, families , and seniors from their homes whether they choose to walk, ride, roll, or take transit.
While parks of all types and sizes are important to a healthy city, Community Parks & Facilities and Natural Areas & Open Space provide larger, specialized facilities closer to residents, and are intended to be recreational gathering spaces for many neighborhoods to use. For this reason, the General Plan establishes that all Napa residents should be within 1.5 to two miles of a Community Park & Facilities or Natural Area & Open Space. As shown in Figure 4-5, the City of Napa ensures that all residents are within this threshold. Further discussion of the positive public health benefits that come from having close access to parks is found in Chapter 9: Public Health and Equity.
Separately, led by research from The Trust for Public Land in partnership with NRPA and the Urban Land Institute, some communities are striving to reduce barriers and ensure that everyone in the U.S. has safe, convenient access to a park within a 10-minute walk of home by 205019. Walkshed analysis of park and natural area entry points, barriers, and sidewalks/paths reveal that most of Napa is within a 10-minute walking distance of a park, as shown in Figure 4-6. The update to the PFMP should address any improvements to access or entry points to help meet this aspirational goal by 2050.
The PFMP also identifies and prioritizes improvements to address barriers that were identified in the 2008 City of Na pa Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self Evaluation and Transition Plan.
While some parks or natural areas are not prioritized as part of the ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan, walkshed analysis in Figure 4 -6 reveals that some neighborhoods adja cent to these resources do not have the same level of access as others due to lack of entry points, private property barriers, and other obstacles. An updated transition plan should be included in the update to the PFMP to improve access and walkability for nearby residents.
Park accessibility is not just a question of physical connections; design, programming, maintenance, wayfinding, signage, and citizen involvement all play a role in encouraging park use.
Programming a variety of activities and special events in addition to providing sports facilities and playgrounds brings people into parks throughout the day and evening. Having clear wayfinding and signage that directs people to these facilities and trails can help make them easier to find and enjoy, as can integrating par ks with surrounding development and transit facilities. Finally , prioritizing ongoing maintenance will help ensure that the City’s parks and recreational facilities are vibrant neighborhood focal points.
19 National Recreation and Park Association, et. al. Online. https://10minutewalk.org/. Accessed September 2021.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Figure 4 -5
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
Figure 4 -6
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
TRAILS AND THE NAPA RIVER
A well-connected trails network is a critical component of a livable community as it promotes active recreation and a healthy lifestyle for Napa residents and can also be a point of attraction for visitors. Several pedestrian trails are located within existing parks, including Alston, Kennedy, Trancas Crossing, Oxbow Preserve, Timberhill, Lake View, and Westwood Hills parks. County - owned Skyline Wilderness Park also has an extensive system of walking trails. There are a number of trails that run throughout the City, which are illustrated in Figure 4-7 and described below.
In cooperation with the National Park Service and several other agencies, the City continues to develop the Napa River Trail, a linear trail corridor along the length of the Nap a River. Other important trail resources are the River to Ridge Trail and the San Francisco Bay Trail connection that passes through the City. As part of the San Francisco Bay Trail project, the City completed a planning effort to extend the Stanly Lane Tr ail to the Napa River in 2018. There are a number of other plans and agencies that coordinate trails throughout Napa and the surrounding region, including Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the Napa Valley Vine Trail, the Napa Downtown Riverfront Urban Design Plan, and the Napa River Trail Plan prepared by the National Park Service.
Trails provide the opportunity for residents and visitors to Napa to explore Napa’s resources. This section calls for a trail system to integrate the City’s green spaces (e.g., parks, school playgrounds, ball fields, marinas, riparian corridors, landscaped corporate parks, tree -lined parkways and avenues, hospital and other institutional grounds, and public and pri vate commons and open spaces) into a nonvehicular commuter and recreation system. It is intended to provide users with the enjoyment of the natural surroundings as much as possible within an urban setting.
The Bay Trail
A regional hiking and bicycling trai l around the perimeter of San Francisco and San Pablo bays is being planned by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) as part of a State -sponsored program. When completed, the Bay Trail is envisioned to connect more than 90 parks and publicly-accessible open space areas. There are a few sections of the Bay Trail Route that have been started in Napa, including a paved off -street trail in the Stanly Ranch area that connects to Cuttings Wharf and ultimately Sonoma and the rest of the Bay Trail. The tra il then moves north along Golden Gate Drive to connect with Imola Avenue. The Imola Corridor Complete Street Improvement Plan, which was completed by the Napa Valley Transportation Authority and adopted in 2020, seeks to improve walking and bicycling conne ctions from the Bay Trail to the Ridge Trail and Napa Valley Vine Trail.
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
Figure 4 -7
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
River to Ridge Trail
The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, a nonprofit organization encompassing representatives from public and private organizations , has sponsored planning for a 400 -mile Ridge Trail that would traverse the ridgelines of the hills and mountains surrounding the San Francisco Bay. With planning beginning in 1988, the Ridge Trail is intended to follow existing trails where possible and connect them by using public lands or public access easements. In the North Bay, the Ridge Trail is planned to run from Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Sonoma through Napa County and the City of Napa, then through Skyline Park to Solano County. The exact alignment through Napa County has tentatively been determined to be a loop trail on both the east and west ridges of the Valley. The segment in Napa is named the River to Ridge Trail, as it connects from the Napa River up to Skyline Wilderness Park.
Napa River Trail
The Napa River Trail is envisioned to reinforce the river as a central feature of Napa, and permit greater access to this resource. The Napa River Trail Plan, prepared by the National Park Service in cooperation with the City of Napa and several other agencies, calls for development of a linear trail corridor along the length of the Napa River. The corridor would incorporate the trail, natural areas, and various recreational facilities including fishing piers and boat launches. The trail is envisioned as a public, multi -use path from Trancas Crossing Park to Kennedy Park , with connections to other trails and parklands. While the trail is currently mostly connected, there is a gap between Lincoln Avenue and McKinstry Street; if this area is redeveloped , there is an opportunity to connect the trail. Alternatively, wayfinding signage, trail markers, and bicycle facilities could be included along Jordan Lane to help with the connection. Either option would likely result in a need for a signalized pedestria n crossing at Lincoln Avenue to provide safe crossing for trail users.
Napa Valley Vine Trail
The Napa Valley Vine Trail is envisioned to be a 47-mile walking and biking trail system connecting the entire Napa Valley from the Vallejo Ferry terminal up to Calistoga. As of 2021, 12.5 continuous miles have been completed between south Napa to Yountville. In Napa, the trail runs along the Napa River between Kennedy Park and the Riverfront Green Park at Third Street and Soscol Avenue. The northern segment of the trail largely follows the railway corridor and Solano Avenue as it continues to Yountville.
PARKS AND RECREATION FUNDING
The parks system will continue to face growing needs and limited re sources. In order to sustain existing park infrastructure and improve recreation opportunities in the community, the City must be aware of the ongoing cost of each acre of parkland , as well as the service cost of delivering programs and events.
Currently, the operating budget for parks and facilities in Napa is funded exclusively by the General Fund. The budget includes maintenance and operational costs for the entire system.
Capital projects are primarily funded by a combination of General Fund contributions and park Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
impact fees collected from property development. The City’s existing impact fee ordinance separates the City into four quadrants , and f ees are collected into four corresponding funds.
Impact fees collected from within one quadrant can be used f or projects within that quadrant— e.g., funding the expansion of park resources within a local area —or, at the City Council’s direction, for projects that benefit the entire City. The funds are further broken down into acquisition and development funds.
The community’s needs have substantially changed since adopting the current funding policies in the 1970s. In order to maximize the flexibility of funding and serve the community equitably, the City should update the City’s park development and park land ded ication impact fee ordinances to reflect the City’s new policy direction of prioritizing park improvements over creating new parks, and consolidate the existing segregated impact fee funds into one multi -purpose fund which focuses resources on community -serving improvements within existing parkland.
Additionally, the City should consider impact fees for commercial and industrial development as part of the fee update.
Separately, although parks and recreation services are not funded on a revenue recovery bas is, some level of cost recovery is essential to fiscal health and the sustainability of the department's facilities, services, and accessibility. A subsidy and financial sustainability model should include an approved cost recovery/subsidy-level policy, methods for evaluating the cost of services including identification of direct and indirect costs, and subsidy targets for each defined service category.
Program pricing and an evaluation of services should be reviewed annually to ensure optimization of revenue, sound financial investments, and equitable access to services in accordance with the existing subsidy and financial sustainability strategies.
The role of parks and recreation services is expanding as issues regarding public health, environmental change, economic development, and equity become increasingly relevant. Cities can no longer consider parks, open spaces, urban forests, and recreation centers as supplemental amenities. Rather, they are essential factors of community-building that require careful planning and integration into long-term strategic efforts toward developing livable cities.
4.7 Arts and Culture
Napa Valley is world-renowned as a culinary, art, wine, and viticulture destination ; this status is engrained in the culture of the City. Generations of farmers, vineyard laborers, winemakers, and food and wine enthusiasts all promote a sense of community identity and reflect the City’s heritage. Major annual community events, like the Napa Lighted Art Festival, BottleRock, and Porchfest, contribute to Napa’s art and culture legacy. Napa’s history is built on the winemaking, art, and culinary passions of all races and demographics. These groups continue to foster the diverse culture of Napa and its community insti tutions. Additional information about Napa’s architectural history is included in Chapter 5: Historic & Cultural Resources, and placemaking and branding are addressed in Chapter 10: Economic Development.
The City supports the preservation and promotion of the arts and desires to strengthen the role of arts and culture in Napa, since art has a significant impact on shaping and defining a sense of Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
space and identity for the community. The following section describes the key areas through which the City seeks to foster and enhance arts and culture within Napa.
ARTS, CULTURE, AND EVENT FACILITIES
The City recognizes the importance of providing spaces and facilities for arts , cultural activities, and events for the community. The ability of arts organizations and artists to thrive is often dependent on having suitable production, performance, and exhibition space. There are a variety of government-funded facilities available to the community , including the NVC Performing Art Center and the NVUSD theaters for musical and performance arts. Within the City’s park system, there are existing amenities such as outdoor amphitheaters and performance spaces to support outdoor performances, concert series, and events, including Veterans Park, Oxbow Commons, and Dwight Murray Plaza. There are also a handful of private and non -profit indoor and outdoor venues that augment the arts & cultural facilities within the City. These facilities include the Jarvis Conservatory, Napa Opera House, Uptown Theater, Lucky Penny Theater, Copia Amphitheater, and many other businesses that support live music and other cultural arts activities. There is also an array of private and non-profit venues that provide gallery space and instructional art space to both amateur and professional visual and culinary artists.
The City will continue to explore additional spaces and facilities, such as maker spaces, that allow for the production of art within the community. In addition, the City will evaluat e and support enhancing park amenities that support the arts and cultural programs.
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
A variety of cultural arts programs and related activities for both youth and adults are offered at K-12 school sites, City-operated facilities (e.g. Las Flores & Senior Center), NVC, Napa County Library, and at private businesses and local non -profits. The City partners with the Arts Council Napa Valley, who supports and advocates for increased public access to the arts by encouraging programming for underserved audiences; working to remove financial, accessibility and cultural barriers for public participation in the arts ; and increasing arts education availability. The City recognizes that providing access to programs and services is essential to fostering participation within the arts, opportunities for life -long learning, and employment opportunities for local professional artists.
Napa hosts both large-scale events with national audiences and smaller community events which celebrate and promote the arts. Notable events include music festivals such as BottleRock, Porchfest and Festival Napa Valley; the Napa Valley Film Festival; Arts in April; Open Studios; and Napa Lighted Art Festival. Many of these events support local artists, and position Napa as an arts and culture destination.
The City supports community cohesion by offering or permitting a wide range of intergenerational and multi-cultural artistic and cultural events , as well as programs designed to engage, educate and entertain the City’s diverse population.
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
ART DISTRICTS/CULTURAL DISTRICTS
The Rail Arts District (RAD) is a nonprofit art district located on adjacent private properties that was founded in 2016, and is supported by the City. The RAD starts at Napa’s Oxbow District and continues north for approximately two miles along the Napa Valley Vine Trail bike and pedestrian path and the Napa Valley Wine Train tracks. While it currently predominately consists of murals, the vision for the RAD includes additional sculptures, landscaping, and pocket parks to help transform this semi-industrial area and associated urban neighborhoods into an outdoor art museum, ultimately creating a new cultural corridor within the heart of the City.
With the success of the RAD, the City continues to consider creating other art districts or cultural districts within the community.
PUBLIC ART
Public art can serve as a key component of place-making, playing a significant role in defining the character of a community while contributing to the aesthetic quality of public places. These distinct visual elements—whether permanent or temporary, kinetic or stationary, stand-alone or integrated into the architecture and landscaping —can define a destination and gathering place, and can aid in wayfinding by serving as a point of reference and landmark, welcoming and orienting residents and visitors to Napa . Public art can reinforce primary gateways, streets, bikeways, traffic islands, medians, and neighborhood centers. It can strengthen critical linkages (e.g., through decorated crosswalks or sculptural bridges), and enliven the pedestrian experience.
The City’s public art program originated in the 1970s, when the Napa Community Redevelopment Agency commissioned five sculptures that were placed in the Downtown to enhance its image and encourage people to walk and shop in the area. Additional projects over th e years included several murals installed on buildings primarily in Downtown Napa. Most of these murals were funded and installed by community organizations such as the Napa Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, private businesses and property owners began in stalling public art on their own properties as part of the Public Art Ordinance. Recent City-funded projects and programs include the downtown Art Benches, the Corporation Yard Fence mural, “Begin & Continue,” and the Napa Art Walk Program which was initiated in 2010. The City continues to advance the placement of permanent public art throughout the community through a variety of programs, with the intention of fostering a more livable and visually stimulating environment.
In 2011, the City adopted a Public Art Ordinance (Chapter 15.108 Public Art in the Napa Municipal Code) to encourage public art onsite at private developments, or require the developers to pay an in-lieu fee into the Public Art Fund that supports publicly-funded projects on City property. The City created its first Public Art Master Plan in 2014: The plan outlines the vision, goals, and core values of the City’s public art program. The plan also provides administrative guidelines for determining how public art is selected and where it is placed.
Public art for streetscape and neighborhood improvements can take many forms, including:
• Gateways/Major Intersections Artwork. Gateway artwork is significant, large -scale permanent artwork serving to define landmarks at major gateways into Napa, at civic centers, and on major boulevards and intersections. Such gateways include the Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
intersection of Soscol and Imola avenues, along SR 29, and the roundabouts at First Street and California Boulevard.
• Public Buildings & Facilities Artwork. These artworks can be integrated within building architecture, installed in prominent locations at a site, or placed in locations that are accessible to the public. Given that public facilities experience a high volume of public interaction and exposure , they present an opportunity for the community to enjoy artwork, benefit from visual enhancements, and showcase the City’s values of supporting the arts. A few examples of this type of public art include the Senior Center art sculpture, “Northern Sojourner,” which was installed after the facility ’s renovation, and the use of interior spaces at City Hall or the Senior Center for rotating community galleries. • Parks & Plazas. Public art can serve as a focal point of a park or plaza by creating a unique attraction that encourages community members to visit a public space. This artwork can also instill a sense of community pride. Artwork should be considered during park development or significant improvement and integrated through the planning and design process. Playground Fantástico’s uniquely designed play structure, mosaics, and the whimsical sculpture by a local Napa artist at this site are examples of this type of public art.
• Pedestrian Paths and Bikeways. Pedestrian path and bikeway public art —often located as a gateway to significant pathways or placed along the City major paved trails—provide wayfinding, engaging aesthetics, added attraction , and/or utility and function along a pathway (e.g., custom bike racks or artist benches). An example of this artwork is the Corporation Yard Fence mural, “Begin & Continue,” along the Napa Vine Trail. • Bridges & Roadways . These types of art are permanent pieces located in vehicular intersections or along medians, roadways or bridges. They serve to connect key locations or guide passage to pivotal destinations or neighborhoods within Napa. An example of this type of artwork is the intersection of First Street and Soscol Avenue with the China Point Moon Gate.
• Temporary Art. Temporary art installations are non -permanent artwork in a range of media and scales that are displayed for a limited amount of time. The artwork serves to enliven and refresh t he pedestrian experience, enhance tourism , and pique public awareness of the built and natural environments. Priority placement is in high -traffic pedestrian areas where first -time and repeat visitors can delight in a changing environment. The Napa Art Wal k and the Utility Boxes Art Wrap Program are examples of temporary art.
Funding for the Arts and Culture
The City has a variety of funding mechanisms and methods to help promote art and cultural activity. These funds are integral in supporting the arts as well as enhancing Napa’s character and sense of place. Finding additional funding opportunities and pursuing private/public partnerships is critical for continuing to incorporate art and culture throughout the City. Thinking towards the future, the City should incorporate consideration for sustainability—funding the maintenance and Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
repair of artworks—in addition to public art expansion , balancing the long-term care of current artworks with new public art proposals.
The following are ways that the City funds and supports public art:
• The City’s Public Art Fund supports the development of permanent public art on public property. It is funded through the Public Art Ordinance in the Napa Municipal Code which stipulates that a developer can contribute to the public art program by either installing on-site public art equal in value to one percent of the construction costs, or by making an in-lieu contribution to the Public Art Fund.
• Private-Public Partnerships can bring additional art and artistic experiences through special events and beautification projects. These events or installations help support the local economy and businesses while contri buting to Napa’s art s and culture scene.
Examples include the Napa Lighted Art Festival using revenue from the Tourism Improvement District and partnering with private businesses for the installations, or the Utility Box Art Wrap program partnering using revenue from the Property & Business Improvement District and partnering with the Napa Downtown Association. • Grants, either through private or public foundations, can help support public art initiatives through project -based funding. Two examples of public grants include the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
4.8 Goals and Policies
Goals and policies that seek to enhance the community’s quality of life and public services are outlined below and organized into the follo wing topics. Appendix A contains “implementing programs” intended to implement the goals and policies in this section.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
GOAL CSPR-1: Maintain safety services that are responsive to community needs and provide a safe and secure environment for people and property in the City.
CSPR 1-1 Provide responsive, efficient, and effective police and fire services that promote a high level of public safety.
CSPR 1-2 Provide fire prevention and emergency response services that minimize fire risks and protect life and property, including fire prevention, fire -related law enforcement, and public education and information programs.
CSPR 1-3 Locate and maintain police and fire equipment, facilities, and staffing at locations and levels that facilitate effective service delivery.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
CSPR 1-4 Require that new development contribute s funds to offset the proportionate impact of development on the provision of City facilities needed to provide adequate police and fire services.
CSPR 1-5 Continue to incorporate input from the police and fire departments in the development review process to include requirements for development projects to be designed and operated in a manner that minimizes the potential for cr iminal activity and fire hazards , and maximizes the potential for responsive police and fire services.
CSPR 1-6 Employ community -based policing strategies in partnership with community groups, and utilize non-sworn personnel (such as Community Service Officers) for non-emergency or non-life-threatening calls.
CSPR 1-7 Explore options for volunteer programs and initiatives that continue to strengthen community policing.
CSPR 1-8 Continue to provide community programs, volunteer opportunities, and fire safety education to residents of appropriate age.
CSPR 1-9 Periodically review and update the Fire Department Strategic Plan as conditions warrant.
CSPR 1-10 Increase transparency in the Police Department by supporting creation of a Strategic Plan to inform citizens about responsible law enforcement.
CSPR 1-11 Establish suitable response times for the Police and Fire departments as part of the strategic planning process for each department.
GOAL CSPR-2: Reduce and prevent crime through the use of community-oriented education and involvement programs, including techniques developed through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
CSPR 2-1 Apply CPTED principles in the design of new development in order to enhance public safety and reduce calls for service . Encourage the provision of adequate public lighting, windows overlooking streets or parking lots, and paths to increase pedestrian activity within private development projects and public facilities.
GOAL CSPR-3: Improve disaster preparedness for wildfires, including plans for evacuation routes, meeting spots, wildfire mitigation strategies, and coordination with the CAL FIRE and Fire Protection and Napa County Fire Department.
CSPR 3-1 Maintain mutual aid agreements and communication links with the CAL FIRE , Napa County Fire Department, and other surrounding jurisdictions that allow for supplemental aid from other police, fire, and public works personnel in the event of emergencies.
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
CSPR 3-2 Protect key City facilities as part of emergency preparedness, including dri nking water sources and infrastructure, and maintain solid waste services and emergency debris management during emergencies.
CSPR 3-3 Support efforts to provide enhanced alerts and communications to vulnerable and underserved communities during fire and evacuation events.
The City’s Emergency Operations Plan provides greater detail on emergency management.
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
For goals and policies related to walking and biking to schools, see Chapter 3: Transportation Element.
GOAL CSPR-4: Support schools and education -related facilities as contributors to neighborhood quality of life.
CSPR 4-1 Plan for the siting of community centers, arts/cultural facilities, senior centers, and other public facilities and programs in a manner that facilitates convenient and equitable access throughout the City.
CSPR 4-2 Work cooperatively with the Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) to cohesively plan for future school facility needs and for the reuse of school sites that may no longer be needed.
Based on planned future population, school needs are projected to be 11,920 Kindergarten through grade 12 students for schools within the Planning Area, or an increase of about 1.4 percent from enrollment for the current 2020-2021 school year. While projections for middle and high school levels are projecte d to moderately decrease by about 160 and 330 students respectively, elementary schools would need to ensure that facilities can adequately meet demand for approximately 650 additional students.
CSPR 4-3 Consider public/private partnership opportunities for school development, including preschools and higher education.
CSPR 4-4 Promote opportunities for higher learning and education to enhance community development and workforce diversification.
CSPR 4-5 Where appropriate, co -locate City facilities with other public facilities ( e.g., schools, libraries, post offices, hospitals/clinics) so that multiple services may be delivered from a single location.
CSPR 4-6 Partner with public , and private, and non -profit entities to provide educational community services that support families and meet the diverse needs of community members of all ages, backgrounds, and interests.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
CSPR 4-7 Support efforts for high -quality and affordable preschool and childcare facilities and programs in order to reduce the equity divide in education.
UTILITIES
GOAL CSPR-5: Provide for utilities and infrastructure that deliver safe and reliable services for current and future residents and businesses.
CSPR 5-1 Safely manage the water supply and services, wastewater, sewer, recycled water, and storm drain infrastructure in a manner that provides for future growth of the City.
CSPR 5-2 Work with power and dry utility providers , property owners, and developers to underground service lines in existing neighborhoods, and require undergrounding service lines for new projects where feasible.
CSPR 5-3 Develop and maintain a safe, attractive , and environmentally-sensitive drainage system for handling runoff due to seasonal rainstorms, especially runoff in creeks and the Napa River.
CSPR 5-4 Invest in the replacement and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure.
CSPR 5-5 Protect existing water supplies by protecting watersheds in cooperation with Napa County and other stakeholders.
CSPR 5-6 Explore alternative water supplies to meet future demand.
CSPR 5-7 Implement new technologies, such as Advanced Meter Infrastructure, that improve efficiency and contribute to water conservation efforts.
CSPR 5-8 Implement measure s to mitigate and guard public utility infrastructure against threats including cyberthreats, terrorism and natural disasters.
GOAL CSPR-6: Improve programs to conserve water, especially during drought.
CSPR 6-1 Promote sustainability measures for businesses and residents to reduce water consumption. Encourage water recycling, reduced water runoff, and low -impact development strategies.
CSPR 6-2 Promote education for residents and businesses on the benefits of conserving water and explore incentives for lowering water usage.
CSPR 6-3 Purchase dry year water as made available from the State Water Project (SWP) to preserve local supplies for critical dry years and multi-year droughts.
The City has contractual rights to water supply from the SWP system, as a subcontractor to the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (NCFWCD). In years when local drought conditions exist, the City’s contract Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
includes the potential to purchase available dry year water from other water providers.
