2023
General Plan Annual Progress Report
Prepared by City of Napa
Community Development Department
February 2024
Planning Commission: February 15, 2024
City Council: March 19, 2024
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I. Introduction
This report has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of Government Code Section 65400. Guidance for preparation of the report is provided by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR).
The purpose of the document is to report on the City’s progress in implementing its General Plan. The document was provided to the Planning Commission and City Council for their review on February 15, 2024 and March 19, 2024, respectively, and will be submitted to OPR and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) by April 1, 2023 following these reviews.
Background
The City adopted the City of Napa 2040 General Plan on October 18, 2022. The planning process for the new plan began in May 2018 and involved many public meetings, community outreach, and substantial effort on the part of City Staff, the City Council, Planning Commission, and the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) as well as local organizations, interest groups, and the general public.
The Napa 2040 General Plan replaced the 1998 Envision Napa 2020 General Plan in its entirety. The Plan resulted in major documents that are utilized on a daily basis in the City’s planning processes, including:
• General Plan Vision & Guiding Principles
• Land Use Plan
• Corridor Focus Areas
• Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
The policy document and appendices are available on the City’s website.
Informational Document
This document is a reporting document and does not create or alter policy. The content is provided for informational purposes only, and is exempt from the requirements of CEQA, per CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c).
Organization
As only the second reporting year following adoption of the Napa 2040 General Plan, it is anticipated that the organization of this Annual Progress Report will continue to evolve over the course of the General Plan horizon (2040). At a minimum, the Report will include the City’s efforts in implementing the Goals & Policies of the General Plan, including each of the nine General Plan Elements.
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Annual progress on the City’s Housing Element will be conducted in a separate Annual Progress Report in accordance with California Government Code Section 65400.
II. General Plan Progress and Accomplishments
Interim Zoning Ordinance
The City adopted an Interim Zoning Ordinance (IZO) on April 18, 2023 to address areas of conflict between the General Plan and existing zoning. The IZO provides:
• Interim Zones for new Mixed-Use Districts
• New Land Use types for General Plan Implementation
• Land Use Regulations & Development Standards
• Procedures for Consistency Determinations
Temporary Moratorium on Fossil Fuel Service Stations
in tandem with the IZO, a temporary moratorium was established on applications for new or expanded fossil fuel service stations. The temporary moratorium carries out Goals & Policies from the General Plan’s Climate Change and Sustainability Element and wil l allow the City time to establish new, long -term regulations for fossil fuel service stations and promotion of alternative fuels. These new regulations will take place as part of a comprehensive update to the City’s Zoning Ordinance.
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update
A major step in implementing the General Plan is a comprehensive update to the City’s Zoning Ordinance and Municipal Code. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and a subsequent Request for Proposals (RFP) sought qualified planning firms to assist with the update. Upon selection of a Consultant Team, work on the Zoning Ordinance Update is anticipated