CSPR 6-4 Through a partnership with the Napa Sanitation District ( NapaSan), promote utilization of recycled water for non-potable water needs.
CSPR 6-5 Reduce demands on the NapaSan wastewater system through efficient water use strategies, including:
• Requiring water-conserving design and equipment in new construction • Encouraging retrofitting with water-conserving devices • Requiring Low Impact Development principles and guidelines during site design
CSPR 6-6 Adhere to Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668 “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life” which create a community water budget composed of efficient indoor residential use, outdoor residential use, outdoor landscape irrigation, and system water losses.
SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING
Additional policies related to solid waste, recycling, and waste reduction are in Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability.
GOAL CSPR-7: Provide for solid waste and recycling services to meet the needs of current and future residents and businesses.
CSPR 7-1 Safely manage solid waste management services in a manner that provides for future growth of the City.
CSPR 7-2 Promote the safe disposal of household hazardous waste through public education.
GOAL CSPR-8: Improve programs to reduce waste accumulation in landfills.
CSPR 8-1 Promote sustainability measures for businesses and reside nts to reduce waste, such as municipal composting, recycling, and expanded education on the benefits of the green waste recycling program.
CSPR 8-2 Promote education for residents and businesses on the benefits of reducing waste, such as citywide curbside composting.
CSPR 8-3 Encourage businesses to switch from single -use plastic to compostable or other sustainable packaging alternatives.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
CSPR 8-4 Promote safe, attractive, and environmentally -sensitive new technologies that help further sustainable practices.
CSPR 8-5 Implement all aspects o f SB 1383 (Mandatory Organics) including collection and capture of compostable and recyclable materials from residential, commercial and industrial generators within the City. SB 1383 is broad -reaching in scope with requirements for auditing, enforcement, edible food recovery and local use of organic products like compost and mulch.
CSPR 8-6 Incorporate BioEnergy and dry Anerobic Digestion technology at City’s Materials Diversion Facility. Use of these of technologies would capture and create renewable and sustainable energy from compostable organic materials. It would also provide a significant local contribution towards progress on climate action.
CSPR 8-7 Strive Support programs to reach the statewide goal of ensuring that 75 percent of solid waste generated is either reduced at source, recycled, or composted from the year 2020 forward, per AB 341, SB 1383, and the City’s own Disposal Reduction Policy (R2012-100).
PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES
Park Standards
GOAL CSPR-9: Provide, improve, and maintain a comprehensive system of City parks, trails, and recreational facilities to meet the needs of the City’s current and future residents, businesses, property owners and visitors.
CSPR 9-1 Maintain a parkland provision standard of 10.0 acres of overall parkland per 1,000 residents, 1.5 acres of Community Parks & Facilities per 1,000 residents , and 0.5 acres of Neighborhood Parks per 1,000 residents. Overall parkland includes Natural Areas & Open Space, Community Parks & Facilities, Neighborhood Parks, Mini Parks, Special Use Parks & Facilities, Civic Spaces, Trails, and School Sites.
CSPR 9-2 Strive toSupport programs to ensure that all residents are within a 1.5 to two-mile radius of a community-serving park, which includes the Community Park & Facility or Natural Area & Open Space categories.
This replaces the quadrant method utilized in the previous General Plan.
CSPR 9-3 Given that the City has sufficient parkland to meet the needs of the City’s existing and project ed population, focus capital projects on sustaining or improving existing parks and facilities to ensure long-term services to the community.
CSPR 9-4 Pursue public/private partnerships for privately -owned public spaces to include requirements for maintenance obligations.
CSPR 9-5 Offer a wide variety of park facilities designed to provide educational benefits, and encourage active and passive participation by users of all ag es and interests to Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
existing and future residents, including but not limited to: senior services, health and wellness, and youth sports.
CSPR 9-6 Maintain a diverse range of publicly-available recreation and leisure programs and community centers which serve the ne eds of all sectors of Napa's population, including youth, adult, senior, and family-oriented activities.
CSPR 9-7 Provide Natural Areas & Open Spaces that are utilized primarily for their natural resource value, and secondarily for passive recreational use such as hiking and picnicking. Natural Areas & Open Spaces may include wetlands, wildlife habitats, steep hillsides, or stream corridors. The size and shape of each natural area will vary depending on the resource it protects.
CSPR 9-8 Provide Community Parks & Facilities that provide both active and passive recreation opportunities such as hiking, sport fields, outdoor courts, group picnic shelters, skate parks , or recreation centers as well as educat ional opportunities.
Community parks shall generally be larger than 15 acres but may range from five to 50 acres in extent. The service area for community parks is a 1 .5 to two-mile radius catchment, although community park facilities will attract and serve residents throughout the City.
CSPR 9-9 Provide Neighborhood Parks that offer close-to-home recreation opportunities to surrounding neighborhoods and are designed primarily for non -supervised, non- organized recreation activities, supported by facilities such as playground equipment, outdoor courts, picnic tables, pathways , and multi -use open grass areas or small sport fields. These parks are generally two to 10 acres in size, though some existing neighborhood park sites cover a smaller acreage , and serve residents within a quarter- to half-mile distance. The target standard for provision of neighborhood parkland shall be 0.5 acres per 1,000 residents. Neighborhood park service may also be provided by community parks , or located on schools or other property where appropriate joint-use agreements exist.
CSPR 9-10 Provide Mini Parks that serve residents in immediately adjacent neighborh oods.
Mini parks provide basic recreation amenities, such as playgrounds, benches, and landscaping. Mini parks generally are 0.5 to two acres in size and have a limited - service area due to the minimal facilities provided.
CSPR 9-11 Provide Special Use Parks & Facilities that are community-serving, single-purpose sites, such as ballfields, community centers, or boat ramps. Since special use areas vary widely in function, there is no average size, but special use areas must be large enough to accommodate the intended use. Special Use Parks & Facilities are categorized separately as they are located outside of larger parks and designed to be stand-alone facilities.
CSPR 9-12 Provide Civic Spaces that function as small, landscaped spaces and gathering areas located within higher-density urban areas and include amenities such as benches, tables, landscaping, public art, water features , or other amenities to support Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
community events . Civic Spaces are typically smaller than one acre in size and easily traversed on foot.
CSPR 9-13 Provide Trails and trail connections that serve the entire community and offer opportunities for people to hike, walk, run or ride, and connect with nature or other land uses. Trails can be soft -surfaced, such as crushed rock or wood chips, or hard-surfaced, such as asphalt, concrete, crushed rock, or soil.
Future Park and Facility Needs
GOAL CSPR-10: Continue the development of integrated open space and flooding solutions that also result in new recreational open space for the community, building on the momentum and success of Oxbow Commons.
CSPR 10-1 When feasible, seek opportunities to integrate parks and public open space into major infrastructure projects.
GOAL CSPR-11: Design and improve park s and recreation al facilities to reflect the community’s changing demographics and user needs.
CSPR 11-1 Update the Napa Parks and Facilities Master Plan (PFMP) to reflect current and future needs, including maintenance management planning and capital improvement planning, and General Plan parkland provision and access standards.
CSPR 11-2 Continue to partner with NVUSD, and consider partnerships with other agencies such as Napa Valley College ( NVC) or the County to expand public use of school facilities (such as sports fields, pools, and community meeting facilities) , and explore funding mechanisms for use.
CSPR 11-3 Develop an asset management plan that prioritizes improvements to existing parks, and access to existing parks from residential neighborhoods , while maintaining prescribed park acreage per capita standards.
CSPR 11-4 Focus infrastructure improvements or access improvement projects in existing parks and facilities to meet the diversified and long-term needs of residents of all ages.
CSPR 11-5 Reflect changing demographics and community needs and desires as part of parks and faci lities improvements and programming by including diverse community participants in parks and recreation planning efforts.
Connections to Parks and Recreation Facilities
GOAL CSPR-12: Prioritize widely accessible parks and recreational facilities.
CSPR 12-1 Identify and develop linkages, corridors, and other connections to provide an aesthetically pleasing and functional network of parks, open space areas, and bike Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
paths throughout the City with connections to surrounding County and State parks.
CSPR 12-2 Prioritize adequate public transp ortation to key parks, recreation facilities, and community centers throughout the City, especially in vulnerable or under-served communities.
CSPR 12-3 Seek opportunities to pPartner with public and private entities to improve multi- modal transportation systems and pathways in neighborhoods with barriers or safety issues.
Trails and the Napa River
GOAL CSPR-13: Support trail connections to natural areas and the Napa River in order to improve community health, support a high quality of life, and an active lifestyle.
CSPR 13-1 Complete the multi-use trail and amenities along the Napa River as the signature element of the City’s trail system, particularly the Flood Control Project, while protecting and enhancing the natural resources along the trail corridor.
CSPR 13-2 Utilize greenways and trails as new development takes place along the river to connect the City’s open space network and fill in gaps in the existing network.
CSPR 13-3 Identify trail connection opportunities and improvements for vulnerable or under- served communities
CSPR 13-4 Include a mixture of activities, including active and passive recreation, open space, and supportive businesses and facilities, that face along the Napa River and along the Napa River Trail to improve the trail’s accessibility and increase amenities for trail users.
CSPR 13-5 Promote the Napa Valley Vine Trail as a regional attraction for locals and visitors and provide facilities to make use and enjoyment convenient and easy.
CSPR 13-6 Incorporate convenient access to trails, including the Napa Valley Vine Trail, as new development and redevelopment occurs.
CSPR 13-7 Require visual and public access when developments occur along the Napa River, especially in the Oxbow area.
CSPR 13-8 Partner with other jurisdictions or establish public/private partnerships to implement wayfinding, signage, and educa tional placards along the Napa River and pedestrian trails.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Parks and Recreation Funding
GOAL CSPR-14: Seek funding and distribution mechanisms to support the City’s existing and future parks and recreational needs.
CSPR 14-1 Support the development or enhancement of the Napa Parks and Recreation Foundation to help promote and fund park s and recreation improvements, awareness, and volunteers.
CSPR 14-2 Develop an as set management program and funding plan that maintains and improves upon existing parkland and facilities , and that is periodically revised to reflect improvements, funding availability, and changing recreational needs.
CSPR 14-3 Identify cost recovery targets for parks and recreational facilities , services, and maintenance needs to ensure the long-term sustainability of recreational programming and park operations; adjust these targets as needed.
CSPR 14-4 Invest in data gathering, analysis, and upgraded technology to improve capital planning, operations, and social inclusion.
CSPR 14-5 Continue identifying adequate and diverse funding sources for developing and maintaining parks and recreational facilities and programming.
CSPR 14-6 Update the City’s park development and parkland dedication impact fee ordinances to reflect the City’s new policy direction of prioritizing park improvements, updated park access guidelines, and consideration of impact fees for commercial and industrial development.
CSPR 14-7 Monitor federal, State, local, and nonprofit parks and recreation funding sources.
The City shall continue to pursue appropriate grant funding.
CSPR 14-8 Consider the use of tax measures or bond financing to assist in the implementation of the parks and recreation improvements program.
CSPR 14-9 Consider use of benefit assessments for the improvement and long -term maintenance of civic spaces when civic spaces are located to provide benefit s to adjacent commercial properties.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Placemaking and branding are addressed in Chapter 10: Economic Development.
GOAL CSPR-15: Recognize the importance of art and cultural activities as an integral factor in sustaining the community's high quality of life.
CSPR 15-1 Strengthen community cohesion with a wide range of intergenerational and multi- cultural artistic and cultural events and programs designed to engage, educate , Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation Element
and encourage the City’s diverse population —including youth —to be active participants and patrons.
CSPR 15-2 Support art and cultural class offerings at parks and recreational facilities .
Encourage public/private partnerships to create more activities in larger neighborhood parks—such as yoga, exercise classes for adults and youth, group sports and games, and meetups —to promote cultural diversity and inclusion amongst residents in terms of race, age, gender, abilities, and language.
CSPR 15-3 Support outreach to, and the cultivation, recognition, and work of local artists, especially those of color and underrepresented groups.
GOAL CSPR-16: Strengthen Napa’s identity as a destination for the visual, performing, and culinary arts, and foster linkages to economic growth and tourism based on arts and culture. Encourage collaboration between local businesses and community organizations to incorporate art into the City’s economic development strategies and to promote cultural tourism.
CSPR 16-1 Update the Public Art Master Plan with community input and consider long-term maintenance requirements or fees to ensure that public art remains a community asset.
CSPR 16-2 Support the development of additional Art Districts/Cultural Districts within the community.
CSPR 16-3 Explore a range of public and private funding sources to support the visual and performing arts, and cultural development goals and activities.
GOAL CSPR-17: Enhance cultural and generational diversity and social connections through oppo rtunities for volunteerism and civic engagement; more public gathering places, family -friendly activities, and public art; and more events that connect residents to one another and keep them active in the community.
CSPR 17-1 Consider zoning changes that would allow artists to live, create, exhibit, and sell their works from their home by permitting artist studios and live/work studios, with a focus around Downtown Napa and within traditional residential neighborhoods.
CSPR 17-2 Establish systems that will encourage and permit exhibitions and performances in designated public areas.
CSPR 17-3 Continue to require public art for new development projects or payment of an in-lieu fee to fund City-sponsored public art installations.
Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
5 Historic and Cultural Resources
Napa has a rich architectural and cultural heritage, which began with inhabitation by Native Americans of the Wappo group along the Napa River over 10,000 years ago, followed by Mexican settlement beginning in the 1820s, and early American settlement circa 1846 to 1849. According to the City of Napa’s Citywide Historic Context Statement, physical development progressed through the Victorian era (1860 -1899), the early twentieth century (19 00-1919), the Prohibition era and the Great Depression (1920 -1939), World War II and the post -war era (1940-1965), and modern Napa (1965 to present). Each of these periods brought new construction trends and patterns that reflected changes in industry and the economy, demographics, politics, and other cultural themes.
5.1 Background and Purpose
The Historic and Cultural Resources (HCR) Element establishes a comprehensive framework to foster historic preservation through the establishment of programs, community education, and coordination within the City and with historic preservation groups. It seeks to protect and enhance historically and culturally significant buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts, and includes goals and policies to promote reh abilitating, retrofitting, and adaptively reusing Napa’s historic assets to preserve resources and enhance Napa’s sense of place.
Napa’s development of a historic preservation program paralleled that of many cities in the country. The first historic resou rce inventory in Napa was prepared in 196 9, and the local preservation organization, Napa Landmarks, was formed in 1974 (later renamed Napa County Landmarks in 1986) in the wake of Downtown revitalization efforts that resulted in the demolition of several historic commercial buildings. At that time, Napa’s City Council also c reated a Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (later renamed the Cultural Heritage Commission) .
Preservation began to be considered in Downtown and surrounding historic neighborhoods. The City’s commitment to its historic built environment is evident in the number of individual efforts that have been made to recognize, catalogue, and protect historic properties over the span of the last 50 years. The City has fostered a number of historic preservation success stories, including the Napa Valley Opera House, Goodman Library, the Cayetano Juarez Adobe, the Hatt Building, and the Borreo Building.
Nevertheless, there are inherent challenges associated with balancing the preservation of historic buildings with new development and other land use priorities. Napa has sustained demolition of Downtown buildings through past efforts, not just by the private sector but by public actions. For instance, the Napa Community Redevelopment Agency demolished b uildings such as the Migliavacca Building (1905, demolished 1973) and Behlow Building (1900, demolished 1977) to create the Town Center, Dwight Murray Plaza, and Downtown parking facilities. As buildings have Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
been lost over time , Downtown’s historic character and the setting of some existing early twentieth century commercial buildings have changed.
As the City looks ahead to the next era of its evolution with a principal focus on infill and redevelopment of existing uses, the need for c onsideration and sensitivity toward historic resources is important. In addition to goals and policies directly related to preservation, this element also addresses topics such as development standards/parking, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and programs and incentives to improve the financial feasibility of preservation and adaptive reuse.
RELATIONSHIP TO COMMUNITY VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES The HCR Element most closely furthers the following Napa Community Vision and Guiding Principles:
Guiding Principle 3: Balance local and tourist needs
Guiding Principle 8: Promote continued Downtown revitalization Guiding Principle 9: Celebrate culture, arts, and history
5.2 Historic Overview
Prior to European settlement, the Napa Valley region was inhabited by Native Americans of the Wappo group. The Wappo occupation of the area dates back 10,000 years, to about 8 ,000 BC, making Napa Valley one of the longest inhabited regions in California. Its long occupation was due to abundant natural resources that the Wappo relied on for subsistence. The Wappo were primarily a hunter-gatherer society and lived in permanent villages typically located near the Napa River or other water sources; sometimes smaller camps could be found near natural springs, along prominent hunting trails, or near major oak groves, which were the sources of acorns that provided nourishment for tribes.
By the early 1800s, however, Native Americans were no longer the sole inhabitants of Napa Valley.
In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain, and two years later, an expedition led by Ensign Jose Sanchez , and accompanied by Jesuit Father Altimura, ventured into Napa Valley. Their purpose was to prepa re the region for Mexican settlement and to deter Russian and American parties from claiming the land. The Mexicans brought Christianity to the Sonoma -Napa region.
Mission San Francisco de Solano, the northernmost mission and last to be constructed (1823) was built in present-day Sonoma. The missions were self-sufficient communities, and each included a church, residences, and support facilities. By the 1830s, with Secularization, most missions had been repurposed or dismantled for building materials that w ent to constructing new buildings.
Outside of Mission San Francisco de Solano, society during the Mexican period was dominated by the landowning Vallejo family. General Mariano Vallejo was in control of vast tracts of land in the Napa Valley, which he subsequently awarded to his loyal soldiers and friends. Cattle ranching was the primary industry on these ranchos. One building that remains from this period is the Cayetano Juarez adobe at Soscol Avenue and Silverado Trail.
Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
By 1846, the Mexican government had begun to protest the arrival of many undocumented foreigners, and rumors circulated that non-Mexican immigrants would be driven out of California and Napa Valley. Worried that they would lose their land due to confusing titles, a band of area residents—including John C. Fremont and future Napa City founders John Grigsby and Nathan Coombs—organized as the Bear Flag Party to lead a revolt against Mexican rule in Alta California.
In early June 1846, the Bear Flaggers initiated the overthrow of the Mexican gov ernment by capturing the town of Sonoma, arresting General Mariano Vallejo, and raising the Bear Flag as a symbol of an independent California. The revolt established the California Republic, which remained independent for only 25 days; it was annexed by t he United States as official news of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) reached California. The following year, in 1847, Napa City was founded by Grigsby and Coombs on a small site at the confluence of the Napa River and Napa Creek. In 1850, California was admitted to the Union as a free state. In Napa, a new street parallel to First Street was named in honor of Henry Clay, the Kentucky senator whose Omnibus Bill admitted California to the Union.
The discovery of gold in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in 1848 brought miners and entrepreneurs to California from all over the world, and Napa Valley prospered as a result. The town’s population soon expanded as the region’s mild climate attracted miners and merchants to Napa for the winter. Early Napa City residents were typically single, working-class men, many of whom lived in hotels or boarding houses. A number of wood -frame commercial buildings were constructed Downtown, but many were temporary due to the ad-hoc nature of Napa’s growth in the wake of the Gold Rush. Agricultural development was scattered throughout the County, with pioneers such as George Yount and others establishing farms on the outskirts of the City. Major development trends that would shape Napa in later years —such as the importance of the Napa River for transportation and commerce, the development of roads and infrastructure, and the establishment of agriculture as a major economic force —had their beginnings during this era.
However, little physical evidence of the early American perio d remains in Napa, as no buildings which date to the mid-1800s appear to be extant in the City today.
Napa grew steadily throughout the Victorian era as people continued to settle and more businesses were established in the town. Transportation, infrastructure, and social services were greatly improved, and by 1880, Napa had a bustling Downtown and a population of approximately 4,000. Napa was officially incorporated on March 23, 1872, as the “Town of Napa City,” and was reincorporated on February 24, 1874, as the “City of Napa.” Around this time, the wine industry grew as the dominant agricultural endeavor, with an increased demand for local wines facilitated partly by the completion of the Napa Valley Railroad in 1868. New vineyards were established throughout the valley, and winery operations ranged from small family businesses to large winery complexes. By the late 1880s, there were more than 20,000 acres of vineyards producing nearly five million gallons of wine per year. The vestiges of small agricultural properties, including barns, tank houses, and other outbuildings can still be found throughout the City, and represent rural farmsteads that were gradually enveloped by urban growth.
By the turn of the twentieth century, Napa had grown into a self -sufficient town with successful industries, businesses, and residents. Still tied to its agricultural roots, Napa had a population of 5,500 in 1905. Over the next two decades, the arrival of inter-urban electric railroads linked Napa to Vallejo, San Francisco, and the rest of the Bay Area, boosting its economy and encouraging residential growth through World War I. In the 1920s and 1930s, Napa was a blue -collar Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
community; most men worked union jobs at the lo cal clothing and other factories , or at the nearby Mare Island Naval Shipyard. This era saw steady construction of single -family homes and the establishment of more factories, but Prohibition and the Great Depression greatly curbed economic development in Napa.
When the United States entered World War II in 1941, the entire Bay Area quickly became an arsenal for the production of wartime supplies , as well as the departure point for the Pacific Theater. For instance, Contra Costa County alone produced 3.5 percent of all war products manufactured in the entire nation, and the City of Richmond hosted 55 major war industries, including Kaiser’s four gigantic shipyards, which employed 100,000 workers. Nearly half a million people from all over the country flocked to the Bay Area for employment, and local communities experienced housing shortages and major demographic shifts. Napa’s main contribution to the war effort came in supplying housing for defense workers, rather than in the actual production of goods. In 1930, N apa had a population of only 6,437; by 1950, that figure had jumped to over 13,000. Because of the large influx of people, infrastructure improvements and rapid suburban development occurred in Napa during the war and continued well into the postwar era. U p until that time, the City had grown in an organic piecemeal fashion, but with such a boom in population and physical growth, the first Zoning Ordinance was instituted in 1945. Since then, zoning regulations have controlled how and where the City expands.
The City continued to grow beyond the postwar era, reaching a population of 37,000 by 1970.
However, the decline of manufacturing, redevelopment, and the rebirth of the wine industry were the major forces that impacted modern Napa. The City of Napa is st ill the Valley’s population center, but it is a very different place than it was in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Since its initial growth in the Gold Rush and Victorian eras, Napa has been transformed from a blue-collar town into a service -based, majority-crop community. With a population of 76,498 in 2021 and an area of 18.15 square miles, the City’s economy today remains keyed to wine and tourism, but many residents are nostalgic for old Napa.
The City’s built heritage is reflected in its collection of extant historic buildings and neighborhoods, which include Queen Anne cottages and Colonial Revival style mansions, farmstead vestiges like tank houses and barns, Italianate and Art Deco commercial buildings, as well as civic, religious, and industrial properties. These historic buildings and structures provide a link to the cultures of the past and are part of the continuum of Napa’s built heritage. Though early periods of the City’s cultural past have few remaining physical artifacts, the City’s history and culture is also preserved through methods such as storytelling, interpretive programming, and the erection of monuments.
In the last 50 years in particular, multi -cultural influences, such as Asian American and Latinx communities, have also contributed to the cultural heritage recognized in the City today.
The HCR Element recognizes that connections to culture and history are essential characteristics of a community that values its quality of life and wishes to be seen by its residents, n eighbors, and visitors as an attractive and desirable place.
Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
5.3 Historic Surveys and Historic Resources
HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEYS AND HISTORIC CONTEXT STATEMENTS The City possesses a significant collection of historic resources, largely in the form of residential and commercial historic properties and districts from the late nineteenth through mid-twentieth centuries. The City of Napa has done much to document its historic resources since the first inventory was conducted in 1969, particularly in the last decade.
Historic Context Statements present an overview of a city’s or a neighborhood’s history with a specific emphasis on identifying important periods, events, themes, and patterns of development, as well as the various property types associated with this development. They also discuss historic significance and integrity considerations for each property type. This provides a framework for identifying and evaluating individual historic properties and neighborhoods for the Nationa l Register of Historical Resources, California Register of Historical Resources, and City of Napa Historic Resources Inventory (HRI).
Historic surveys, context statements, and key preservation efforts completed in Napa include the following; context statements are italicized for easy review:
1969 Historic Resource Inventory
1978 Napa County Historic Resource Survey , which identified nine historic areas in the City of Napa: Downtown, Napa Abajo -Fuller Park, St. John’s, Spencer’s Addition, West Napa, East Napa, Calistoga Avenue, and Alta Heights. 1988 Designation of Calistoga Avenue Historic District as a local landmark district 1994 Fuller Park Historic Resources Inventory
1995 Napa City-Wide Survey
St. John’s Historic Resources Survey
1996 Residential Context Statement. This effort was focused on the City’s nine oldest residential neighborhoods identified in a 1978 Survey. This context statement also discussed recommendations for the designation and treatment of potential residential resources and districts.
Designation of Napa -Abajo-Fuller Park on the National Register of Historic Places
2008-2010 The Heritage Napa program included a City-Wide Historic Context Statement that identified geographic areas, property types, and overarching themes relevant to the history and development of the City.
A Historic Resources Field Guide . Set the standards for future survey work within the City. The guide identified types of survey, methods of survey, and guidance for conducting both field work and post-field work documentation.
Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
Historic Context Statements and Survey Reports for Soscol Gateway/East Napa (2010), Spencer’s Addition (2010), West Napa (2010) , which included the identification of eligible historic districts.
2011 Downtown Napa Historic Context Statement and Survey Report Alta Heights Historic Context Statement and Survey Report 2016 City of Napa Historic Resources Inventory
City of Napa Registry of Significant Trees
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY
As of January 2016, the last time the HRI was published, 2,538 individual properties are listed on the HRI as either individual resources (Figures 5-1) or contributors to a historic district (Figure 5- 2).
The following properties in Table 5 -1 are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. All properties listed in the National Register are automatically listed in the California Register of Historical Resources.
Table 5-1: Properties on the National Register of Historic Places APN Address 1 Address 2 Est. Built
005101003000 443 Brown St 1886
005101019000 485 Brown St 1889
003281011000 529 Brown St 531 Brown St 1880
003281007000 549 Brown St 1880
003215001000 825 Brown St 1878
003222001000 840 Brown St 844 Brown St
003221012000 908 Brown St 1930
003062015000 1720 Brown St 1882
002133050000 1930 Clay St 1877
005053002000 495 Coombs St 1904
003231012000 975 First St 1888
003167011000 1026 First St 1915
003166004000 1130 First St 1146 First St 1929
003164005000 1202 First St 1905
003211002000 1219 First St 1901
003192005000 1750 First St 1902
002152011000 1927 First St 1929 First St 1875
002152006000 2109 First St 1895
003261001000 1473 Fourth St 1477 Fourth St 1895
Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
APN Address 1 Address 2 Est. Built
003277002000 500 Main St 550 Main St 1884
003221012000 901 Main St 903 Main St 1923
003231001000 942 Main St 948 Main St 1888
003172003000 1030 Main St 1879
003137003000 1245 Main St 1875
003062030000 1727 Main St 1889
003281016000 1120 Oak St 1872
005053001000 492 Randolph St 1891
003208001000 1351 Second St 1933
005021011000 423 Seminary St 1884
003252010000 741 Seminary St 1892
003152013000 1221 Seminary St 1861
046570008000 376 Soscol Ave
003209004000
004291015000
1333 Third St
2344 Old Sonoma
1874
1910
Source: Dyett & Bhatia, 2018.
Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
Figure 5 -1: Individual Historic Properties
Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
Figure 5 -2: Historic Districts
Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
DOWNTOWN HISTORIC RESOURCES
As previously mentioned, a Historic Context Statement and Historic Resources Survey for Downtown was completed in 2011. Historic resources in Downtown include commercial, civic and institutional, residential, and industrial properties. These resources range in construction date from the Victorian era through the post -World War II era and are rendered in a variety of architectural styles. Historic commercial properties are generally centrally loca ted in Downtown Napa, especially along Main, Brown, and Coombs Streets and First, Second, and Third Streets.
Historic civic buildings also tend to be centrally located Downtown. The Napa Mill Complex in the southeast near the Napa River is the only histori c industrial building complex remaining Downtown.
Because of the significant presence of historic resources in Downtown and the projected growth there, the need for significant attention to preservation is vital. Flexibility in development standards—such as modified parking standards —could alleviate pressure to demolish historic resources in favor of vehicular parking.
Existing historic buildings and historic character adjacent to potential development sites should be protected, as well as historic resources that may be threatened by the need for more parking due to density increases. It is important to integrate sensitive massing transitions and compatible design approaches to new construction while primarily maintaining the historic urban form and buildings that make Napa’s Downtown unique.
HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS
Napa’s historic neighborhoods are gems that have undergone much revitalization in the last 20 years. From 2008 to 2012, the City undertook a large effort to study its historic neighborhoods, defining areas that merit special recognition and protection, and implementing design guidelines and neighborhood strategies for development that resulted from the Napa Abajo/Fuller Park Design Guidelines (see below). Additional historic districts may be ident ified through future historic resources survey efforts.
Designated and previously identified potential historic districts include:
• Napa Abajo Fuller Park National Register District
• Calistoga Avenue Local Historic Landmark District
• East Napa Potential Local Historic District
• First & Jefferson Potential Local Historic District
• Fuller South Potential Local Historic District
• Glenwood Gardens Potential Local Historic District
• Spencer's Addition Potential Local Historic District
• St. John's Potential Local Historic District
• West Napa Potential Local Historic District
Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
5.4 Preservation Plans and Programs
FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS
Certified Local Government
The City of Napa is a Certified Local Government (CLG) for historic preservation. The City was certified in February 1986. The National Historic Preservation Act provides for the establishment of a CLG to encourage the direct participation of local governments in the identification, evaluation, registration, and preservation of historic properties withi n their jurisdictions and promote the integration of local preservation interests and concerns into local planning and decision-making processes. The CLG program is a partnership among local governments, the State of California Office of Historic Preservation, and the National Park Service which is responsible for administering the National Historic Preservation Program. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 36, Chapter 1, Part 61.6 provides the specific requirements for CLG program participants.
The State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) prepared a written certification agreement between the City and SHPO which lists the City’s specific responsibilities when certified. Among the requirements of being a CLG are to:
• Enforce appropriate state and lo cal laws and regulations for the designation and protection of historic properties;
• Establish an historic preservation review commission by local ordinance – the Historic Preservation Ordinance (Napa Municipal Code Chapter 15.52) and the Cultural Heritage Commission (Napa Municipal Code Chapter 2.70);
• Maintain a system for the survey and inventory of historic properties; • Provide for public participation in the local preservation program; and • Satisfactorily perform responsibilities delegated to it by the State, which are monitored and evaluated by the SHPO.
State Historical Building Code
The City has long used the California State Historic Building Code ( SHBC) for historic structures and incorporated it into the Napa Municipal Code under Title 15.52. The SHBC is defined in the California Health and Safety Code, and provides alternative building regulations for permitting repairs, alterations , and additions necessary for the preservation, rehabilitation, relocation, related construction, change of use, or continued use of a “qualified historical building or structure.”
The Health and Safety Code defines a "qualified historical building or structure” as “any structure or property, collection of structures, and their associated sites deemed of importance to the history, architecture, or culture of an area by an appropriate local or State governmental jurisdiction. This shall include structures on existing or future national, State or local historical registers or official inventories, such as the National Register of Historic Places, State Historical Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
Landmarks, State Points of Historical Interest, and City or County of Napa registers or inventories of historical or architecturally significant sites, places, historic districts, or landmarks. This shall also include places, locations, or sites identified on these historical registers or official inventories and deemed of importance to the history, arc hitecture, or culture of an area by an appropriate local or State governmental jurisdiction.”20
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
The City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance (Napa Municipal Code Chapter 15.52) was substantially updated effective 2016 , and is intended to further the General Plan ’s goals, policies, and implementation programs through the following measures:
• Encourage the identification, evaluation and protection of historic resources, including types that have been underrepresented in the past , such as those associated with ethnic heritage, cultural landscapes, and the recent past; • Foster appreciation and understanding of the City’s heritage; • Perpetuate endemic traditions and craftsmanship in order to promote the retention of Napa’s intangible heritage;
• Retain and enhance the visual character of the City by promoting the retention of historic resources while encouraging new construction and infill design that is compatible with the historic character; and
• Promote economic viability through historic preservation.21 The Historic Preservation Ordinance identifies procedures for nominating or designating historic resources, local landmarks, and districts as well as procedures for removing a resource from th e HRI. It identifies the requirements for performing work on historic resources , as well as demolition, and defines the process for determining or approving economic hardship as an exemption. Finally, the Historic Preservation Ordinance establishes a means to “keep (a historic resource) in good repair,” and the procedure or method of enforcement.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Several design guidelines have been adopted by the Napa City Council to further preservation. 1998 Napa Abajo/Fuller Park Design Guidelines. These provide rehabilitation guidelines for historic buildings in the Fuller Park and Napa Abajo neighborhoods. The guidelines are also widely applied to historic buildings and districts throughout the City when developing infill housing in his toric districts and when renovating cultural and historic landmark properties.
2000 Soscol Corridor/ Downtown Riverfront Guidelines . These design guidelines address urban design objectives for Downtown Napa and the Soscol Avenue Corridor, promoting
20 https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21410. Retrieved May 28, 2021. 21 (O2015-15, 12/15/15)
Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
pedestrian-scaled design and new development that maximizes the potential for Downtown activity while remaining consistent with architectural traditions of Napa. 2000 Rehabilitation Guidelines for Historic Properties (contained within the Napa Abajo/Fuller Park Design Guidelines) were adopted as citywide criteria for evaluating applications for changes to listed historic buildings throughout the City. These Rehabilitation Guidelines provide practical and explicit advice for rehabilitating historic buildings. 2012 Downtown Specific Plan . Appendix G: Downtown Napa Historic Resources Design Guidelines in the Downtown Specific Plan provides guidance and maximizes flexibility for infill development within historic districts and for alterations to historic resources.
ECONOMIC VIABILITY
Economic viability is often a critical factor in whether a historic resource is preserved; therefore, financial assistance is an important tool for historic preservation. This can be accomplished through incentives such as tax benefits or abatement (Mills Act or federal historic tax credits) , grants, and also on a larger scale by promoting Napa’s historic resources as unique attractions and destinations for customers and tourists. Further promotion or marketing effort s to identify Napa as a destination for heritage tourism could lead to additional revenue generation or incentives.
5.5 Archaeological Resources and Intangible Cultural Heritage Throughout various periods of Napa’s historical development, the area has been home to a diverse population whose traditions have characterized the City’s culture, and whose ancestors, archaeological artifacts, and /or intangible cultural heritage are important to recognize and protect. As defined by the United Nations Educa tional, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), intangible cultural heritage includes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, or knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts. Intangible cultural heritage is often associated with ethnic communities or cultural groups.
As mentioned earlier, p rior to European settlement, the Napa Valley region was inhabited by Native Americans of the Wappo group. No known architectural resources exist from Napa’s early Native American period. However, archaeological artifacts discovered from this period would likely yield information from the past about the lives and culture of the Wappo.
In 1821, Mexico gained indepen dence from Spain, and two years later, an expedition ventured into Napa Valley to prepare the region for Mexican settlement. By the 1830s, with secularization, society during the Mexican period was dominated by the cattle ranching industry. Several ranchos in the area of present-day Napa, including Rancho Tulucay, Rancho Napa, and Rancho Entre Napa, were owned by Californios (as Mexican citizens in California were called). The only known building extant from the Mexican period is the Cayetano Juarez adobe. However, archaeological artifacts may exist from the rancho era.
Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
Following California’s admittance to the United States in 1850, the Californio culture faded and American culture dominated. However, a large, important immigrant group in nineteenth-century California was the Chinese, many of whom came to Napa Valley to work in the quicksilver mines, help lay the Napa Valley Railroad, labor in the vineyards and wine caves, and work as domestic servants. There was also a large Italian immigrant population who worked at the local marble works and agriculture industry.
By the early decades of the twentieth century, the Chinese population had dwindled, and the City was home to a small number of Japanese, as well as Germans and Italians. The population in the City of Napa began to diversify more during and after World War II. The huge demand for workers in the defense industry left agricultural work untended across California. To address the labor shortage in the agricultural industry, growers in Napa brought Mexican workers in to fill the gap through California’s “guest worker” —or bracero —program sponsored by the federal government. A few Mexican workers had already begun to settle in Napa Valley in the 1920s, but even with the bracero program, the Mexican population was small and scattered. After the war, many of these workers were offered permanent employment and began to organize clubs and businesses that celebrated Mexican traditions and culture. Migrant workers from Mexico arrived in large numbers beginning in the 1970s, and soon became the fastest growing immigrant group in Napa.
Today, the intangible cultural heritage practices of the City’s residents are important to recognize and preserve alongside the history represented in the built environment.
5.6 Goals and Policies
Goals and implementing policies related to historic resources are outlined in this section .
Appendix A contains “implementing programs” intended to implement the goals and policies in this section.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND AWARENESS
GOAL HCR-1 Preserve and enhance Napa’s historic resources. Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, as well as sensitive, context-compatible infill design.
HCR 1-1 Utilize sustainable or “green” building practices in the preservation and maintenance of historic resources , provided that the sustainable building practices adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and local design guidelines.
HCR 1-2 Apply the California State Historical Building Code to rehabilitation projects to ensure that rehabilitation does not compromise the integrity of historic resources.
HCR 1-3 Encourage seismic strengthening to protect the City’s valuable historic properties from future earthquakes, wildfire, and other events caused by climate change.
This includes the development of incentives to encourage property owners to retrofit their buildings.
Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
HCR 1-4 Maintain a photographic record of successful restoration projects to inform future project applicants of architectural styles, historic construction methods, probable materials, and appropriate reconstruction techniques.
HCR 1-5 Promote the use, update, and preparation of new design guidelines for new additions, rehabilitation of existing structures, and infill design to ensure compatibility with historic resources.
There are four existing design guidelines that discuss historic resources: Napa Abajo-Fuller Park Design Guidelines, Soscol Corridor/Downtown Riverfront Guidelines, Rehabilitation Guidelines for Historic Properties (contained within the Napa Abajo-Fuller Design Guidelines), and the Downtown Specific Plan (including Downtown Napa Historic Resources Design Guidelines). New or updated guidelines should apply citywide, or to historic districts and historic residential areas, and should be reviewed and updated as needed to ensure that they meet current best practices and include topical issues such as ADUs. When current design guidelines are updated, objective design standards should be considered to help with implementation.
HCR 1-6 Establish design guidelines to adapt industrial historic properties where these are designated for new uses.
HCR 1-7 Encourage and assist property owners in bringing damaged or blighted historic properties into use and/or new use.
HCR 1-8 Update parking requirements to encourage adaptive reuse of historic properties into viable contemporary uses.
GOAL HCR-2 Continue implementation of the City’s preservation program in accordance with Certified Local Government (CLG) requirements, including identifying sites, buildings, and landscapes that serve as significant, visible reminders of the City’s social, architectural, and agricultural history. This should include the recognitio n of historic resources that have been underrepresented, such as those associated with ethnic heritage, cultural landscapes, and the recent past.
HCR 2-1 Leverage resources from State, federal, and private programs, as well as local preservation groups to assist in the identification, designation, and preservation of historic and cultural resources.
HCR 2-2 Update the City of Napa Historic Context Statement as part of the CLG Program, including updating themes related to ethnic heritage, cultural landscapes, the recent p ast, and intangible cultural heritage. The Recommendations section, which prioritizes future historic resource survey efforts, may also be updated.
Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
HCR 2-3 Update the City’s Historic Resource Inventory (HRI) at least every five to ten years to include properties that may have reached 45 years of age and have been found historically significant. This should include the following survey efforts:
• Update the five previously surveyed areas to capture buildings that have since become 45 years of age. This includes historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts that are reminders of past eras, events, and people; significant examples of architectural styles; irreplaceable assets; and examples of how past generations lived. Though all five surveys should be updated, priority may be given in the following order, based on percentage of properties built after 1965: Alta Heights (14.5 percent), Downtown (13 percent), Spencer’s Addition (10 percent), Soscol Gateway (8.5 percent), and West Napa (7 percent). • Survey additional areas to provide a comprehensive look at historic resources citywide. The City-Wide Historic Context Statement (2009) identified and prioritized 33 areas within Napa that were built between 1850 and 1963 (the 45-year threshold at the time the document was prepared) that have the potential for historic properties. As five areas were surveyed, the remaining 28 subareas should be added to the City’s survey work program. Properties 45 years or older at the time of survey should be recorded in these areas. • If the updated City-Wide Historic Context Statement provides recommendations for survey of additional areas beyond the 33 previously identified areas that may contain properties built between 1964 and the 45-year threshold at the time the document is updated, those subareas should also be added to the survey work program.
HCR 2-4 Add individual properties that are determined to be significant and eligible at the local, State, or national levels through Historic Resource Evaluations to the HRI.
HCR 2-4HCR 2-5 Allocate Staff resources for the implementation of the City’s preservation program.
GOAL HCR-3 Encourage the designation and recognition of properties and districts as local landmarks and on the California Register of Historical Resources and National Register of Historic Places.
HCR 3-1 Enlist a qualified architectural historian to conduct a survey update of recognized potential landmark districts, including identification of boundaries and contributing and non-contributing properties, and preparation of nominations for the designations. Following the process outlined in the Historic Preservation Ordinance, the nominations should be filed with the Community Development Department and considered by the Cultural Heritage Commission and the City Council.
HCR 3-2 Efforts to designate individual properties and historic districts to the California Register or National Register may be initiated by City staff, the Cultural Heritage Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
Commission, and/or citizens who desire to recognize the historic qualities of properties in the City of Napa. The process for preparing and reviewing nominations should follow instructions provided by the California Office of Historic Preservation.
HCR 3-3 Continue implementation of the City’s Historic District Signage program to recognize and promote Napa’s unique neighborhoods and designated Landmark Districts.
HCR 3-4 Continue implementation of the City’s bronze medallions, awarded by Heritage Napa, to be attached to City Landmarks.
GOAL HCR-4 Promote community awareness and appreciation of Napa’s history and architecture through educational programs.
HCR 4-1 Host community workshops and lectures that discuss the history of Napa’s development, criteria for historic designation, the review process for alterations to historic properties, and methods for preserving or restoring historic features, sites, and landscapes.
HCR 4-2 Encourage heritage tourism through walking tours (guided or self-guided), home tours, history-related events, and similar experiences in historic neighborhoods during National Preservation Month (May) and throughout the year.
HCR 4-3 Support the efforts of private, nonprofit organizations to educate school children about the value of local history and architecture, using HRI information.
ECONOMIC VIABILITY
GOAL HCR-5 Promote economic viability of historic and cultural resources through historic preservation and programs to encourage owners of historic resources to preserve or rehabilitate historic properties by providing incentives where feasible.
HCR 5-1 Encourage application for Mills Act contracts for designated historic resources on the City’s HRI.
HCR 5-2 Promote financial incentives such as façade grants, easements, a revolving loan fund, and low-interest loans, and target these to priority issues or projects.
GOAL HCR-6 Encourage retention of historic structures in their original use or conversion back to their original use where feasible and support sensitive, adaptive reuse.
HCR 6-1 Allow flexible use as part of an adaptive use strategy, provided that the architectural integrity of the building is preserved and conforms with the Secretary Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Particular standards for authorized types of uses should be identified in the zoning code.
GOAL HCR-7 Balance the preservation of historic resources with the desire of property owners of historic structures to sensitively adopt energy efficient strategies.
HCR 7-1 Encourage energy efficient strategies provided that projects meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines and Standards.
GOAL HCR-8 Promote the economic benefits that historic preservation provides to local economies.
HCR 8-1 Promote marketing efforts to identify Napa as a destination for heritage tourism, which could lead to additional revenue generation or incentive.
One approach could be to seek the Preserve America Community designation.
Preserve America is a federal initiative administered by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation that includes several designation programs that encourage and support efforts to preserve and enjoy the country’s cultural and natural heritage. Under the larger initiative, Preserve America Communities is a designation program that recognizes communities that protect and celebrate their heritage; use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization; and encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
GOAL HCR-9 Achieve a vital Downtown that reflects its historic urban form and setting, offering a mix of old and new buildings.
HCR 9-1 Promote the preservation of the historic urban form of the Downtown when rehabilitating historic buildings or designing infill construction. Use techniques such as integrating sensitive massing transitions between new construction and historic buildings, c ompatibility with historic materials , and characteristic rhythms, solid-to-void ratios, and landscape elements.
HCR 9-2 Maintain and restore or rehabilitate City-owned properties ident ified as landmarks, within a historic district, or listed on , or eligible for , the California Register of Historical Resources or the National Register of Historic Places.
HCR 9-3 Encourage the maintenance and restoration of privately owned D owntown properties listed in the City of Napa’s HRI, identified as City landmarks, located within a historic district, or listed on the California Register of Historical Resources or the National Register of Historic Places.
GOAL HCR-10 Work with the local tourism industry, businesses, and property owners to support and foster Downtown historic resources as a destination, Napa General Plan 2040
Public Review Draft
demonstrating that historic resources contribute to the uniqueness of the visitor experience.
HCR 10-1 Continue efforts to provide educational resource s to the public regarding Napa’s historic and cultural resources to support heritage tourism.
HCR 10-2 Encourage Downtown businesses located in historic buildings to add information to their websites and social media accounts about the history and architecture of the building.
GOAL HCR-11 Protect the setting of historic resources when providing parki ng in Napa’s historic Downtown.
HCR 11-1 If additional parking is required due to density increases or building use changes, establish regulations that will allow flexible parking requirements to protect threatened historic resources.
HCR 11-2 Provide additional parking in locations and at a scale that will not negatively impact the setting of historic resources.
HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS
GOAL HCR-12 Maintain historic neighborhoods and encourage retention of the character of existing historic buildings, parks and open spaces, and urban design elements that define the built environment of the City’s older neighborhoods.
HCR 12-1 Identify and protect historic gateways and support the preserva tion of historic bridges, stone walls, street trees, open space , and viewsheds that contribute to the character of historic neighborhoods.
HCR 12-2 Encourage traffic calming measures in historic neighborhoods to maintain their charm, particularly on cut-through str eets used by GPS routing and delivery vehicles.
GOAL HCR-13 Retain historic character when Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs ) are built, by taking siting, massing , and design into consideration along with the historic context of the neighborhood and the property’s histor ic architecture.
HCR 13-1 Encourage the establishment and use of objective design standards for ADUs on historic properties and within historic districts.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE GOAL HCR-14 Protect and preserve important archaeological resources.
Chapter 5: Historic and Cultural Resources Element
HCR 14-1 Consider federal and State procedures and requirements relating to the preservation and protection of archeological resources and sites , such as the National Historic Preservation Act’s Section 106 process and the National Environmental Policy Act, when evaluating applications for development projects.
HCR 14-2 For development and redevelopment proposals in archaeologically or tribal cultural sensitive areas of Napa, require an assessment of the potential presence of archaeological and tri bal cultural resources, including a site survey and a records search of the California Historical Resources Information System at the Northwest Information Center. As warranted by the results of the assessment, require additional studies to identify and ad dress project -specific impacts on archaeological and tribal cultural resources.
The City should incorporate the study recommendations as project conditions of approval to ensure that impacts on archaeological and/or tribal cultural resources are mitigated to the extent possible. Studies should be prepared according to National Register Bulletin 24: Guidelines for Local Surveys: A Basis for Preservation Planning and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
GOAL HCR-15 Recognize the Tribal Nations who first lived in the Napa area and preserve their identity, culture, and artifacts.
HCR 15-1 Work with local Tribal Nations on development projects to avoid known cultural sites and resources to the extent feasible.
HCR 15-2 Establish City policies and procedures that require development projects to comply with state and federal law that upon discovery of Native American remains or archaeological artifacts during construction, all activity will cease until qualified professional archaeological examination and reburial in an appropriate manner is accomplished.
HCR 15-3 Collaborate with local Tribal Nations on treatment protocols for handling human remains and cultural items affiliated with affected Tribal Nations.
HCR 15-4 Collaborate with local Tribal Nations on cultural events and development of educational signage to promote recognition of their contributions to Napa.
GOAL HCR-16 Recognize the endemic traditions of various communities in Napa, including Latinx, Asian American, and African American communities.
HCR 16-1 Promote the retention and appreciation of Napa’s intangible cultural heritage.
Representations of intangible cultural heritage may include oral traditions, performing arts, social practices and festive events, legacy businesses, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
6 Climate Change and Sustainability
6.1 Background and Purpose
The Climate Change and Sustainability (CCS) Element outlines goals and policies to combat climate change, and address adaptation and community resiliency. It reinforces the City’s commitment to identify and allocate City resources to evaluate relevant scientific and societal data and lead community engagement necessary to establish City programs that will reduce carbon emissions, mitigate adverse impacts on t he environment from climate change , and improve community resilience and adaptation to climate change.
The impacts of climate change are readily apparent in Napa County, which has seen extensive wildfires in recent years , including in areas close to the City’s edges . Drought and flooding are becoming more frequent in Napa Valley, as they are elsewhere in California. A key part of adapting to the impacts of climate changes is urban resiliency, defined as the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems within a city to survive, adapt, and grow , no matter what types of chronic stresses (e.g., high unemployment, poor or overtaxed infrastructure, water shortages) and acute shocks (e.g., wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and disease outbreaks) they experience.22 Achieving urban resiliency is a complex and multifaceted goal that is covered throughout the General Plan. The CCS Element supports the environmental sustainability aspect of u rban resilience , and is supplemented by other elements in the General Plan including transportation, safety and noise, and economic development. “Emphasize environmental sustainability” is one of Napa’s guiding principles and is an intrinsic component of all elements within this General Plan. Sustainability focuses on three components:
the stewardship of and respect for the environment and natural resources of a community; increasing and deepening the social equity among people in the community – including the education, skills , and health of the population; and strengthening the economic and financial prosperity of the community. The very same policies that further sustainable development also enhance quality of life and public health, increase energy efficiency and eliminate waste, enhance biological resources, and further other initiatives central to this General Plan. The purpose of incorporating sustainability throughout the General Plan is to reduce the City’s carbon footprint, and to take responsibility for the potential impacts of projected development and population growth on the environment.
By implementing sustainable design measures and policies, Napa can reduce its contribution to global climate change, minimize reliance on fossil fuel sources, decrease consumption of natural
22 American Planning Association, Planning for Resilience. Blog post. Accessed 10/2020. https://www.planning.org/blog/blogpost/9124762/
Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
resources, and mitigate development’s impacts on the natural environment . At the same time, the City can promote active living, access to healthy food, and demonstrate its commitment and leadership on sustainability. Beca use policies related to topics such as mobility, land use, and safety are addressed in other elements, those elements should be consulted along with the CCS Element for a full understanding of General Plan sustainability initiatives.
The CCS Element builds upon the initial efforts of the 2012 City of Napa Sustainability Plan, which outlined voluntary mechanisms to promote sustainability, to clearly articulate new citywide goals and actions, and center sustainability and climate change as community priorities.
While the General Plan outlines broad goals and strategies, the City continues cross-jurisdictional collaboration to address climate change from a regional perspective by working with Napa County on a combined Climate Action Plan (CA P). This joint effort will take a deeper dive into causes of climate change in Napa County and identify strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). SLCPs are certain types of GHG emissions that have relatively short atmospheric lifespans, and include methane, hydrof luorocarbons (HFCs), and anthropogenic black carbon. As used in this General Plan element, the term GHGs includes SLCPs.
During preparation of the Draft General Plan, on April 5, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution R2022-030, a resolution declaring a climate emergency , furthering the City’s commitment to combating Climate Change. This resolution added the City of Napa to a growing list of communities committed to a goal of Net Zero Climate pollution by 2030 and demonstrates the City’s commitment to implementing goals and policies in the General Plan through actionable tasks and projects. Additionally, the resolution calls upon the City to evaluate all planning and policy decisions with the lens of this commitment to climate change initiatives.
Topics addressed in this element include:
• Climate change and GHG reduction (also addressed in Chapter 8: Safety and Noise; GHG emissions are analyzed in the EIR)
• Land use and mobility (also addressed in Chapter 2: Land Use and Community Design, and Chapter 3: Transportation)
• Green infrastructure (also addressed in Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation) • Sustainable energy and security
• Green building
• Urban forest (also addressed in Chapter 9: Public Health and Equity) • Solid waste recycling and waste reduction
• Water use efficiency and conservation
STATE REQUIREMENTS AND GHG REDUCTION TARGETS
Combating climate change and its effects is a top priority for California , and certain mitigation actions can only be undertaken at the state or national levels. There are various State laws and Executive Orders that pertain to fighting climate change. The following is a summary of some of the requirements related to GHG emissions reduction.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
State GHG Reduction Targets
Governor’s Executive Order S-3-05
Executive Order S -3-05 (EO S -3-05), issued in 2005 , recognizes Californ ia’s vulnerability to increased temperatures causing human health impacts, rising sea levels, and a reduced Sierra snowpack due to a changing climate. The Executive Order established targets to reduce GHG emissions to 2000 levels by 2010, to 1990 levels by 2020, and to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2016 (Senate Bill 32) Executive Order S -3-15 (EO S -3-15) issued in 2015 established an interim target to reduce GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. In 2016, the Legislature passed S enate Bill (SB) 32, which codified the 2030 GHG emissions reduction target.
Governor’s Executive Order B-55-18
Executive Order B -55-18 (EO B -55-18), issued in 2018, established a statewide goal to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible, and no later than 2045, and to achieve and maintain net negative emissions thereafter. EO B -55-18 is established in addition to the existing statewide targets of reducing GHG emissions. To achieve this target, remaining emissions must be offset by equivalent net removals of CO2 from the atmosphere, including through sequestration in forests, soils, and other natural landscapes.
Executive Order N-79-20
Executive Order N-79-20 (EO N-79-20) issued in September 2020 established a statewide goal that 100 percent of in-state sales of new passenger cars and trucks will be zero-emission by 2035, that 100 percent of medium - and heavy-duty vehicles in the State be zero -emission by 2045 for all operations where feasible, and that 100 percent of all drayage trucks will be zero -emission by 2035 where feasible. EO N-79-20 also establishes a goal to transition to 100 percent zero-emission off-road vehicles and equipment by 2035 where feasible. EO N -79-20 directs CARB to develop regulations that will help achieve these goals.
CARB Scoping Plans
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32, or AB 32) codifies the targets set in EO S-3-05 of statewide reductions to 1990 emissions levels by 2020. AB 32 directs the Califo rnia Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop and implement a scoping plan and regulations to meet the 2020 target. The initial Scoping Plan was prepared in 2008, and updated in 2013 and in 2017. The Scoping Plan operationalizes the State’s GHG reduction targ ets. The 2017 Scoping Plan recommends that local governments target 6 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) per capita per year in 2030 and 2 MTCO2e per capita per year in 2050.The 2022 Scoping Plan will lay out more strict targets to achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century.
Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
Methane SLCP Emissions Reductions: Senate Bill 1383
SB 1383 was adopted in 2016 to establish methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants ( SLCPs) in variou s sectors of California’s economy. The bill codifies CARB’s Short -Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy, established pursuant to SB 605 (Lara, Chapter 523, Statutes of 2014), in order to achieve reductions in the statewide emissions of SLCPs. SB 1383 establishes targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. This legislation also set statewide emissions reduction targets specifying a 40 percent reduction in methane, a 40 percent reduction in HFC s, and a 50 percent reduction in anthropogenic black carbon below 2013 levels by 2030. The law grants CalRecycle the regulatory authority required to achieve the organic waste disposal reduction targets and establishes an additional target that not less than 20 percent of currently disposed edible food is recovered for human consumption by 2025. SB 1383 is the most sweeping and significant solid waste and recycling related legislation since AB 939 and allows for penalties to be imposed by the State of California on non-compliant cities and counties. 100 Percent Clean Energy Act
The 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2018 (Senate Bill 100, or SB 100) sets a State policy that eligible renewable energy and zero -carbon resources supply 100 percent of all retail sales of electricity in California by 2045. SB 100 accelerates California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) established under SB 350 to increase production of energy from renewable resources. In recognition that California retail sellers are well on their way to achieving the target in advance of the existing deadlines, SB 100 requires providers to supply 50 percent of their electricity from eligible renewable energy resources by 2026 and 60 percent by 2030.
California Climate Adaptation Strategy (2021)
The California Climate Adaptation Strategy outlines priorities for climate adaptation actions and how key state agencies can coordinate to achieve these priorities. While these strategies are primarily used to direct state agency actions, the General Plan acknowledges these priorities and further coordination with state agency pr iorities can help support local and regional actions to adapt to and reduce impacts from climate change.
Title 24 Building Standards & CALGreen
Title 24 is California’s Building Energy Code, and is updated every three years. In 2010, Title 24 was updated to include the “California Green Building Standards Code,” referred to as CALGreen.
CALGreen requires that new buildings reduce water consumption, increase system efficiencies, divert construction waste from landfills, and install low pollutant -emitting fin ish materials.
CALGreen has mandatory measures that apply to non -residential and residential construction.
The most recent 2019 CALGreen code was adopted in 2018 and became effective in 2020. A notable change under this update is the requirement for installation of solar photovoltaics on all new residential buildings. CALGreen contains voluntary Tier 1 and Tier 2 levels, which are designed to exceed energy efficiency and other standards by 15 percent or 30 percent. CALGreen and other California Building Standards Code is adopted under Napa Municipal Code Title 15 Chapter 15.04.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Recycling and Source Reduction
Assembly Bill 341
In 2011, AB 341 set the goal of 75 percent recycling, composting, or source reduction of solid waste by 2020 calling for the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to take a statewide approach to decreasing California’s reliance on landfills. This goal was an update to the continuing mandate of 50 percent waste diversion set by AB 939.
In 2012, the City formally adopted a Disposal Reduction Policy that mirrored AB 341 at a local level and set a local goal of 75% (or more) of recycling and composting by the year 2020.
Assembly Bill 1826
Adopted in 2014, Assembly Bill 1826 (Mandatory Commercial Organ ics Recycling) requires businesses that generate organic waste materials (including food, soiled paper, yard trimmings, landscape and pruning waste, and clean wood waste) to separate the material for composting. As of January 1, 2020, composting is mandato ry for all businesses that generate two or more cubic yards of waste per week. Per AB 341, recycling is mandatory for all businesses that generate four or more cubic yards of waste per week.
RELATIONSHIP TO COMMUNITY VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES The C CS Element most closely furthers the following Napa Community Vision and Guiding Principles:
Guiding Principle 3: Balance local and tourism needs.
Guiding Principle 5: Foster connections to nature and open space.
Guiding Principle 6: Emphasize environmental sustainability.
6.2 Climate Change and GHG Reduction
Climate change refers to a change in the average global climate that may affect wind patterns, storms, precipitation, and temperature. The term “global warming” is often used interchangeably with “climate change,” although global warming refers specifically to an average increase in the temperature of the atmosphere. Global warming leads to the multiple impacts of climate change.
GHGs are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere , and by doing so, regulate the earth’s temperature. This effect, known as the Gr eenhouse Effect, is responsible for maintaining a habitable climate. GHGs are released into the earth’s atmosphere through a variety of natural processes and human activities. Historically, the climate has been through various warming and cooling cycles, but the current period of global warming is widely attributed to a buildup of GHG emissions from human -made sources that have proliferated and accelerated since the age of Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
industrialization. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, it is virtually certain that global temperatures will continue to increase in the future, raising broad concern about the effects of temperature change on the Earth’s climate.23 Potential risks from a warming climate include rising sea levels, intense drought and flooding conditions, changing precipitation patterns, expanding desertification, increased wildfire risks, and significant temperature swings.
Even though climate change is a worldwide phenomenon, impacts are felt locally. Sea -level rise can impact tides and lead to rising water levels in the Napa River, potentially causing more severe flooding impacts to areas that have not previously been impacted. Rising temperat ures, more intense drought conditions, an increase in soil temperatures, and other changes in climate can result in increased wildfire risk and have a negative effect on viticulture throughout Napa Valley.
In 2009, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified six key well-mixed GHGs in the atmosphere that threaten public health and welfare of current and future generations: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N 2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur he xafluoride (SF6). These GHGs are regulated by EPA under the federal Clean Air Act and are tracked from global to local levels. The standard method for reporting and analyzing GHGs is the Global Warming Potential (GWP) methodology developed by IPCC that scales all GHG emissions in terms of CO2 equivalent (CO2e). This scale compares the mass of each gas to the same mass of CO2, which has a GWP of 1.0 by definition. Table 6-1 below lists the GWP of relevant GHGs, their lifetimes, and abundances in the atmosphere.
Table 6-1. Atmospheric Lifetimes and Global Warming Potentials of Key Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse Gases GWP (100 years) Lifetime (years) 2020 Atmospheric Abundance CO2 1 50–200 412.4 ppm
CH4 25 9–15 1,879.1 ppb
N2O 298 121 333.0 ppb
HFC-23 14,800 222 18 ppt*
HFC-134a 1,430 13.4 110 ppt
HFC-152a 124 1.5 3.9 ppt*
SF6 22,800 3,200 10.27 ppt
*Most current data is from 2014.
ppt = parts per trillion
ppb = parts per billion.
ppm = parts per million.
Sources: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2014; Myhre et al. 2013; Blasing 2016; NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, 2021.
23 IPCC. 2021. Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press. Available:
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-i/.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
In 2005, the City prepared a local GHG inventory, which quantified all GHG emissions and sinks (a process, activity, or mechanism that removes GHGs from the atmosphere) within the City. This inventory found that total emissions for 2005 were 455,062 metric tons of CO 2e, (MT CO 2e) primarily attributed to transportation sources (such as vehicle exhaust) and building operations (due to energy demand, solid waste generation, and water usage). Emissions by sector from the 2005 GHG inventory are detailed in Table 6-2.
Table 6-2. City of Napa 2005 Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (metric tons CO2e)
Emissions Sector 2005 Emissions
(metric tons)
Percent of 2005
Emissions
2020 Emissions
(metric tons)
Residential Buildings 106,003 23% 117,765
Commercial & Industrial Buildings 71,120 16% 85,279
Transportation 221,901 49% 277,777
Lawn & Garden Equipment 2,109 <1% 2,343
Construction & Industrial/Commercial
Equipment
24,277 5% 29,110
Agriculture/Farming 286 <1% 286
Solid Waste 29,366 6% 32,011
Total 455,062 100% 544,571
Population 74,499 79,278
Emissions per Capita 6.1 6.9
Sources: Napa County Transportation & Planning Agency, Napa Countywide Community Climate Action Framework, Community Review Draft, 2009; California Department of Finance, 2012-2020.
In order to meet statewide GHG emissions reductions targets established by various State legislations including EO B -55-18, EO S -3-05, and SB 32, CARB’s Scoping Plan provides guidance for local communities to remain consistent with these goals. According to the Scoping Plan, local agencies should target total emissions of no more than 6.0 MT CO 2e per capita by 2030 and no more than 2.0 MT CO 2e per capita by 2050. A 2040 target of 4.0 MT CO2e per capita can be interpolated using a linear trajectory in emissions reduction between 2030 and 2050.
As shown in Table 6-2 above, total emissions in the City of Napa are estimated to be about 544,571 MT CO2e in 2020, which corresponds to 6.9 MT CO2e per capita. This means that, notwithstanding efforts undertaken in the City since 2005 to reduce GHG emissions, such emissions have increased on a per capita basis, and the City will need to r evise this trend the City of Napa will have to continue to reduce its emissions in order to meet the target of 6.0 MT CO 2e per capita by 2030 and comply with statewide goals.
The City seeks City’s goal is to be a leader in combating climate change through policies and approaches to reduce its climate impact. Adopting this element is intended to reflect a clear commitment from the City to wards taking the necessary steps to advance the global climate change agenda at the local level. Developing strategies to reduce GHG emissions associated with City operations and partnering with other jurisdictions and departments are key elements to Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
achieving this v ision. While the City government can be a leader in sustainability and climate change, reducing GHG emissions at a citywide scale will also require partnerships with businesses and other organizations, and changes in individual behavior . Incorporating sust ainable building practices and reducing vehicle emissions are direct ways Napa residents can contribute to reducing their environmental impacts.
6.3 Land Use and Mobility
The layout and distribution of land uses within a city , and the ways that residents and visitors travel between these uses, are key contributing factors towards urban GHG emissions. Changing high-emission land use and mobility patterns, therefore, is key to reducing Napa’s carbon footprint and reversing climate change. According to CARB, the transportation sector accounts for well over half of the emissions that contribute to ozone and particulate matter and nearly 40 percent of the GHG emissions in California. Fossil fuel burning vehicles, particularly single - occupancy vehicles, are a major contributor to these emissions. People who live in an auto-centric community are often limited to driving to access their job, goods, services, and schools. While the use of electric or zero -emission vehicles helps to reduce GHG exhaust when c ompared to fossil fuel engines, these vehicles still contribute to traffic and congestion of roadways.
Human behavior and wealth largely dictate travel choices: If driving an automobile is within financial reach and required to get around, then it will be the primary choice for travel. Most American cities have been designed to accommodate the automobile , which makes it the most convenient method for accessing needed goods and services. However, those who are not able to afford or do not desire to own an au tomobile, and those that are not capable of driving (such as seniors, children, and people with disabilities), are often left with limited options for accessing services. Creating communities that incorporate alternative and more sustainable modes of transportation (such as walking, biking, or taking transit) that conveniently link residents to goods and services can create a healthier and more equitable city in addition to reducing GHG emissions and the effects of climate change.
People who live within wa lking distance of everyday goods and services, such as grocery stores, daycares, and restaurants, are more likely to walk to these destinations instead of drive. Similarly, if sidewalks and pedestrian safety are improved, bicycle lanes are safe and connected, and taking transit is easy to understand and use, then more people would be inclined to take these forms of transportation.
Chapter 2: Land Use and Community Design and Chapter 3: Transportation contain extensive sets of goals and policies to reduce N apa’s dependency on the automobile and encourage walkable and connected development patterns, which will help to reduce GHG emissions from automobiles.
6.4 Sustainable Built and Natural Environments
Sustainability measures should be implemented at all levels of the built and natural environment in order to have a significant effect upon reducingreduce the adverse impacts of climate change.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Buildings and infrastructure can should be designed to incorporate conservation and sustainability features that make them more resilient to the impacts of climate change .
Incorporating natural sustainability measures into the built environment can will also help mitigate the severity of climate change by introducing more greenery and natural habitat into the City, and reducing gray infrastructure construction and lifecycle costs. This section summarizes six aspects of the built and natural environment that can incorporate sustainability measures to create a more resilient Napa when and to confronting climate change impacts.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Green infrastructure is the use of open spaces, permeable pavement, street tree rain gardens, and other natural approaches to capture , infiltrate, and reuse rainwater. As opposed to single - purpose gray stormwater infrastructure —conventional piped drainage and water treatment systems designed to move urban stormwater away from the built environment —which is designed to move urban stormwa ter away from the built environment, green infrastructure manages excess stormwater flows by incorporating them into the existing environment in a more natural and sustainable way, thus reducing strain on infrastructure while delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits.24
In urban areas, when rain falls on non -pervious surfaces like roofs, concrete patios, streets, and parking lots, th e water cannot soak into the ground and must be channeled somewhere else — either through the City’s stormwater sewer system, or naturally into creeks—to prevent flooding.
As stormwater flows towards a storm drain or water body, it collects pollutants from roads and other sources that can then contaminate major waterways such as the Napa River. During heavy rain events, an excess of non-pervious surfaces can cause flooding, as there is less exposed soil to absorb stormwater. Incorporating green infrastructure in urban and natural areas can will help reduce these impacts by slowing down and storing water flow, while using plants and soil to help naturally clean and filter the rainwater before it is channeled elsewhere.
There are a variety of green infrastructure strategies that can be woven into a community, ranging from small -scale improvements on individual buildings and streets , to large -scale systems like waterways, open space, and street networks. Green infrastructure strategies include rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, bioswales, planter boxes, permeable pavers, street trees and vegetation, and green streets, parking lots, and roofs. The General Plan supports promotes usage of green infrastructure strategies to help promote create a healthier and sustainable urban environment.
SOLID WASTE RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION
A key component of sustainability and combating climate change is reducing physical waste production by recycling materials when possible, and by composting organic materials. When not properly composted, organic material in landfills decomposes and produces a natural byproduct called landfill gas (LFG). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), LFG is composed of roughly 50 percent methane (the primary component of natural gas), 50 percent carbon dioxi de (CO 2) and a small amount of non -methane organic compounds. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas 28 to 36 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere
24 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “What is Green Infrastructure?”. Accessed via web 5/2021. https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
over a 100-year periodx, making it a significant contributor to wards global warming and climate change.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are the third -largest source of human -related methane emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 15.1 percent of these emissions in 2019.25 In 2019, methane emissions from MSW landf ills were approximately equivalent to the GHG emissions from more than 21.6 million passenger vehicles driven for one year , or the CO 2 emissions from nearly 12.0 million homes’ energy use in the same time period .26 Methane emissions from MSW landfills currently represent a lost opportunity to capture and use a significant energy resource which is available to the landfill operator and local jurisdiction. There are no landfills located within the City of Napa; most landfill waste generated in the City is transferred to the Potrero Hills Landfill in Solano County.
Recycling and solid waste services in Napa are currently handled by the City’s Solid Waste and Recycling Division (SWRD). The City owns the Napa Recycling and Composting Facility , which is operated by a contractor, Napa Recycling and Waste Services, LLC (NRWS) . NRWS owns and maintains the trucks that collect municipal solid waste, recyclables, and compostable materials.
Since the SWRD provides recycling and solid waste services to both the City government and the community, it plays a dual role of seeking to reduce solid waste in City operations , as well to implement policies that reduce solid waste in the community at -large. From a City government perspective, emissions from solid waste accounted for less than three percent of the City’s total 2010 GHG emissions, but this relatively small number can have a large impact given the harmful gases that are released in the form of LFG. The SWRD provides the infrastructure and support to implement the City’s Disposal Reduction Policy and meet the City’s and State’s mutual goal of diverting waste from landfills.
The concept of “zero waste” is frequently discussed in progressive waste management operations, and is commonly thought to be achieved when the landfill diversion rate is greater than 90 percent. A diversion rate is the percentage of waste materials that are diverted from a landfill and recycled, composted, or re-used instead. The General Plan supports promotes efforts to achieve a high diversion rate over the next few years and maintain one it throughout 2040. In Napa, the SWRD has already instituted multiple programs and policies that have brought the City and the community closer to zero waste as an attainable objective, including the Disposal Reduction policy, which establishes established a goal of 75 percent diversion or greater. These programs and policies are outlined in the Napa Sustainability Plan for both City and household practices. xx
WATER USE EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION
With drought conditions lasting longer throughout California and likely worsening due to climate change, using water efficiently and conserving it when possible is critical to achieving a healthy, livable, sustainable, and resilient community. The City operates three water treatment facilities ,
25 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Landfill Methane Outreach Program” Accessed via web 5/2021. https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas 26 Ibid.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
providing safe and reliable water to more than 86,000 people in the City and adjacent areas. The City’s water is derived from three sources: Lake Hennessey, Milliken Reservoir, and the State Water Project (SWP); most of the City’s local water is received through the SWP allotment. During peak summer demand, all three sources are tapped , and the associated water treatment plants run at near-full capacity. The City currently does not rely on groundwater for potable water needs.
There are two key factors affecting the City’s water demand that are outside of the City’s control – individual usage and the region’s Mediterranean climate. The climate, normally characterized by hot dry summers and cool moist winters , can cause considerable swings in water demand between July and January. This fluctuation is primarily driven by landscape irrigation needs that represent more than half of the City’s annual water demand – needs that could partially be met by using recycled water, as supported by the General Plan. In recent years, unpredictable weather patterns have made it particularly difficult to plan for, or adjust to, changing conditions. Over the horizon of the General Plan , the climate may play an increasingly impactful role on water usage and will require close attention.
Water conservation protects a precious natural resource, reduces wear and t ear of City infrastructure and treatment facilities, and decreases the amount of energy needed to pump and treat water. In 2010, 20 percent of the electricity consumed to support all City operations was used to treat and transport water. The General Plan supports promotes continuing efforts to reduce water consumption to promote maintain a resilient water supply , and encourage responsible and sustainable water usage throughout the City.
ENERGY GENERATION AND SECURITY
The relationship between w ildfires, clim ate change, and energy security presents a complex problem in Napa, and throughout California. High temperatures, extreme dryness , and record- high wind speeds have combined to create unprecedented wildfire risks in California. These conditions are likely to worsen due to climate change impacts over the next 20 years. Wildfires can be caused by several sources , including downed electrical transmission lines, which was the cause of the 2019 Kincade Fire in Sonoma County that burned over 77,000 acres of land.
To reduce the risk of such wildfires, the energy provider Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has instituted Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) when the weather forecast indicates that people’s safety, lives, homes, and businesses may be in danger. As the City relies on PG&E for its gas and electrical needs, Napa residents can be affected by PSPS, including power outages during extreme weather conditions. The General Plan supports contains policies to help ensure that Napa residents have acces s to power even during PSPS and other power outages. Supplementing energy provided by PG&E with local, sustainably -produced electricity is one method to improve energy security and resiliency.
According to the City’s most recent GHG inventory conducted in 2005, e nergy consumed in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings accounted for 39 percent of Napa’s total GHG emissions in 2005 with another 50 percent of total emissions from transportation uses. While this is a significant portion of Napa’s ov erall emissions, reducing energy in demand from new and existing buildings is one of the most cost -effective strategies for lowering GHGs, as the cost of upgrades and retrofits can be offset by energy savings realized over time. Managing energy Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
consumption in facilities that are owned and operated by the City is a key component to reducing GHG emissions by reducing e nergy used to power City facilities, parks, streetlights, and traffic signals, manage stormwater, and treat and transport water.
To reduce energy consumption in existing buildings, programs have been developed by PG&E, the City, State agencies, the federal government, and other entities that offer rebates and incentives on energy efficient products, home energy audits, and other energy-saving measures. Although there is not yet widespread community participation in these programs, as energy prices rise, homeowners and business owners may recognize opportunities to save energy and money by taking advantage of these programs.
Napa is part of the Ma rin Clean Energy (MCE) Community Choice Aggregation program , which offers an opportunity for Bay Area communities to choose renewable electricity options. Property owners in Napa, Marin, Solano, and Contra Costa counties can sign up through MCE to receive sustainably produced electricity from renewable resources, like solar, wind, bioenergy, small hydroelectric, and geothermal heat. While MCE offers a sustainable choice in energy generation, electricity is provided through the PG&E grid, making it susceptib le to PSPS blackouts.
Incorporating a City or community-wide microgrid system into the City infrastructure would help reduce impacts from PSPS blackouts.
Callout box: What is a Microgrid?
A microgrid is a local electricity transmission grid that has control capability, meaning that it can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously. The energy grid is a system of electrical cables and infrastructure that connects homes, businesses, City resources, and other buildings to central power sources which allow us to use appliances, heating/cooling systems, lights, and electronics. However, this interconnectedness means that when part of the grid needs to be repaired or is shut down due to public safety reasons, everyone is affected.
This is where a microgrid can help : A microgrid generally operates while connected to the main grid, but importantly, it can disconnect and operate on its own by using local energy generation in times of crisis, such as storms, power outages, and other reasons. A microgrid can be powered by distributed generators, batteries, and/or renewable resources like solar panels. Depending on how it is fueled and how its requirements are managed, a microgrid might run indefinitely. Integrating microgrids into the larger electricity grid can help meet the sustainability goals of a community while having a more secure and resilient energy network.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy. “How Microgrids Work.” Accessed via web 5/2021. https://www.energy.gov/articles/how-microgrids-work
GREEN BUILDING
There are also a number of building standards aimed at reducing energy consumption. CALGreen serves as the basis for the design and construction of buildings in California. Title 24 is the section of CALGreen focused on energy efficiency standards for residential and non-residential buildings.
The latest iteration of California Title 24, Part 6, went into effect Jan. 1, 2020, and re quires that Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
all new buildings achieve Net Zero Energy (NZE) levels by 2020 for residences and 2030 for commercial buildings. Title 24 governs building standards relating to energy use, including building envelope measures, mechanical systems, and process power loads, as well as indoor and outdoor lighting (governed by Section 130 of Part 6). Along with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air -Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1 and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), Title 24, Part 6, these regulatory schemes comprise California’s three major systems for measuring and controlling buildings’ energy performance.
For green buildings and energy consumption, NZE means that a building generates enough electricity to offset other energy uses over the course of a year, resulting in a net zero energy usage. Most of the time, these buildings are connected to a larger electric grid to gain extra energy when needed, or to sell excess energy back into the grid when not needed. “Net positive” is similar to net zero, but refers to even more stringent energy efficiency: Over the course of the year, a net positive building generates more electricity than it uses, therefore sending additional electricity back into the grid for oth er users. The General Plan supports promotes efforts to develop new, sustainable buildings in correspondence with CALGreen building codes to reduce energy demand, promote resource conservation through improved building design , and encourage existing buildings to adapt to these sustainability practices. Building standards and regulations are addressed in the Napa Municipal Code Title 15, with amendments to the CALGreen building code under Section 15.04.090. Taking these actions will reduce GHG emissions from buildings and help Napa fight the impacts and severity of climate change.
URBAN FOREST
The City’s urban forest—Napa’s public and private trees—provides a variety of critical ecosystem services, myriad environmental and public health benefits, and a key to combating the impacts and severity of climate change. However, trees in cities face a variety of threats that can reduce these benefits , such as drought or conflicts with grey infrastructure, and can increase expenditures for pruning, removal, and replacement. In order to establish and maintain the many benefits provided by an urban forest, a community's trees need to be well planned for and managed over the long term. Unlike most other urban infrastructure, the value of the urban forest generally increases over time.
Environmental benefits of the City’s urban forest include:27 • Improved Air Quality. Urban forests improve air quality by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and absorbing air pollutants. Trees can directly sequester carbon dioxide as woody and foliar biomass while they grow.
• Improved Water Quality. Urban forests reduce stormwater runoff, thereby slowing the flow of pollutants into streams, lakes, and oceans. As a result, water runoff from storms can be more readily absorbed by soil.
27 U.S. Forest Service. Research Topics: Value of Urban Forests. Accessed via web July 2021. https://www.fs.fed.us/psw/topics/urban_forestry/research/index.shtml Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
• Reduced Energy Use . Healthy urban forests have the ability to cut h eating and air conditioning use, resulting in reduced costs and lower atmospheric emissions from power plants. Tree shade reduces air temperature and the amount of radiant energy absorbed and stored by built surfaces. Additionally, trees reduce the velocit y of wind, slowing the infiltration of outside air. Research shows that properly selected, located, and managed trees can drastically reduce City and residential energy costs and lessen our reliance on new power plants.
• Provide Habitat for Wildlife . Both urban and suburban vegetation have the capacity to provide habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. This is important due to the role birds and other wildlife play in their contribution to ecosystem functioning. • Reduced Heat Island Effect . An urban forest can mitigate the urban heat island effect through evapotranspiration and by providing shade.
Callout box: What is the heat island effect?
The heat island effect is a phenomenon where urbanized areas experience higher temperatures than outlying areas. Structures such as buildings, roads, and other built infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as fore sts and water bodies. Urban areas, where these structures are highly concentrated and greenery is limited, become “islands” of higher temperatures relative to outlying areas. Daytime temperatures in urban areas are about 1–7°F higher than temperatures in o utlying areas, and nighttime temperatures are about 2 -5°F higher.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Heat Island Effect.” Accessed via web July 2021. https://www.epa.gov/heatislands and https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/learn-about-heat- islands
In addition to the health benefits realized through the protection and promotion of the environment, urban forests also create more livable cities by supporting a number of other public benefits: improved physical and mental health of residents, increased social interaction, economic sustainability, and even the reduction of crime and public safety.28 In the built environment, trees can be used as part of NZE building design by helping regulate indoor temperatures, thus reducing energy costs associated with air conditioning. Trees also provide shade along streets and sidewalks, which reduce s ambient temperatures in the City while providing a comfortable environment for pedestrians and bicyclists. The urban for est can play a role in meeting carbon reduction mandates required by the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. In short, trees can improve the environment, human health, and quality of life in urban environments for both Napa residents and visitors.
28 University of Washington. Green Cities: Good Health. Accessed via web July 2021. http://depts.washington.edu/hhwb/
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
The City has long been committed to fostering a strong tree canopy, and has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA since 1990. There are several City ordinances that protect both public and private trees : These regulations are in cluded in Napa’s Street Tree, Protected Native Tree, and Significant Tree Programs. The Parks, Recreation & Trees Advisory Commission works with City staff and advises the City Council on all issues involving trees, both public and private, throughout the community.
Information on urban forest structure, function, and value can inform planning and management.
Managing the City’s urban forest to be healthy and resilient requires a clear understanding of current conditions and threats – as such, the General Plan calls for the preparation of it is recommended that an Urban Forestry Master Plan be developed. The General Planand includes policies for urban forestry that are designed to further the development of a healthy urban forest, and promote sustainability, human comfort, public health , and well-being. Napa’s existing tree canopy (2016) covers about 22 percent of the community and is shown in Figure 6-1. This figure uses data from the United States Forest Service (USFS) to map areas that do not have sufficient tree coverage. A long-term tree canopy coverage goal will be established as part of an the Urban Forestry Master Plan.
Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
Figure 6 -1
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
6.5 Goals and Policies
Goals and policies that seek to reduce the City’s contribution to global climate change and the City’s vulnerability to climate change impacts are outlined below and organized into topics. While the following goals and policies relate to reducing/adapting to the impacts and severity of climate change, other elements throughout the General Plan incorporate sustainable practices as part of the City’s commitment to a sustainable future. Chapter 2: Land Use and Community Design, Chapter 3: Transportation, and Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation provide f urther direction on their respective topics . Appendix A contains “implementing programs” intended to implement the goals and policies in this section.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREENHOUSE GASES (GHG) REDUCTION
GOAL CCS-1: Further the City’s sustainability initiatives to reduce the community’s GHG emissions, and foster green development patterns – including buildings, sites, and landscapes.
CCS 1-1 Seek to achieveImplement immediate and sustained actions in support of achieving net zero climate pollutants from public and private operations within the City by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2040, which is five years sooner than what is established under Executive Order B-55-18.
CCS 1-2 The City should leadEnsure that the City leads by example in managing its local government operations to reduce GHG emissions and promote sustainable environmental practices. Components of this strategy may include:
• Develop Developing plans for the reduction elimination of fossil fuel consumption through all aspects of local government operations, including construction, purchasing, and ongoing operations.
• Require Requiring new or substantially renovated municipal facilities to achieve zero net energy and ultra-low water consumption, incorporate cost-effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy and water, and utilizing sustainable construction practices.
• Reduce Reducing solid waste from City operations.
• Allocating staff resources to provide oversight of CC&S goals and policies.
CCS 1-3 Partner with local, regional, and County agencies and utility companies to achieve GHG reduction targets. Efforts for this include:
• Support local efforts to market programs, and conduct community outreach through schools, non-profit groups, community organizations, and the business community to increase participation in GHG reduction efforts.
Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
• Partner with the Napa Valley Unified School District, private schools, community-based non-profit organizations, and others to undertake public outreach and education efforts that broaden community involvement in reducing GHG emissions.
• Foster and build public/private partnerships that help achieve greater energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.
CCS 1-4 Expand local awareness of actions that residents and businesses can take to reduce climate impacts. Actively seek grants, and continue to provide community outreach and robust education through partnership opportunities with City residents. Develop an open data Community Climate Dashboard to engage residents in progress and accomplishments toward goals.
CCS 1-5 Work collaboratively with regional agencies and other partners to develop a Climate Action Plan to address the GHG reduction goals of Executive Order B-55- 18, Senate Bill 32, and Executive Order S-03-05, and City of Napa Resolution R2022-030.
The Climate Action Plan could serve as a Qualified GHG Reduction Strategy to ensure that the City is in compliance with State targets for GHG emissions.
LAND USE AND MOBILITY
GOAL CCS-2: Promote Napa as a network of interconnected neighborhoods with compact, walkable development patterns that are integrated with a sustainable mobility system that emphasizes walking, biking, or taking transit.
CCS 2-1 Support programs to reduce auto-dependency and GHG emissions from personal vehicles. Efforts for this include:
• Establish regulations to limit expansion of fossil fuel service stations and uses of drive-through windows, including limitations on drive-through restaurants. • Initiate programs that encourage car-free tourism through incentives, outreach, awareness, and by creating a bicycle and pedestrian-friendly environment. • Establish programs to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), such as transportation demand management.
• Support the expansion of Park and Ride areas and other support facilities to encourage use of public transportation, including Napa Valley Transportation Authority’s (NVTA) on-demand service, and car and van pooling. Expand programs that encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and support programs that encourage transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs).
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
• Support programs to install bike racks in new developments, commercial areas, and within Downtown Napa and the Oxbow district.
CCS 2-2 Promote increased transit service and ridership in Napa and connections with County transit services, including by implementing transportation plans in accordance with the NVTA Countywide Transportation Plan.
CCS 2-3 Study options to transitionEstablish a schedule for transitioning the City’s vehicle fleet, starting with small and mid-size vehicles, to vehicles that are 100 percent electric or powered by clean, renewable energy.
CCS 2-4 Support programs that help businesses and organizations switch from fossil fuel- powered fleet vehicles to vehicles powered by clean, renewable energy sources.
CCS 2-5 Establish programs for the public street system to reduce VMT and promote more sustainable modes of transportation. Consider VMT and alternative modes of transportation in the design of street extensions, connections, and right-of- way controls at intersections, and when monitoring and adjusting traffic signals.
CCS 2-6 Encourage alternatives to City employees’ use of single-occupancy vehicles by providing bicycle racks, preferential parking permits for carpools and vanpools, commuter information, and other incentives.
SUSTAINABLE BUILT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
Green Infrastructure
GOAL CCS-3: Promote cost-effective, natural methods to improve the City’s infrastructure and resilience to climate change, while
furthering Napa’s goal of a healthier and more sustainable urban environment.
CCS 3-1 Study and incorporateIncorporate green infrastructure practices to reduce pollution runoff into the Napa River, reduce stress on stormwater systems, recharge underground aquifers, and reduce urban heat island effects, while promoting greenery in the community.
CCS 3-2 Require stormwater management techniques that minimize surface water runoff in public and private developments. Utilize low impact development techniques such as bioswales and other best management practices to manage stormwater.
Promote technologically advanced stormwater management systems and practices where land area is limited.
CCS 3-3 Install a BioEnergy system at the City of Napa Materials Diversion Facility to reduce solid waste generation and produce renewable energy through the conversion of biomass.
Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
CCS 3-4 Develop standards for, and encourage, recycled (grey) water use and stormwater capture systems in new and existing developments, and in areas that do not impact groundwater quality.
Solid Waste Recycling and Waste Reduction
GOAL CCS-4: Further the City’s Solid Waste & Recycling Division goals to promote recycling, composting, and source reduction services for residential and commercial uses to divert 75 percent (or more) of waste from landfills by 2035 and maintain diversion at 75 percent or greater through 2040.
CCS 4-1 Create and support other programs, such as the Napa County Green Business Program and the green restaurant program, that help achieve the 75 percent or greater overall waste diversion goal. Recognize and incentivize commercial recycling and waste diversion including elimination of non-recyclable and non-compostable takeout ware.
CCS 4-2 Establish a comprehensive, user-friendly recycling program that involves all City operations. Recover 75 percent to 85 percent of all waste generated at City operations.
CCS 4-3 Continue to develop a zero waste strategy for City operations and for permitted events.
CCS 4-4 Use organic waste (green waste, food waste, agriculture waste, and timber waste) for energy production.
Water Use Efficiency and Conservation
GOAL CCS-5: Ensure that Napa residents are prepared for climate change-induced drought conditions by reducing water consumption and promoting resilient water supplies.
CCS 5-1 Continue efforts toward water conservation and recycling to meet the City’s SB 606/AB 1668 Urban Water Use Objective (2018 Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life legislation).
Although Napa does not rely on groundwater, and projects adequate water supplies to meet growth needs, ensuring that development does not reach the limits of potential supply would ensure resiliency.
CCS 5-2 Strengthen water conservation measures and water conservation education that result in significant reductions in local water use and the protection of local water resources.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
CCS 5-3 Provide education, technology, and financial incentives to promote efficient indoor and outdoor residential water use, and adoption of best management practices for commercial, industrial, and institutional water users.
CCS 5-4 Strengthen water distribution system operations and leak detection to meet the City’s SB 555 Water Loss Performance Standard of 20% reduction in urban per capita water use.
CCS 5-5 Support expansion of the Napa Sanitation District’s recycled water service within the City’s service territory and explore options to use reclaimed and recycled water for any necessary irrigation of public parks and greenbelts.
CCS 5-6 Continue to reduce energy use by promoting domestic water conservation and requiring water-efficient landscape improvements associated with new construction.
CCS 5-7 Encourage responsible and sustainable agricultural and landscaping practices.
CCS 5-8 Promote a program to encourage neighborhood tree planting and water-efficient landscaping or xeriscaping strategies.
CCS 5-8CCS 5-9 Promote initiatives to establish infrastructure for potable recycled water.
Energy Generation and Security
GOAL CCS-6: Considering power shutdowns that affect the Napa community, promote sustainable energy generation practices and further develop energy security that is resilient to wildfire and related climate disasters.
CCS 6-1 Establish programs to evaluate new projects on their contribution to community resiliency toward climate disasters.
CCS 6-2 Promote renewable energy generation and storage to decrease reliance on outside sources, and minimize impacts from public safety power shutdowns.
CCS 6-3 Incentivize solar panel deployment beyond the State’s mandates. Establish guidance regarding the placement of solar panels to minimize impacts to aesthetic resources.
CCS 6-4 Promote renewable energy generation on City-owned sites and the deployment of micro-grids for energy independence and lifeline operations in the event of power shutdowns.
CCS 6-5 Evaluate technologies to reduce reliance on fossil fuel-powered backup generators and study programs to transition to more climate-friendly options— Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
including battery storage, solar-powered generators, and small-scale wind turbines—in appropriate areas.
CCS 6-6 Adopt renewable energy production standards for the City based on quantifiable measures that increase per capita renewable generation levels.
GOAL CCS-7: Implement programs and work with jurisdictional partners to increase sustainable energy production and energy security.
CCS 7-1 Pursue State, regional, and federal funding programs designed to reduce energy demand through conservation and efficiency.
CCS 7-2 Conduct audits, and regularly monitor the effectiveness of City and County energy efficiency implementation measures and adapt them to meet targets.
CCS 7-3 In support of countywide energy generation efforts, increase local renewable energy generation.
CCS 7-4 Promote alternative modes of electricity generation—such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and hydroelectric—and invest in electric storage infrastructure at the citywide level.
CCS 7-5 Promote alternative modes of electricity generation on City-owned lands.
CCS 7-6 Partner with the County of Napa to implement an AB 811 program that makes funding available to residential and commercial property owners seeking to improve their properties to conserve energy and water, and/or install solar systems to generate solar energy.
CCS 7-7 Increase installation of electric vehicle charging stations with funding from State and federal sources.
CCS 7-8 Convert street lighting, water pumping, water treatment, and other energy- intensive operations to more efficient technologies.
CCS 7-9 Work with the Pacific Gas & Electric Company and the California Public Utilities Commission on undergrounding utilities, with goals to reduce fire risk, modernize the cable network, minimize network downtime, and reduce the range of electromagnetic fields.
CCS 7-10 Incentivize the use of on-site renewable energy generation for new and existing buildings.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Green Building
GOAL CCS-8: Support the City’s vision of a sustainable community by promoting efforts to reduce energy demand, reduce GHG emissions, and resource conservationconserve resources through improved building design.
CCS 8-1 Support use of the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) to reduce energy demand and promote resource conservation through improved building design. Encourage existing buildings to adapt to CALGreen sustainability practices.
CCS 8-2 Seek to incorporateIncorporate net zero energy or net positive design in City- owned new and renovated buildings.
CCS 8-3 Encourage roofing design and surface treatments (e.g., “cool roofs”) that reduce the heat island effect of new development, and support reduced energy use, reduced air pollution, and a healthy urban forest. Connect businesses and residents with cool roof rebate programs for new and retrofitted roofs through City outreach efforts.
Urban Forest
GOAL CCS-9: Celebrate Napa as a Tree City USA and focus efforts to maintain and expand the urban forest.
CCS 9-1 Support development of a Citywide Urban Forest Master Plan, or similar document, to provide detailed information, recommendations, and timelines to effectively manage and grow the City’s tree canopy.
CCS 9-2 Prioritize planting trees in areas identified in the Urban Forest Master Plan in order to maximize the benefits of urban heat island reduction, and pedestrian and bicyclist shade and comfort.
CCS 9-3 Assess locations that would benefit from additional tree coverage and greenery, such as historically marginalized, tree deficient, or neighborhoods with vulnerable populations to provide buffering from air and noise pollution.
CCS 9-4 Utilize trees and vegetation as part of green infrastructure strategies along major roadways and areas with large impervious pavement surfaces to slow rainwater discharge in the Napa River watershed, provide flood-hazard reduction benefits, and help clean the stormwater.
CCS 9-5 Develop a program to finance, manage, and expand the City's street tree canopy as a valuable ecological and public health resource, especially along key corridors with potentially less coverage. Future study areas for a Citywide Urban Forest Master Plan include: Lincoln Avenue between Jefferson Street and Soscol Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability
Avenue, Jefferson Street between Claremont Way and Pueblo Avenue, and Soscol Avenue between Lincoln Avenue and Third Street. See Figure 6-1 and Chapter 9: Public Health and Equity for additional information.
GOAL CCS-10: Promote efforts to educate property owners, businesses, and residents about the benefits of trees.
CCS 10-1 Support and promote the Napa Green Certified Winery Program and the Napa Green Certified Land Vineyard Program.
CCS 10-2 Recognize the importance and benefits of maintaining and improving the City’s urban forest, including community, environmental, and economic ben efits that range from increasing property values to providing ecological services such as stormwater mitigation, air pollutant removal, and carbon sequestration.
CCS 10-3 Identify Arbor Day and other community engagement strategies/partnerships to increase citizen awareness and participation in urban forestry management.
GOAL CCS-11: Support efforts for carbon sequestration to help mitigate and reverse the impacts and severity of global warming.
CCS 11-1 Assess the impact of land use changes, new open space, agriculture, tree planting, and urban development on carbon sequestration.
CCS 11-2 Work with the Napa County Resource Conservation District and other local organizations to develop a program for increasing the amount of carbon sequestered in Napa’s parks, open space, and riparian areas.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
7 Natural Resources Conservation
Napa Valley is endowed with a rich array of natural resources, including the Napa River and other waterways; wetlands including the vast Napa Marsh; and woodland, grassland, and chaparral that provide habitats for a wide range of plant and animal life. These resources are vital components of the City’s setting and identity. Protecting these natural resources is a high priority for residents.
While the majority of the City has been developed , and many of the existing natural resources have been preserved, this General Plan outlines policies to ensure that these resources remain vibrant and sustainable.
7.1 Background and Purpose
The Natural Resources Conservation (NRC) Element seeks to protect the City’s natural resources— water, vegetation, wildlife, open space, and air —to improve the quality of life and overall environmental well-being of the community.
The NRC Element has connections to other elements of the General Plan, including the discussion and policies regarding water supply, conservation, urban forest, and recycling included in the Climate Change and Sustainability Element; and the discussion and policies regarding parks, facilities, trails, and water supply covered in the Community Services, Parks, and Recreation Element. Napa’s urban forest is also addressed in Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability and Chapter 9: Public Health and Equity. Goals and policies that will form the basis of the Natural Resources Conservation Element in the General Plan are provided in Section 7.5.
RELATIONSHIP TO COMMUNITY VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES The NRC Element most closely furthers the following Napa Commu nity Vision and Guiding Principles:
Guiding Principle 5: Foster connections to nature and open space.
Guiding Principle 6: Emphasize environmental sustainability. “Foster connections to nature and open space” speaks to connections between urban and natural systems not only within the City, but also open spaces and conservation areas that extend beyond the City Limits and the City’s Rural Urban Line (RUL).
“Emphasize environmental sustainability” is an intrinsic component of all elements of the General Plan. The very same policies that further sustainable development and natural resource conservation also enhance quality of life and public health, increase energy efficiency, eliminate waste, enhance biological resources, and further other initiatives central to this General Plan.
Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
7.2 Biological Resources and Open Space for Conservation
HABITAT AND WILDLIFE
Biological resources include not only the plants, trees, animals, fish, birds, and microorganisms present in the urban and natural environment around us, but also the water, soil, habitats, and ecosystems that make up the ecological community in which we live. The richer the diversity of life around us, the greater the opportunity for healthy living, economic development, and adaptive responses to new challenges such as climate change.
While the City is largely urbanized, there are four primary habitat types in the Planning Area that are known to be used by sensitive plant, animal, and fish species: Riparian; Aquatic; Wetlands; and Woodland, Grassland, and Chaparral. These habitat types are described in the callout on page 7-4. Since much of the natural habitat within the City has been developed through urban growth, many historical animal and habitat corridors no longer exist , and much of the remaining natural habitat is found in unincorporated Napa County surrounding the City. As such, it is important to conserve and restore the Planning Area’s remaining natural areas —especially along the Napa River and its tributaries—and to respect and protect the wildlife that moves throughout the City.
Figure 7-1 shows the sensitive species and habitats found in Napa; further information can be found in the General Plan’s Environmental Impact Report.
Side Note Box/callout: Habitat Types in Napa
Riparian Habitat. Riparian habitat consists of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and grasses that grow along watercourses that are both year-round and seasonal. Many species depend upon the riparian vegetation along the Napa River and its tributaries for w ater, food, cover, and nesting sites. The vegetation cover shades the waterways and keeps the water temperature within the range necessary for fish breeding and feeding patterns. At one time, a dense canopy of riparian habitat lined the banks of the Napa River, but today most of the remaining vegetation exists only below the tops of the riverbanks. Expanses of rip -rap protecting the banks in the lower third of the river within the City do not support any substantial vegetation ; in other areas , non-native trees have replaced native vegetation.
Aquatic Habitat. Aquatic habitat is found in the waters of the Napa River and its tributaries, and in wetland areas. Aquatic areas provide habitat for plants and animals that live in or on water, and also support wildlife that depend on the aquatic environment for feeding, breeding, and protection. The Napa River and its tributaries provide an important habitat for sport fish, including striped bass, sturgeon, catfish, and carp. The Napa River and its tributaries also provide important migration corridors and spawning habitat for anadromous fish, primarily steelhead.
Wetland Habitat. In general, a wetland is land that is permanently or periodically saturated by water from tidal action, a rise in river flow, rain, or human action. Marshes, bogs, vernal pools, swamps, baylands, and riparian areas are examples of these wetland habitats. Wetlands are of three general types: freshwater emergent wetlands (ponds, creeks , and upper portions of the Napa River); saltwater emergent wetland (found along the edges of sections of the Napa River Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
that are under tidal influence); and seasonal wetlands (seasonal marshes, some creeks, and vernal pools).
Just downstream of Napa, the Napa River broadens and meets the meandering sloughs of the Napa Marsh, a vast (47,000 acre) complex of existing and historic salt marshes. Portions of the Stanly Ranch, the Airport Industrial Area, and other lands south of the City were historically part of this extensive salt marsh, but past filling and flood control projects have greatly reduced its extent.
Because much wetland has already been lost, the enhancement, restoration, rehabilitation, and where practical, expansion of remaining wetland areas i s important. Wetland preservation and maintenance can be designed as part of new development projects and public works projects (e.g., flood control). The already-completed Flood Control Project has substantially improved the habitat in the vicinity.
Woodland, Grassland, and Chaparral Habitat: Grasslands, composed of various annual grasses and herbs, cover much of Napa's remaining undeveloped valley bottomlands, foothills, and south- facing slopes. These areas serve as recharge areas to streams and marshes and provide habitat for wildlife. Grassland vegetation also protects against hillside erosion.
Chaparral is an evergreen vegetation with typically small, leathery leaves; typical species include manzanita, poison oak, and scrub oak. Many animals depend on the chaparral brush and understory shrubs for food and shelter from predators. Chaparral is also important for preserving soil structure, retaining water, and controlling erosion. The vegetation is particularly susceptible to fire and some species depend on fire for regeneration. Development that fronts along woodland, grassland, or chaparral habitat should be aware of these fire risks, try to mitigate fire risk, and prepare for potential wildland fires.
Blue oak and coast oak are the dominant trees on the west-facing eastern foothills and valley oak is found on the valley floor.
The Napa River and the creeks that run through the City are important to the biodiversity of plant and animal species, as well as an extremely valuable amenity for locals. Therefore, the General Plan seeks to continue efforts to restore , maintain, and improve plant and animal habitat, especially along the Napa River and creek corridors.
Habitats and Resource Conservation Regulatory Context
Federal Endangered Species Act
Under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce jointly have the authority to list a species as threatened or endangered (16 U.S.C. § 1533[c]). The ESA protects endangered and threatened species and their habitats by prohibiting the “take” of listed animals , and the interstate or international trade in listed plants and animals—including their parts and products—except under federal permit.
Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 U.S.C. § 703 et seq.) is a federal statute that makes it unlawful “by any means or in any manner, to pursue, hunt, take, capture, [or] kill” any migratory bird or attempt such actions, except as permitted by regulation.
California Fish and Game Code
Under the California Fish and Wildlife Code, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) provides protection from “take” (defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect or attempt to engage in any such conduct”29) to a variety of species, including Fully Protected species. The Native Pl ant Protection Act of 1977 (California Fish and Game Code Sections 1900 et seq.) gives the CDFW the authority to designate State endangered, threatened, and rare plants , and provides specific protection measures for identified populations. The CDFW also protects streams, water bodies, and riparian corridors through the streambed alteration agreement process under Section 1601 to 1606 of the California Fish and Wildlife Code.
California Native Plant Society
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) maintains a list of special-status plant species based on collected scientific information. Designation of these species by the CNPS has no legal status or protection under federal or State endangered species legislation. The CNPS Rare Plant Ranking system ranges from presumed extinct species (California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) 1A ) to limited distribution species now on a watch list CRPR 4.
California Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) Act of 1991 The NCCP Act of 1991, California Fish and Game Code Section 2800 et seq., provides a framework for state and local government —as well as private interest effort —plans that address the protection of regional biodiversity and ecosystems. Natural Community Conservation Plans allow for appropriate, compatible economic activity to occur while ensuring the long-term conservation of multiple species.
29 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2017 ESA Basics. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa- library/pdf/esa_basics.pdf
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Figure 7-1 Sensitive Species and Habitats (Forthcoming, to be inserted when complete)
Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL AREAS
Regional open spaces both within a nd around the City are integral to preserving a healthy, safe city with a strong sense of place. Ensuring that these open spaces are protected and maintained provides a variety of benefits, including preserving wildlife habitats, wetlands, and riparian areas, and lessening flooding impacts . N atural areas also serve an educational function and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. Fostering connectivity along key wildlife migration corridors will further support environmental resilience.
All publicly-owned open spaces within the City are designated as parks or greenbelt and described in Chapter 4 Community Services, Parks and Recreation, and privately -owned open spaces are typically established as Agriculture or Greenbelt designations to retain the n atural character of the site while allowing for economic use. Some of the parks near the edge of the City act as passive open space and natural areas as opposed to urban parks , which do not include , or may include less, habitat area. Figure 7-2 shows land use designations for agriculture, greenbelt, and open space in the General Plan; parks, which are addressed in Chapter 4 : Community Services, Parks and Recreation, are included for reference.
Outside the City Limits, t he open agricultural land s of Napa Valley —America’s premier wine - growing region—are flanked by the Vaca Range and Mayacamas Mountains, providing an open space setting for driving, hiking, or bicycling . Agricultural open space also provides habitat and foraging areas for wildlife.
Some of the major open spaces that are the most prominent and valuable within the Planning Area are described below; Skyline Park is just outside Planning Area but still contributes as open space and natural habitat.
1. Alston Park is located at the north-western edge of the City and has 157 acres of passive open space that is used for walking, hiking, running, biking, horseback riding, and both on- and off-leash dog areas.
2. Trancas Crossing Park is a 33 -acre river landscape that runs along the Napa River. In addition to providing wetland, grassland, and riparian habitat, the park also offers open meadows and trails for visitors to enjoy.
3. J.F. Kennedy Park, at 350 acres, is a major park and open space amenity, with river access, sports parks, and trails. While Kennedy Park is considered an “active park” with sports facilities and fields, it does have natural areas along the Napa River which provide wetland and riparian habitat, including a waterfowl pond at the mouth of Tulocay Creek.
4. The Stanly Ranch area has a few natural areas, including protected riparian and wetlands habitats that are part of the Stanly Ranch South Wetlands Open Space, as well as commercial agriculture landscape that is used for vineyards.
5. The Westwood Hills Park and the nearby Timberhill Park are located on the western edge of the City in Browns Valley and provide 128 acres of hiking and walking trails in a natural setting, as well as woodland, grassland, and chaparral habitat.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
6. South Jefferson Park, comprised of 57 acres of land located at the southern end of Jefferson Street, is anticipated to contain trails and a nature education center to increase local nature access for residents while preserving the open space and natural habitat that currently exists on the site.
7. Skyline Wilderness Park, located within unincorporated Napa County, is a regional open space and natural area that is located on the south -eastern border of the City near the Napa State Hospital. Skyline Wilderness Park is an 850-acre wilderness area that provides natural habitat, hiking, biking, equestrian trails, camping, and access to Lake Marie.
DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS ON PUBLIC LAND
Protecting and enhancing open space and natural resources that are located on public land is an important priority for the City. Chapter 2: Land Use and Community Design describes the location of anticipated development within the Planning Area; new growth is focused along corridors and within existing urbanized areas. Existing publicly-owned parks and open space are maintained as such, as shown in Figure 7-2, and urban development is not anticipated for these areas. As such, there is expected to be very little loss of natural habitat or impacts to natural resources on public lands during this General Plan period.
An increase in new impervious surfaces due to more intensive urban development could affect natural resources by increasing pol luted stormwater runoff that would impact water quality within the Napa River and other waterways. The inclusion of Low Impact Development (LID) and green infrastructure strategies outlined in Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability for new projects, in addition to adherence to the Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and the Napa Countywide Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (NCSPPP), would help to mitigate stormwater runoff.
Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
Figure 7-2 Open Space, Agriculture, and Greenbelt Land (designated in the General Plan)
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
7.3 Air Quality
Clean air is important to community health and quality of life. Air pollution emissions occur daily from a variety of sources in Bay Area communities, including stationary sources (which are single, identifiable sources of air pollution, such as factories) and mobile sources (which are air pollution sources that move, including cars, trucks, marine vessels, farm equipment, and construction equipment).
Air pollution contributes to the greenhouse effect and clim ate change, and has been linked to adverse community health effects resulting from disease or damage to the lungs, including higher instances of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other respiratory illnesses in communities with higher levels of air polluti on. There is also increasing evidence that air pollution contributes to heart attacks and strokes, diabetes, and dementia. 30 The health impacts of air pollution are determined by the concentration of these pollutants in the air, and the levels and duration of exposure that humans have to the pollutants.
Air pollution can pose a particular threat to sensitive populations, such as children—whose lungs are still developing—and older adults, who are more likely to have compounded health risks that put them in a higher risk category for respiratory disease .31 Implementing measures to reduce exposure to stationary and mobile sources of air pollution can help reduce residents’ contact with air pollution, and support a healthy environment. Creating walkable and complete communities, encouraging walking and biking to access goods and services, switching to electric cars and bikes, and providing incentives to reduce automobile trips are just a few ways that the City can help improve local air quality through transportation and land use changes.
Air quality is monitored and regulated by several regional, State, and federal agencies. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) was established by the California legislature in 1955 as the first regio nal air pollution control agency in the country. BAAQMD is tasked with regulating stationary sources of air pollution in the nine counties that surround San Francisco. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) sets tailpipe and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for cars and other vehicles.
Atmospheric conditions, such as wind speed, wind direction, and air temperature gradients interact with the physical features of the landscape to determine the movement and dispersal of air pollutants. Unique geogr aphic features throughout the state , such as mountain ranges and valleys, define 15 air basins with distinctive regional climates. The Planning Area is situated in the Napa Valley region of the San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin (SFBAAB).
While the City does not have authority to establish emission standards, the General Plan furthers coordinated land use and circulation planning to lessen the need for automobile travel and to encourage sustainable modes of transportation . Additional policies to improve air q uality and
30 https://www.baaqmd.gov/community-health/air-pollution-and-community-health. Retrieved May 7, 2021. 31 For summary of State guidance and laws pertaining to air quality and land use, see California EPA and California Air Resources Board, Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective, 2005.
Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
reduce GHG emissions from multiple sources, including automobiles, are addressed in Chapter 6:
Climate Change and Sustainability, and Chapter 3: Transportation.
POLLUTANTS OF CONCERN
Criteria Air Pollutants
Concentrations of ozone, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), lead (Pb), and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) are commonly used as indicators of ambient air quality conditions. These pollutants are known as “criteria pollutants” and are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CARB through national and California ambient air quality standards (NAAQS and CAAQS), respectively. The primary criteria pollutants of concern in the Planning Area are ozone (including its precursors, nitrogen oxides [NOX] and reactive organic gases [ROG]32), CO, and PM.
Toxic Air Contaminants
Toxic air contaminants (TACs) are a broad class of compounds known to cause morbidity or mortality. Although NAAQS and CAAQS have been established for criteria pollutants, no ambient standards exist for TACs. The primary TACs of concern associated with the Planning Area are fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM). Asbestos is also a TAC of concern, particularly in association with demolition of older buildings and structures. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral, which is both naturally occurring in ultramafic rock (a rock type commonly found in California), and was used as a processed component of building materials. Because asbestos has been proven to cause serious adverse health effects, including asbestosis and lung cancer, it is strictly regulated based on its natural widespread occurrence and its former use as a building material. Geological mapping in California does not indicate the presence of naturally occurring asbestos in the Planning Area; however, naturally occurring asbestos is present in Napa County.33
EXISTING AMBIENT AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS
Local Criteria Pollutant Monitoring Data
Numerous ambient air quality monitoring stations are located in the SFBAAB to monitor progress toward attainment of NAAQS and CAAQS. One of these monitoring stations is located at 2552 Jefferson Street in Napa.
Attainment Status
Local monitoring data collected by the ambient air quality monitoring stations, such as the Jefferson Street station, are used to designate areas as being in nonattainment, maintenance,
32 ROG is synonymous with volatile organic compounds (VOC). This term is commonly used to describe compound limits for architectural coatings such as paint. 33 U.S. Department of the Interior, Reported Historic Asbestos Mines, Historic Asbestos Prospects, and Other Natural Occurrences of Asbestos in California.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
attainment, or unclassified regarding NAAQS and CAAQS. Regional air quality in California is overseen by 35 local air districts in the state. In the Planning Area, the BAAQMD administers air quality regulations developed at the federal, State, and local levels. The CARB compiles an emissions inventory for all sources of emissions within Napa County, where the Planning Area is located. This inventory is used by the BAAQMD and CARB for regional air quality planning purposes and is the basis for the region’s air quality plans. Napa County is classified as a nonattainment area for the federal and State ozone and P M2.5 standards, and a nonattainment area for the State PM10 standard (California Air Resources Board 2015, 2017; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2018).34,35 The attainment statuses for Napa County, the area applicable to the Planning Area, are shown in Table 7-1.
The California Clean Air Act (CCAA) designates air districts as lead air quality planning agencies, requires air districts to prepare air quality plans, and grants air districts authority to implement transportation control measures. The CCAA also emphasizes the control of “indirect and area - wide sources” of air pollutant emissions and gives local air pollution control districts, such as the BAAQMD, explicit authority to regulate indirect sources of air pollution and to establish traffic control measures. With the SFBAAB, which includes the Planning Area, in nonattainment for multiple pollutants, the BAAQMD is responsible for ensuring that the NAAQS and CAAQS for these pollutants are met. For the purposes of land use planning, the BAAQMD has established advisory emission thresholds to assist lead agencies in the environmental review process required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in determining the level of significance of a project’s emissions with respect to the NAAQS and CAAQS.
Table 7-1: Attainment Status Designations Applicable to the Planning Area Criteria Pollutant Federal Designation State Designation Ozone (O3) (8-hour) Marginal Nonattainment Nonattainment CO Attainment Attainment
PM10 Attainment Nonattainment
PM2.5 Moderate Nonattainment
(2006)
Nonattainment
NO2 Attainment Attainment
SO2 Attainment Attainment
Lead Attainment (2008) Attainment
Sulfates (No Federal Standard) Attainment
Hydrogen Sulfide (No Federal Standard) Unclassified
Visibility Reducing Particles (No Federal Standard) Unclassified
34 California Air Resources Board Area Designations (Activities and Maps), 2018. 35 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Current Nonattainment Counties for All Criteria Pollutants, 2018.
Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
Criteria Pollutant Federal Designation State Designation Notes:
O3 = ozone.
CO = carbon monoxide.
PM10 = particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns.
PM2.5 = particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 microns.
NO2 = nitrogen dioxide.
SO2 = sulfur dioxide.
Sources: U.S. Department of the Interior, Reported Historic Asbestos Mines, Historic Asbestos Prospects, and Other Natural Occurrences of Asbestos in California; California Air Resources Board Area Designations (Activities and Maps), 2018; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Current Nonattainment Counties for All Criteria Pollutants, 2018.
TAC Inventory
The BAAQMD maintains an inventory of health risks associated with all permitted stationary sources within the SFBAAB. The 2020 TAC inventory data was reviewed during the General Plan update process, and shows that there are 91 stationary sources of TACs in the Planning Area.
These sources are largely comprised of diesel-powered generators, gasoline dispensing facilities, and automobile body shops. Some of the TAC sources may be removed or relocated, and some new sources may be added, as a result of the General Plan.
TAC emissions in and around the Planning Area are also generated from mobile sources. The BAAQMD considers roadways with traffic volumes greater than 10,000 average daily traffic (ADT) counts as “high volume roadways ,” and recommends th at these roadways be included in the analysis of health risks. Currently, roadways located in the immediate proximity of the Planning Area that have ADT greater than 10,000 vehicles include State Route (SR ) 12, SR 29, SR 121, and SR 221. Additionally, First Street, Lincoln Avenue, Trancas Street, Coombsville Road, Soscol Avenue, Big Ranch Road, Imola Avenue, California Boulevard, and Jefferson Street, which traverse the Planning Area and are classified as arterial streets in the City, have ADT volumes greater than 10,000.36 These arterial roadways represent sources of TACs in the Planning Area. Highways that pass through the Planning Area represent the greatest mobile source of TACs (primarily DPM from diesel-powered vehicles) due to the high volume of vehicles that travel on these roads on a daily basis. The segments of SR 12, SR 29, SR 121, and SR 221 in and near the Planning Area have annual average daily traffic volumes as high as 37,000, 68,000, 15 ,000, and 41,500, respectively. 37 According to BAAQMD’s screening tools, the lifetime cancer risk associated with traffic on SR 29, the highway with the highest average daily traffic in the Planning Area, for a receptor 10 feet west of the roadway in the Planning Area may exceed 57 cases per million 38, or 0 .01 to 0.02 percent increase over the lifetime risk of developing cancer of an invasive site, which ranges from one in three for females and one in two for males39.
36 City of Napa Traffic Count Map, 2015.
37 California Department of Transportation, 2015 Traffic Volumes on California State Highways, 2015. 38 Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Highway Screening Analysis Tool, 2011. 39 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-basics/lifetime-probability-of-developing-or-dying-from-cancer.html.
Accessed 11/22/2021.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Sensitive Receptors
The NAAQS and CAAQS apply at publicly accessible areas, regardless of whether those areas are populated. Sensitive land uses are generally defined as locations where human populations, especially children, seniors, and sick persons, are located , and where there is reasonabl e expectation of continuous human exposure according to the averaging period for air quality standards (e.g., 24 -hour, 8-hour, and 1 -hour). Typical sensitive receptors include residences, hospitals, and schools. As seen in Figure 2-1, the Planning Area con sists of a wide array of land uses, including commercial uses, business offices, industrial uses, residential uses, hotels, schools, and parks. Many of the uses in the Planning Area are considered sensitive receptors.
7.4 Water Quality
Access to high quality water is vital for a healthy community. The availability, quantity, and quality of water are vital to plant, animal, and human habitats alike. Water is essential to the development of housing, commerce, industry, and agriculture ; provides recreational opportunities; and supports healthy fish and wildlife habitats. The Napa River, its tributaries, and the underlying groundwater aquifer are the major water resources in the Planning Area. The reservoirs and City water systems, including water supply, wastewater and sewer service, recycled water facilities, and storm drain infrastructure are included in Chapter 4 : Community Services, Parks and Recreation.
Ground and surface water quality protection is a multi-jurisdictional effort, engaging with various local, County, State, and federal agencies, including monitoring and protection efforts from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The City’s water supply , groundwater, stormwater, wastewater, recycled water, and wet utility infrastructure plans are covered in an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) , which is updated every five years . The most recent UWMP was published in 2020.
POTABLE WATER
The City releases an annual Drinking Water Quality Report as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act that discloses p otential contaminants and summarizes drinking water quality. Depending on which treatment plant is in operation, the City’s source of potable water comes from three sources: Lake Hennessey (treated by the Hennessey Water Treatment Plant), Lake Milliken (treated by the Milliken Water Treatment Plant), or the Barker Slough in the Sacramento Delta via the North Bay Aqueduct (treated by the Edward I. Barwick Jamieson Canyon Water Treatment Plant) provided under the State Water Project (SWP). The City does not rely on groundwater for its municipal water supply.
Every five years, the City conducts Source Water Assessments 40 to evaluate the quality of the water used as drinking water supply , and to examine activities associated with the specific waterway and its surrounding areas to determine their potential contribution to contamination.
40 Copies of the complete assessments are available through the SWRCB DDW, Santa Rosa District Office, 50 D Street, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 or by calling Amy Little, Associate Sanitary Engineer, SWRCB, at (707) 576-2145.
Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
These potential contributors are then compiled into a Vulnerability Summary. Results from the Vulnerability Summaries show that these are the most significant potential sources of contaminants for the City’s source waters:
• Lake Hennessey (completed April 2018): Pacific Union College Wastewater Treatment Plant, vineyards, fires, invasive species, potential hazardous material spills due to traffic accidents (on Highway 128 near lake) , septic tank systems (in Angwin), and grazing and wild animals.
• Milliken Reservoir (completed April 2018): Fires, vineyards, and grazing and wild animals. • Sacramento Delta (updated 2017): Recreational use, urban and agricultural runoff, grazing animals, herbicide application, and seawater intrusion.
According to the 2020 Annual Water Quality Report, the City’s potable water met all U.S. EPA and SWRCB standards in 2020. 41 While the City’s potable water quality meets health and safety standards, having drink ing water that smells good and is palatable to drink is important for maintaining community trust in the municipal water system . Water quality an important component of public health and equity.
SURFACE WATER
The SWRCB sets water quality standards for sur face water bodies in the Planning Area. These standards determine the total maximum daily load of pollutants which can be discharged into a water body, and are determined based on the beneficial uses of a given water body. Water bodies that are used for ha bitat or drinking water, for example, are held to more stringent pollution standards. Different standards are also determined depending on whether a water body is tidal or non-tidal.
The Napa River, which is the main waterway within the Planning Area, has the following beneficial uses when tidal: commercial and sport fishing; estuarine habitat; migration of aquatic organisms; rare, threatened, or endangered species; wildlife habitat; contact and non -contact water recreation; and navigation. The beneficial uses of the non-tidal portion of the Napa River include:
agricultural supply; municipal and domestic supply; groundwater recharge; cold and warm freshwater habitat; commercial and sport fishing; migration of aquatic organisms; rare, threatened, or endangered species; fish spawning; wildlife habitat; navigation; and contact and non-contact water recreation. Both the tidal and non -tidal portions of the Napa River are listed on the California State Water Resources Control Board’s 303(d) List of Impaired Wat ers, which lists waterbodies that are not meeting, or not expected to meet, water quality standards .42
41 City of Napa. Annual Water Quality Report. Reporting year 2020. Accessed via web July 2021. https://www.cityofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/7817/2020-Drinking-Water-Quality-Report-PDF?bidId= 42 State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency. Integrated Report for Clean Water Act Sections 305(b) and 303(d). 2018. Accessed via web November 2021. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/tmdl/2018state_ir_reports_final/102020_6_final_stffrpt .pdf
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Waterbodies on this list are subject to a total maximum daily load for pollutants or other regulatory action to restore water quality. .
Surface water features in the Planning Area include Salvador Creek, Browns Creek, Redwood Creek, Napa Creek, Tulucay Creek, and Milliken Creek. Salvador Creek, which drains into the Napa River, has the following beneficial uses: cold and warm freshwater ha bitat; habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered species; fish spawning; wildlife habitat; and contact and non -contact water recreation. Browns Creek, Redwood Creek, Napa Creek, and Tulucay Creek, are all tributaries off the Napa River that share the sam e beneficial uses: cold and warm freshwater habitat; migration of aquatic organisms; rare, threatened, or endangered species; fish spawning; wildlife habitat; and contact and non -contact water recreation. Milliken Creek, which converges with the Napa River, shares the same benefits as the tributaries above, and additionally serves as freshwater replenishment.
For the tidal portion of the Napa River, a total maximum daily load —the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards—is currently in place for sediment and pathogens relating to agriculture and on -site wastewater systems (septic tanks). The non-tidal portion of the river is also listed for sediment and pathogens relating to agriculture and on-site wastewater systems (septic tanks), and additionally has total maximum daily loads in place for sedimentation/siltation related to agriculture and road construction.
Pollutants in surface water sources can harm fish and wildlife populations, kill native vegetation, foul drinking water supplies, and make recreational areas unsafe and unpleasant. Surface water quality can be affected by the following:
• Coliform bacteria, which is caused by water runoff from failed septic tanks, cattle and horse pastures, and municipal storm drainage which contains pet wastes. • Excess nutrient pollution, which exacerbates algae growth, and enters the river via urban and agricultural runoff that contains fertilizers. Significant sources are household landscaping, parks, and golf courses.
• Riparian habitat loss due to agricultural clearing, urban development, or as a result of grazing. When vegetation is cleared or a waterway channel modified, such as urban waterway channelization or dredging in the Napa River, the transfer of various pollutants to the waterway is accelerated. Also, water temperatures generally increase as a result of development, which reduces dissolved oxygen levels and adversely affects cold-water fish and other aquatic life. In addition to plant and ani mal habit, riparian and wetlands vegetation provide benefits to the ecology of the waterway, including energy flow, nutrient cycling, water cycling, improved water quality, and reduced downstream flooding.
• Urban runoff caused by impervious surfaces in urba n areas bring additional pollutants into the waterways. Pollutants include sediment, oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from motor vehicles, pesticides and nutrients from lawns and gardens, trash, and increased thermal temperatures from dark surfaces.
Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
Urban runoff management regulations have been established by the RWQCB for implementation by local jurisdictions. 43 The goal of the regulations is to prevent the discharge of pollutants into storm drains or directly into rivers and their tributaries. The City is also part of the Napa Countywide Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (NCSPPP) , which seeks to prevent stormwater pollution and to protect and enhance water quality in creeks and wetlands.
GROUNDWATER
Groundwater features in the Planning Area are the Napa-Sonoma Valley basin (Basin No. 2-2) and the Napa-Sonoma Volcanic Highlands basin (Basin No. 2-23), as defined in the San Francisco Bay Basin Plan. Beneficial uses of the Napa Sonoma Valley basin include municipal, industrial (process and service), and agricultural. The Napa-Sonoma Volcanic Highlands basin has no beneficial uses.
Although the City does not obtain its water supply from groundwater sources and is an insignificant user of irrigation water from groundwater sources, groundwater quality can ha ve greater impacts to the watershed and affect other areas of Napa County that do rely on groundwater for irrigation and other purposes.
In 2009, Napa County embarked on a countywide project to develop a sound understanding of groundwater conditions and i mplementing an expanded groundwater monitoring and data management program that can serve as a foundation for future coordinated, integrated water resources planning, and dissemination of water resources information. This effort resulted in the 2012 Napa C ounty Groundwater Monitoring Plan ,44 which sought to formalize and augment groundwater monitoring efforts. In addition, the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) overse es groundwater sustainability in the County by creating and carrying out a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Napa Valley subbasin. As of 2021, the Draft GSP was available for public review, with anticipated adoption in early 2022. 45 The GSA also releases an annual report about groundwater levels and progress towards implementation programs to assess and maintain groundwater sustainability, in coordination with the reporting requirements under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. 46Activities that can adversely affect groundwater can occur above or below ground. Above ground, disposal of solid and liquid wastes; horse, livestock , and household pet excrement ; fertilizers; pesticides; and sewage sludge can infiltrate the groundwater table. Below ground, abandoned and existing water supply wells can act as conduits for pollutants into the water table.
It is important for the City to support a healthy water table by coordinating with other agencies that oversee groundwater sustainability, and furthering local efforts to maintain the groundwater
43 https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sanfranciscobay/water_issues/programs/planningtmdls/basinplan/web/docs/AD A_compliant/BP_all_chapters.pdf
44 https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/9383/2013-Napa-County-Groundwater-Monitoring-Plan- PDF
45 https://www.countyofnapa.org/3084/Groundwater-Sustainability-Plan 46 https://www.napawatersheds.org/managed_files/Document/14401/2020%20Annual%20Groundwater%20Report. pdf
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
recharge process. Recharge occurs by maintaining the floodplains, limiting impermeable surfaces, and by collecting runoff in detention basins and swales.
7.5 Goals and Polices
Goals and Policies that seek to conserve and enhance the City’s natural resources are outlined below and organized into the following topics. Following each stated goal are policies that are designed and intended to promote, achieve , and/or implement the stated goal. Together, they prioritize the time and resources that should be focused on policies to conserve and enhance natural resources. Note that italicized text provides background information and considerations for implementation of the General Plan policies. Appendix A contains “implementing programs” intended to implement the goals and policies in this section.
HABITAT AND WILDLIFE
GOAL NRC-1: Manage natural resources, including riparian corridors, wetlands, and open space areas in and around the City, to preserve and enhance plant and wildlife habitats.
NRC 1-1 SeekContinue efforts to protect and enhance the riparian habitat along waterways in the City and the Napa River.
NRC 1-2 Review future waterway improvement projects (e.g., flood control, dredging, private development), as well as all development adjacent to the waterways, to protect and minimize effects on the riparian and aquatic habitats.
NRC 1-3 Support restoration of degraded ecosystems to enhance the natural adaptive capacity of biological communities where feasible.
NRC 1-4 Encourage native plantings along the river and creek banks to stabilize the banks, reduce sedimentation, reduce stormwater runoff volumes, and enhance aquatic habitats.
NRC 1-5 Seek Promote controlled access points in designated areas to prevent unrestricted public access to riparian habitat.
NRC 1-6 Support areas of habitat and biodiversity conservation as the River Trail is completed.
NRC 1-7 Identify and protect wildlife habitat corridors from being severed or significantly obstructed. Prioritize the re-establishment of disconnected habitat corridors wherever feasible, including in conjunction with stormwater management improvements.
NRC 1-8 Require development projects to provide protection for significant on-site natural habitat whenever feasible, and protect significant species and groves or Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
clusters of trees on project sites. Establish and support citywide training and support programs that provide the tools to help existing homeowners associations and residents accomplish habitat protection.
NRC 1-9 Seek Support educational opportunities for community members to learn about climate risks to habitats and biodiversity, and the need to safeguard these natural systems.
GOAL NRC-2: Recognize and support the preservation of ra re, endangered, and threatened species.
NRC 2-1 Continue to consult with, and refer development proposals in sensitive areas to, State and federal wildlife agencies for review and comment.
NRC 2-2 As part of development review on sites with sensitives species, require project proponents to either conserve any habitat areas, or identify any feasible means of avoiding any net loss of habitat or habitat value for endangered, threatened, and rare species. Establish programs that provide for the use of off-site mitigation when in the best interest of the public.
NRC 2-3 Periodically update the City’s record of known locations of rare and endangered species and sensitive habitats, as shown on Figure 7-1.
NRC 2-4 Educate and involve the public in the stewardship of the Planning Area’s natural resources, and educate property owners on the value of wildlife within the ecosystem. Seek opportunities for partnership with local organizations and the school district.
OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL AREAS
GOAL NRC-3: Develop a balanced and i ntegrated open space network reflecting a variety of considerations —resource conservation, production of resources, recreation, and aesthetic and community identity —as well as connections between various open space components , and compatibility with land use planning.
NRC 3-1 Maintain land designated as Open Space in Figure 7-2 in natural and/or recreational use and require that development or grading on hillsides (if allowed) preserves the integrity and appearance of natural hillsides and other landforms wherever possible. Development shall conform to the City of Napa Hillside Overlay District requirements with the goal to prevent cut-and-fill and other destructive developmental practices.
NRC 3-2 Encourage, at the time of any discretionary approval, development in sensitive areas to cluster development, or to build vertically, rather than horizontally, so as to retain natural areas and habitat.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
NRC 3-3 Utilize greenways and trails to connect the City’s open space network.
Additional policies related to trails are included in Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks, and Recreation.
NRC 3-4 Continue to improve and/or create new access to the Napa River for personal watercrafts.
GOAL NRC-4: Support public and private efforts for preserving open spaces and biological environme nts—particularly unique and fragile biological environments—around the City.
NRC 4-1 Coordinate with Napa County and other agencies to preserve unique and fragile biological environments on unincorporated lands outside the Sphere of Influence (SOI), including areas such as the Napa-Sonoma Marsh.
NRC 4-2 Collaborate with the Napa County Parks and Open Space District to preserve and protect open spaces within and outside of the City, including mutual support in securing resources for open space and habitat preservation.
NRC 4-3 Support the Napa Land Trust and other community or non-profit organizations seeking to purchase privately-held land designated as Agriculture or Greenbelt in the General Plan or other land for habitat conservation, used to further conservation goals such as protecting riparian habitat, expanding/connecting open space, and preserving, protecting, or restoring wildlife corridors.
AIR QUALITY
GOAL NRC-5: Protect air quality within the City and support efforts for enhanced regional air quality.
NRC 5-1 Coordinate with County, regional, State, and federal jurisdictions on air quality standards and seek to adopt local measures.
NRC 5-2 Require that development projects incorporate BAAQMD’s Basic Construction Mitigation Measures to reduce construction and operational emissions for reactive organic gases (ROG), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).
NRC 5-3 Require contractors to use best management practices (BMPs)— including regular material and vehicle tire watering, covering of stockpiles, phasing or extension of grading operations, suspension of grading during high wind periods, and revegetation of graded areas —to reduce particulate emissions (including PM10 and PM2.5) and dust associated with construction activities.
NRC 5-4 Require all construction equipm ent to be maintained and tuned to meet appropriate EPA and CARB emission requirements, including use of Tier 4 engines Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
in off -road equipment and cleaner heavy -duty trucks to reduce NOX and PM exhaust emission levels.
GOAL NRC-6: Through various sustainability measures, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fine particulate matter, and black carbon emissions into the air.
NRC 6-1 Encourage new developments to incorporate sustainable building practices to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the environment, as outlined in the Green Buildings Standards Code and the Napa Municipal Code.
NRC 6-2 Implement regulations that will contribute to an improvement in air quality, and reduction of gases that are harmful to the environment and that cause climate change. Example regulations include eliminating fossil fuels (natural gas) in heating spaces and water for new and significantly renovated buildings.
GOAL NRC-7: Seek to reduce mobile s ources of air pollution by creating denser and walkable neighborhoods, promoting transit -oriented development, and improving bicycle infrastructure, with the goal s to reduce the number of miles traveled in cars and improve regional air quality.
Additional Goals and Policies related to Goal NRC -7 can be found in Chapter 2 : Land Use and Community Design and Chapter 3 :
Transportation.
GOAL NRC-8: Protect sensitive receptors from exposure to substantial concentrations of toxic air contaminants (TACs) and associated health risks.
NRC 8-1 Where feasible, require new sensitive receptors (e.g., schools, day care centers, hospitals, and retirement homes) to be set back from highways and other high- volume roads, consistent with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) Guidelines and California Air Resource Board (CARB) recommendations, to reduce health risks associated with exposure to TACs, including exhaust emissions or particulate matter from diesel engines (DPM).
NRC 8-2 For new sensitive receptors, require the installation of indoor air quality equipment that meet Title 24 standards such as high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters such as high-efficiency particulate filters if the recommended siting distances cannot be attained.
NRC 8-3 Consider proximity to the nearest sensitive receptors when reviewing potential siting of new land uses wi thin the Planning Area that may emit TAC emissions or odors.
NRC 8-4 Seek Support efforts to expand the citywide network of air quality monitors.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
WATER QUALITY
GOAL NRC-9: Protect and enhance the City’s potable water, surface water , and groundwater quality.
NRC 9-1 Continue to participate in regional efforts to proactively manage surface and groundwater resources and ensure their long-term health and viability, including implementation of the Napa-Sonoma Valley Groundwater Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan being prepared by the Napa County Sustainability Agency.
NRC 9-2 Continue efforts to educate the public on the importance of protecting the City’s stormwater runoff from pollutants to protect the local creek and the Napa River.
NRC 9-3 Continue to monitor and publish Annual Water Quality Reports.
NRC 9-4 Establish and maintain potable water quality standards that, in addition to meeting health and safety standards , consistently produce palatable, non - odorous potable water that is pleasant to drink.
GOAL NRC-10: Promote u tilization of green infrastructure and Low Impact Development (LID) strategies; water conservation, reuse, and collection; and other sustainability measures to limit pollution runoff.
NRC 10-1 Support the continuation and expansion of existing recycled water systems into the City Limits. Seek incentive programs to encourage usage of recycled water systems.
NRC 10-2 Explore options for water saving and treatment technology when planning future developments to conserve water and keep the City’s water safe and clean.
NRC 10-3 Preserve natural drainage courses in their natural state wherever feasible.
NRC 10-4 Whenever feasible, i ncorporate the use of pervious surfaces in public spaces to permit the percolation of urban runoff while implementing best practices for stormwater pollution prevention.
NRC 10-5 Facilitate groundwater recharge by encouraging development projects to use LID practices such as bioretention, porous paving, and rainwater harvesting systems, and by encouraging private property owners to design or retrofit landscaped or impervious areas to better capture stormwater runoff.
NRC 10-6 Reduce stormwater runoff and pollution by incorporating green infrastructure and sustainability strategies for new development and redevelopment, such as trash capture technology in stormwater systems.
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
8 Safety and Noise
In the face of climate change and increasing risk of natural disasters and related hazards, the City needs to proactively mitigate safety hazards and be prepared for disasters in order to maintain a safe, enjoyable, and resilient community. This chapter addresses the environmental hazards that affect the Planning Area and provides goals and policies to guide the City’s response to these issues.
8.1 Background and Purpose
The Safety and Noise Element presents a framework for minimizing risks posed by natural and human-caused hazards that may impact residents’ health and welfare. This element aims to protect residents, workers, and visitors from seismic and geologic hazards, fire hazards, hazardous materi als, flooding, and other potential hazards that risk life and property. It also addresses noise and includes noise contours that visually depict existing and future noise environments in the City based on future traffic flow conditions outlined in Chapter 3:
Transportation. Other health-related issues, such as air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change adaptation, are included in Chapter 7 : Natural Resources Conservation, and Chapter 6: Climate Change and Sustainability. Peakload and water supply is addressed in Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks and Recreation.
Topics addressed in this chapter include:
• Seismic Hazards
• Soil Erosion and Landslide Hazards
• Flooding
• Dam Failure
• Fire
• Airport Hazards
• Hazardous Materials
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Noise
In addition to the General Plan, the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is a distinct and important document that addresses emergency response and preparedness . Maintaining a current LHMP is a requirement to pursue funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
(HMGP) if a federal disaster should occur. The City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) provides the necessary foundation for the management of emergenc ies and disasters within the City of Napa and addresses the integration and coordination with the Napa County Operational Area and other governmental levels as needed.
RELATIONSHIP TO COMMUNITY VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES While the Safety and Noise Element provides a foundation for creating a safe urban environment that serves all Community Vision and Guiding Principles, it most closely furthers:
Guiding Principle 3: Balance local and tourist needs by supporting a safe environment that supports both residents and visitors.
Guiding Principle 7: Achieve a healthy and safe community for all by supporting a safe environment for residents throughout the City.
Guiding Principle 8: Promote continued Downtown revitalization by supporting safe conditions in the Downtown which helps spur new businesses and attracts people to visit.
8.2 Geologic and Seismic Hazards
Napa is located in the California Coast Ranges Geomorphic Province, a geologically young and seismically active region with low mountains and intervening valleys that trend in the northwest- southeast direction. Napa Valley, formed by regional folding and faulting, is bounded by the Mayacamas Mountains to the north and west and by the Howell Mountains to the east. The Planning Area is mostly flat to gentl y sloping, although there are some upland portions where slopes reach 30 percent. Elevations in upland areas can exceed 600 feet, while the valley floor is approximately 20 feet above sea level.
Less-developed portions of the Planning Area are mantled by surface soils that reflect the characteristics of the underlying materials. There are several soil types in the Planning Area, as classified by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), but the most predominant types are the Bale -Cole-Yolo, Haire -Coombs, and Reyes -Clear Lake soil associations, with small quantities of other soil associations.
The entire San Francisco Bay Area is located within the San Andreas Fault System (SAFS), a complex of active fau lts that form the boundary between the North American and Pacific lithospheric plates. Movement of these plates relative to one another accumulates strain along the faults, which is released during earthquakes. Northern California has historically experienced numerous moderate to strong earthquakes generated by the SAFS. This level of active seismicity results in a relatively high seismic risk in the San Francisco Bay Area. The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities estimates that there is a 72 percent chance that a 6.7 or greater magnitude earthquake will occur in the San Francisco Bay Area between 2014 and 2044.
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
The Alquist -Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (Alquist -Priolo Act) has identified many active faults in the SAFS, meaning these faults have evidence of fault rupture in the past 11,000 years.
Active regional faults include the San Andreas, Hayward, Calaveras, Greenville, Healdsburg - Rodgers Creek, and Concord -Green Valley (which extends into Napa County ) faults. The Coast Range-Sierran Block Boundary (CRSBB) is also currently recognized as a potential seismic source capable of generating moderate earthquakes that could affect the Planning Area.
Callout Box/Sidebar: The Alquist-Priolo Act
Following the devastation of the San Fernando earthquake in 1971 (magnitude 6.6), California created the Alquist-Priolo Act to reduce damage and losses from surface fault rupture. This act established regulatory zones surrounding the surface traces of active faults in C alifornia so that a structure for human occupancy cannot be placed or built on active faults with potential for surface rupture, and must be sited at a minimum distance from the fault.
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones, 2019, California Department of Conservation (https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/alquist-priolo)
While an earthquake fault zone generally prohibits location of structures for human occupancy within 50 feet of a trace of an active f ault line, the State may grant exceptions for development within an earthquake fault zone if a geologic investigation approved by the State Geologist shows that the structure is not situated upon a trace of an active fault line.
Public Resources Code, section 2621.7
In addition to regional faults, local active faults within Napa County—the Cordelia and West Napa faults—also pose a risk to City residents and property. The West Napa fault zone crosses through western portions of the City, including the Linda Vista, Browns Valley, Westwood, and Stanly Ranch neighborhoods. A major earthquake of magnitude 6.0 occurred in the West Napa fault zone as recently as August 2014 , and caused injuries and property damage in the City including significant damage to some commercial buildings and historic structures, damage to wood-frame houses, buckling and cracking in road surfaces, and broken water mains. Due to its proximity to regional and local fault systems, the City is susceptible to various seismic and geologic hazards, including surface rupture along the West Napa fault zone, ground shaking, liquefaction, and landslides.
Callout Box(es)/Sidebar(s): Types of Seismic Hazards
Surface rupture occurs when the ground surface is broken due to fault movement during a n earthquake, and usually occurs along an active or potentially active fault trace. • After the 2014 South Napa Earthquake, geologists mapped a surface rupture across the West Napa fault zone and estimated that the rupture was nearly a mile wide and more than 16 miles long.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Ground shaking generally refers to all aspects of motion of the earth’s surface resulting from an earthquake and is often the primary cause of damage in seismic events. The extent of ground shaking depends on the magnitude and intensity of the earthquake, distance from the rupture (e.g., epicenter), and local geologic conditions.
• Intensity is a subjective measure of the perceptible effects of seismic energy at a given point, commonly measured by the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI). This scale reports the intensity of shaking on a 10-tiered scale from “not felt except by a few under especially favorable circumstances” (I, or low), to “ some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame structures destroyed with foundations. Rails bent” (X, or extreme).
• Magnitude is an objective measure of an earthquake’s size at its release, typically reported by t he moment magnitude (MW) scale, which looks at the distance a fault moves and the force required to move it.
Liquefaction is when soil temporarily transforms from a solid state to a liquefied state as a result of seismic ground shaking, commonly leading to ground displacement or ground failure.
Liquefaction occurs in loose, saturated, granular soil types; therefo re, soil layers where the groundwater table is near the surface have higher liquefaction potential than those in which the water table is located at greater depths.
• According to regional liquefaction hazard mapping from USGS, areas in Napa that are most susceptible to liquefaction ( e.g., categorized as moderate -to-high, high, or very high) include areas along Napa River, Napa Creek, and Tulocay Creek. Parts of the Stanly Ranch and River East neighborhoods that were historic marshland are also suscept ible to liquefaction.
Landslides and mudslides occur in places where slopes are unstable, such as the west side of the valley where the underlying geology is predominantly weaker, less consolidated sedimentary rock. On the other hand, nearly vertical slop es are stable in the east side of the Planning Area due to volcanic base rock.
• Based on regional landslide mapping from Division of Mi nes and Geology, there is only one area of active landslide deposits in the Planning Area, located west of Foster Road along the southern edge of the City.
• The western hills surrounding the Browns Valley area are particularly susceptible to landslide due to greater slope instability; the other areas in the City are primarily flat land and are not susceptible to landslides.
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
8.3 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Certain chemical compounds located on or below the ground surface have the potential to contaminate the soil and groundwater. Excavation and grading work that occur during construction have the possibility to expose the general public to contaminated materials either through physical contact or hazardous vapors. Mismanagement or mishandling of contaminated groundwater and soil can propagate the spread of conta mination through surface water runoff or airborne dust, consequently increasing the public’s exposure to these hazards.
In cooperation with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the Napa County Environmental Health Division and the City coordinate the identification and cleanup of sites that have been classified as hazardous waste sites or leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs) in the Planning Area.
Containment and cleanup acti vities are provided by the Napa Interagency Hazardous Incident Team and Napa Fire Department.
UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS AND LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS The location of underground storage tanks (USTs), leaking USTs (LUSTs), land disposal sites, and other areas that may require groundwater cleanup are monitored by the California Water Resources Control Board in a data management system known as “GeoTracker” that can be accessed by State Boards, regional boards, and local agencies.
There are currently 24 permitted USTs in the City, including gasoline stations, auto -related services, and a medical facility. There are 194 locations within the Planning Area containing LUSTs:
The California Water Resources Control Board administratively categorizes LUSTS by their cleanup status: LUST sites are considered “open” if the site is currently in use and no remediation has taken place while “closed” sites are no longer in use and have gone through environmental remediation. Three sites are open and are being assessed , two sites are currently being remediated, and 189 sites are completed and considered closed. All open LUSTs in the Planning Area are listed in Table 8-1.
Table 8-1: Open Leaking Underground Storage Tanks Cleanup Sites Name Address Cleanup Status
Former Mobil Service Station 1801 Imola Avenue Open - Remediation Private Residence Private Residence Open - Remediation
Former BP 2442 West Imola Avenue Open - Site Assessment Kastner Pontiac Olds GMS
Wholesale
282 Soscol Avenue Open - Site Assessment
Rico’s Auto Detailing 1538 Third Street Open – Site Assessment Source: California State Water Resources Control Board, GeoTracker website, 2021.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
CLEANUP PROGRAM SITES
The DTSC oversees the cleanup of over 90,000 properties throughout California that are believed to be contaminated or are contaminated to some degree with toxic substances. GeoTracker lists 13 locations within the Planning Area that have been identified by the DTSC as Cleanup Program sites. There are three active sites, one closed site, two inactive sites, three certified sites, and five sites that are under the control of another agency. The cleanup sites and locations are listed in Table 8-2.
Table 8-2: Cleanup Program Sites
Name Address Type of Case Cleanup Status
860 Kaiser
Road
860 Kaiser
Road
Voluntary
Cleanup
Certified O&M - Land Use Restrictions Only
Bresciani
Property
750 Randean
Way
Evaluation Refer: RWQCB
The Chrome
Shop
739 8th street Evaluation Inactive - Action Required
Hidden Glenn
Landfill
Coombsville
Road
Voluntary
Cleanup
Refer: IWMB
Lot 10 Pascale
Place
16 Pascale
Place
Voluntary
Cleanup
Active
Napa Gas &
Electric
Fifth between
Main & Brown
State
Response or
NPL
Certified O&M - Land Use Restrictions Only
Napa Pipe
Corp.
1025 Kaiser
Road
Tiered Permit Refer: Other Agency
PG&E, Napa
MGP
Northwest
corner of Cross
& Elm streets
Voluntary
Cleanup
Active
River Charter
Middle School
1850 Salvador
Avenue
School Active
Syar Industries
Shooting
Range
2301 Napa-
Vallejo
Highway
Voluntary
Cleanup
Certified
Vintage High
School Farm
1077, 1089 and
1015 El Centro
Avenue; and
2331 Big Ranch
Road
School No Further Action
Von Uhlit
Ranch
3011 Soscol
Avenue
Voluntary
Cleanup
Refer: Other Agency
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
Willow
Elementary
1480 El Centro
Avenue
School Inactive - Withdrawn
Source: California State Water Resources Control Board, GeoTracker website, 2021.
SOLID WASTE INFORMATION SYSTEM
The Solid Waste Information System (SWIS) is a database for solid waste facilities, operations, and disposal sites throughout California. The database provides the location, owner, operator, facility type, regulatory and operational status, local enforceme nt agency, and inspection and enforcement records for each facility listed in the system. The type of facilities found in the database range anywhere from landfills to waste tire sites. There are three SWIS facilities within the Planning Area, listed in Table 8-3; all three are closed sites.
Table 8-3: Solid Waste Information System Facilities
Name Activity Operational Status Regulatory Status Address Hidden Glen
Dump
Solid Waste
Disposal Site
Closed Unpermitted Coombsville
Road
Napa Valley
College
Solid Waste
Disposal Site
Closed Unpermitted 2277 Napa-
Vallejo Highway
Napa State
Hospital Disposal
Site
Solid Waste
Disposal Site
Closed Exempt 2100 Napa-
Vallejo Highway
Source: CalRecycle 2021. Solid Waste Information System: Facility/Site Search, 2021.
CORTESE LIST
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) is required by State law to maintain an annually updated list of Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites, or Cortese List . The Cortese List provides information regarding the location of hazardous materials release sites. The list is compiled using information from the California DTSC as well as State agencies, local agencies, and developers that are required to report hazar dous materials releases. Within the Planning Area, no hazardous material release sites have been identified on the most recent Cortese List.
8.4 Hydrology and Flooding
HYDROLOGY
The City is part of the Napa River watershed, which contains several tributaries including Salvador, Milliken, Browns Valley, Redwood, Napa, and Tulocay creeks that all drain to the Napa River. The Napa River drains to San Pablo Bay, which in turn connects to San Francisco Bay, and it also drains to Carquinez Strait, which drains to Gr izzly, Suisun, and Honker bays that are hydrologically connected to the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Runoff and drainage within the City are predominantly characterized by the City’s topography, which generally slopes southeasterly from the Mayacamas Mountains to the Napa River on the east side of State Route (SR) 221 and is fairly flat between SR 29 and SR 221.
Impervious surfaces in the Planning Area include major and minor roadways, residential and commercial development, and an urbanized Downtown area. Storm drains serve developed areas and roadways, and discharge into Salvador, Redwood, Browns, Napa, and Tulocay creeks, and the Napa River.
FLOODING
The Napa River poses a risk of slow -rise and flash flood hazards for areas of the City including Trancas Street, Imola Avenue, Coombs Street, and Silverado Trail. The confluences of several tributaries to the Napa River —including Napa, Mil liken, Salvador, and Tulocay creeks —elevate the flood risk of surrounding areas, particularly where they converge with the river. Places impacted by flood hazards are identified and divided into levels by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including floodways and 100- and 500-year floodplains.
Callout/Sidebar: Mapping Flood Risk
The FEMA’s Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) Program identifies flood hazards, assesses flood risks, and provides accurate data to guide stakeholders in taking effective mitigation actions that result in safer and more resilient communities. This data is incorporated into flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that provided the basis for community floodplain management regulations and flood insurance requirements.
Flood hazards are dynamic and can change frequently because of a variety of factors, including weather patterns, erosion, and new development. FEMA works with communities to collect new or updated flood hazard data, and periodically updates flood maps to reflect these changes.
Napa’s flood map was last updated in January 2020 to reflect recent flood improvements resulting from the Napa River Dry Bypass (Oxbow Bypass), floodwalls, and other components of the Napa River and Creek Flood Protection Project.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Map Service Center, Hazard Mapping Updates Overview Fact Sheet.
The City has also mapped the region into four defined areas (phases) of significant flood risk, with Phase 1 having the greatest risk. Phase 1 floods when the Napa Creek overflows its banks. Phase 2 is the first to flood when the Napa River leaves its banks and is generally bounded by railroad tracks, Soscol Avenue, and the Napa River to the west; Jackson Street and Lincoln Avenue to the north; the Napa River and Silverado Trail to the east; and Sousa Lane and Oil Company Road to the south. Phase 3 begins to flood if Phase 1 and Phase 2 are already flooded, and Phase 4 is inundated during severe floods.
Napa Coun ty voters approved the Napa River and Creek Flood Protection Project in 1998 to protect the City from 100 -year flood events. The project includes improvements to six miles of Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
the Napa River from Highway 29 at the Butler Bridge/Southern Crossing to near Tra ncas Street, and Napa Creek from its outfall to the Napa River for approximately one mile upstream. In addition, there were two separate bridge improvements on First Street, including over the Napa Creek (which was built first) and then over the Napa River (which was built second). Flood protection measures include bank terracing, bridge replacements, bypass channels, culverts, floodwalls, and levees. These improvements will mitigate flood risks at these locations, thereby increasing the development potential of sites in the area. [insert Oxbow Bypass flooding picture]
A number of project components have been completed since construction began in 2000 , including more than 600 acres of restored wetlands in the South Wetlands Opportunity Area; replacement of Third Street, First Street, and Maxwell bridges; construction of the new Soscol Avenue Bridge; cleanup of contaminated properties in the Oil Company Road area; east bank terracing; and the Hatt to First Floodwall and Promenade (including renovation of Vete rans’ Memorial Park).47 Construction of culverts and terraces in Napa Creek were completed in 2013, and the Napa River Dry Bypass (Oxbow Bypass) was completed in 2015, along with improvements completed for overland flow toward Gasser as part of the Braydon apartment project .48 These improvements are reflected in current (2021) FEMA flood maps, which were updated by a Letter of Map Revision in January 2020 , shown in Figure 8 -1. There are a number of pending improvements that are in the planning stage to address flooding issues, including the levee north of Lincoln Avenue, a floodwall around the Oxbow north of First Street, and a floodwall proposed south of the Hatt Building.
The City typically experiences between 24 and 30 inches of rainfall per year.49 During large storm events, overflow of the City’s storm drain system also presents a hazard of localized flooding.
Local drainage system flooding is not evaluated or mapped by FEMA. However, the City’s Storm Drainage Master Plan documents and addresses these issues. Furthermore, t he Napa County- wide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for stormwater runoff often requires retention of runoff to avoid increasing downstream creek flows and associated erosion.
The San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Boa rd (SFRWQCB) also requires treatment of stormwater runoff for new developments, often utilizing grassy swales and/or basins prior to discharge into waterways.
For more information about wet utilities (including water supply, wastewater, and storm drainage), please see Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks, and Recreation.
47 Flood Control and Water Conservation District, County of Napa, 2014. Accessed November 10, 2020. https://www.countyofnapa.org/1093/Project-Construction-Schedule. 48 City of Napa, State of the City Report to Residents 2019. Accessed December 21, 2020. https://www.cityofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/5717/2019-State-of-the-City?bidId=. 49 City of Napa, Water Division, Napa Water CIP Readme.docx, 2018.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Figure 8 -1 Flood Hazards
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
DAM FAILURE INUNDATION
The City operates and is responsible for the maintenance of dams located at Lake Hennessey (Conn Creek) and Milliken Reservoir. The State-owned Rector Reservoir also serves the City. If Lake Hennessey/Conn Creek, the Milliken Reservoir, or the Rector Reservoir were to fail, parts of the Planning Area along Napa River would be flooded, namely south of Trancas Street between Main Street and Silverado Trail, south of Lincoln Avenue between Jefferson Street and Silverado Trail, and south of First Street between SR 29 and Silverado Trail/Soscol Avenue. These areas generally coincide with areas with flood risk identified by FEMA.
Excluding Rector Reservoir, which is not within the City’s jurisdiction, the City can reduce the risk of dam failure by cooperating with the Division of Safety of Dams in addressing any needed maintenance or structural improvements.
Callout/Sidebar: Dam Specifications
Conn Creek Dam : Lake Hennessey is the City’s primary water supply storage. The lake’s dam, Conn Creek Dam, is earth fill with a concrete spillway that empties into Conn Creek. The crest height is 125 feet and the reservoir stores 31,000 acre-feet of water.
Milliken Reservoir: The Milliken Reservoir dam is a reinforced concrete, radial arch that empties into Milliken Creek. The crest height is 110 feet and the reservoir stores 2,000 acre-feet of water.
Rector Reservoir: This site’s dam is earth fill a nd empties into Rector Creek. The crest height is 162 feet and the reservoir stores 4,400 acre -feet of water. As a State -owned reservoir, the City is not responsible for the dam’s safety, but the City could be impacted in a dam failure event: The Rector Reservoir is connected to the Napa River via Rector Creek and could cause downriver flooding in the event of a dam failure.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
8.5 Noise
The primary source of noise in the Planning Area is vehicle traffic on the highways and streets within and adjacent to the Planning Area. The Planning Area is also affected, to a lesser extent, by noise from trains and aircraft in the region. Localized sources of noise, such as car washing facilities; places of entertainment (music venues, bars, and restaurants) ; construction and agricultural activities ; landscaping and industrial equipment; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, are also present in the Planning Area, typical of any urbanized area.
Callout/Side box: What is Noise?
Noise is commonly defined as unwanted sound that annoys or disturbs people and potentially causes an adverse psychological or physiological effect on human health, whereas sound is mechanical energy (vibration) transmitted by pressure waves over a medium such as air or water.
Sound is characterized by various parameters that include the rate of oscillation of sound waves (frequency), the speed of propagation, and the pressure leve l or energy content (amplitude). In particular, the sound pressure level is the most common descriptor used to characterize the loudness of an ambient (existing) sound level.
Although the decibel (dB) scale, a logarithmic scale, is used to quantify sound intensity, it does not accurately describe how sound intensity is perceived by human hearing. The human ear is not equally sensitive to all frequencies in the entire spectrum, so noise measurements are weighted more heavily for frequencies to which humans are sensitive in a process called A- weighting, written as dBA and referred to as A-weighted decibels.
There are several types of measurements that are used to characterize the time -varying nature of sound. These measurements include the equivalent sound l evel (L eq), the minimum and maximum sound levels (Lmin and Lmax), percentile-exceeded sound levels (such as L10, L20), the day- night sound level (L dn), and the community noise equivalent level (CNEL). L dn and CNEL values differ by less than one dB, and, as a matter of practice, L dn and CNEL values are typically considered to be equivalent. Figure 8-2 shows the decibel levels associated with different common sounds.
NOISE REGULATIONS OVERVIEW
Federal, State, and local agencies regulate different aspects of environmental noise. Generally, the federal government sets noise standards for transportation -related noise sources that are closely linked to interstate commerce. These sources include aircraft, locomotives, and trucks.
The State government sets noise standards for transportation noise sources such as automobiles, light trucks, and motorcycles. Title 24, Chapter 12 of the California Code of Regulations California Noise Insulation Standards regulate interior noise levels for residential habitable rooms and non- residential structures. Under these regulations, interior noise levels attributable to exterior noise sources cannot exceed 45 Ldn in any habitable room for residential uses or 50 dB(A) Leq for occupied areas of non-residential buildings during any hour of operation.
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Figure 8 -2: Noise Measurement
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
Noise sources associated with industrial, commercial, and construction activities are generally subject to local control through performance standards in municipal codes or noise ordinances, as well as General Plan policies included in this chapter that are intended to guide and influence development plans. The chapter also relates to the Land Use and Community Design Element by providing land use compatibility standards for noise.
EXISTING AND PROJECTED ROADWAY NOISE
The dominant source of noise in the Planning Area and in most urban areas is noise from vehicle traffic on roadways. There are several major highways in and adjacent to the Planning Area, including SR 12, SR 29 (St. Helena Highway), SR 121/West Imola Avenue, and SR 221 (Napa Vallejo Highway). Major local roadways in the Planning Area include California Boulevard, First Street, Jefferson Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Redwood Road, Silverado Trail, Soscol Avenue, and Trancas Street. Twenty-four-hour, day-night noise levels (Ldn) from all roadways in the Planning Area range from a low of 52 dBA to a high of 77 dBA.50
Figure 8-3 shows existing (as of 2018) noise conditions in the Planning Area from roadway traffic sources. Figure 8-4 shows the noise contours for 2040 based on projected traffic conditions, based on traffic analysis conducted for the General Plan.
50 Traffic noise levels were calculated by ICF, using peak hour intersection volumes collected in October 2018 and provided by DKS Associates.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Figure 8 -3 Noise Contours Existing
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
Figure 8 -4 Noise Conto urs Projected for 2040
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
AIRPORT NOISE
The Napa County Airport, located five miles south of the Planning Area in the unincorporated part of the County, is a public airport for non -commercial air travel , and is owned and operated by Napa County. Although it is not located in the Planning Area, aircraft arrivals and departures from this airport affect land uses in the Planning Area. As discussed in Section 8.7, portions of the Planning Area are located in all of the five of the designated compatibility zones which delineate land use standards and land development restrictions based on the zone’s proximity to the airport.
In the Napa County Airport Master Plan, prepared in 2007, contemporaneous and future noise levels in the area around the airport were modeled and visually depicted in contour maps. Based on these airport contour maps, no portions of the Planning Area are located within the modeled airport noise contours. The quietest modeled contour, 55 CNEL, is considered the ma ximum acceptable level in the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan ( ALUCP) for residential uses. 51 All Planning Area uses are outside of this contour and thus experience noise levels that are lower than 55 CNEL from the Napa County Airport. Occasional aircr aft overflight noise may be audible to people in the Planning Area, however, 24-hour average noise levels from airport operations in the Planning Area are compatible with the ALUCP.
RAILROAD NOISE
Railroad activity in the Planning Area is limited to one excursion rail line, the Napa Valley Wine Train, and no freight lines. The Napa Valley Wine Train operates on an 18 -mile segment of track from Downtown Napa north to St. Helena. There are typically two separate trains that traverse the rail line per day, and each train makes a round trip between downtown Napa and St. Helena.
Approximately four miles of the rail line are located within the Planning Area, though the tracks extend south of the McKinstry Street station in Downtown Napa , and through the southern boundary of the Planning Area ; this section of track is not used as frequently but could be activated at any time. For land uses in the Planning Area near the railroad tracks, noise from the train horn, bell, and crossing gates are part of the ambient noise environment.
NOISE SENSITIVE RECEPTORS
There are a wide variety of land uses located throughout the Planning Area, including noise - sensitive land uses. Noise-sensitive land uses are those uses that are most sensitive to high noise levels, including r esidences, religious facilities, schools, childcare centers, hospitals, long -term health care facilities, convalescent centers, and retirement homes. All of these land use types occur within the Planning Area and are generally distributed throughout the City. For more about existing land use patterns and General Plan land use designations, see Chapter 2: Land Use and Community Design.
51 Napa County Airport Land Use Commission, Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, 1991.
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
NOISE STANDARDS
Land Use/Noise Compatibility
Land use compatibility noise standards define the type of land uses that can be acceptably developed in a given ambient noise environment. Depending on the type of proposed land use and ambient noise level at the site, the use is classified as either “normally acceptable,” “conditionally acceptable,” “normally unacceptable,” or “cl early unacceptable.” These compatibility standards are shown in Table 8-3. Figures 8-3 and 8-4, in addition to any site-specific studies, should be consulted in making compatibility determinations.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Table 8-3: Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Environments
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise
Allowable Noise Exposure
Table 8-4 shows acceptable limits of noise from transportation sources for various land uses in both exterior and interior environments. While Table 8-3 establishes standards to help the City establish the appropriateness of locating specific uses in noise -prone environments, Table 8 -4 provides standards that permitted development shall attain through noise attenuation measures; the standard for interior noise for residential land uses (45 dBA CNEL) is consistent with that in the California Building Code.
Table 8-4: Allowable Noise Exposure from Transportation Sources1
Land Use
Outdoor Activity Areas 1, 2
(dBA CNEL)
Interior Spaces
(dBA CNEL)
Residential 603 45
Motels, Hotels 65 45
Hospitals, Residential Care Facilities,
Schools, Libraries, Museums, Churches, Day
Care Facilities
65 45
Playgrounds, Parks, Recreation Uses 65 50
Commercial and Office Uses 65 50
Industrial Uses 70 65
1. For non-residential uses, where an outdoor activity area is not proposed, the standard does not apply. Where the location of outdoor activity areas is unknown, the exterior noise level standard shall be applied to the property line of the receiving use.
2. Where it is not possible to reduce noise in outdoor activity areas to the allowable maximum, levels up to 5 dB higher may be allowed provided that available exterior noise level reduction measures have been implemented and interior noise levels are in compliance with this table.
3. An exterior noise exposure level of 65 dBA CNEL is allowable for residential uses in a mixed-use project.
Allowable Noise Generation
Table 8-5 provides standards for noise generation from non-transportation noise sources such as industrial facilities, automotive servicing, or equipment yards. These standards apply to the noise sources themselves, as measured at the edge of the property line; noise caused by motor vehicles traveling to and from the site is exempt from this standard.
Napa General Plan 2040
Final Admin Draft
Table 8-5: Noise Generation Performance Standards for Non-Transportation Sources (as measured at property line of source)
Noise Level Descriptor
Daytime
(7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Nighttime
(10 p.m. to 7 a.m.)
Hourly Leq, dB 55 45
Maximum Level, dB 75 65
1. Each of the noise levels specified above shall be lowered by 5 dB for simple tone noises, noises consisting primarily of speech or music, or for recurring impulsive noises.
8.6 Fire
State law requires the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), to identify areas, or zones, of very high fire hazard severity potential under the Fire and Resources Assessment Program (FRAP). These Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) are mapped and identified based on expected burn probabilities, potential fuels over a 30- to 50-year time period, and their correlated expected fire behavior, in order to better predict possible vegetation fire exposure to buildings and developments. According to FRAP mapping, there are no Very High FHSZ in the Planning Area . The western and southeastern borders of the Planning Area are adjacent to Moderate FHSZs, while the remaining northern, eastern, and southern portions of the Planning Area are undesignated. All Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZs are under the financial responsibility of the State for fire prote ction and prevention in areas called State Responsibility Areas (SRAs). In addition to State responsibility, Very High FHSZs are under the responsibility of the local jurisdiction for fire protection and prevention.
In 2017, three major wildfires occurred within close proximity of the Planning Area: the Nuns Fire, the Partrick Fire, and the Atlas Fire. The Nuns Fire was suspected of originating less than 0.5 mile north of Highway 12, northwest of the Planning Area. The fire burned 56,216 acres and resulted in three fatalities. The Pa rtrick Fire burned along the west side of the City on Pa rtrick Road , including a small portion within City Limits, and it burned 10,000 acres and destroyed several homes before merging with the Nuns fire. The two merged fires cum ulatively affected nine wineries within the area, resulting in the destruction of buildings and infrastructure. The Atlas Fire originated on Atlas Peak Road east of the Planning Area , and reached less than a quarter -mile from the City. The fire burned 51,624 acres and resulted in six fatalities. The fire also affected 10 wineries, including one winery that was completely destroyed.52 In 2020, two additional major fires occurred in Napa County. Lightning storms in August 2020 began a series of fires, includ ing the Hennessey Fire (part of the LNU Lightning Complex), which began in the rural east county around Lake Berryessa. The fire burned 363,220 acres 53 and destroyed 787 homes, 12 commercial buildings, and 692 other structures. In September 2020, the Glass Fire, named after its origin at Glass Mountain Road in Napa County, burned along Silverado
52 San Francisco Chronicle, Interactive Map: Wine Country Fires, 2018. 53 San Francisco Chronicle, Interactive Map: Past Fires, 2021.
Chapter 8: Safety and Noise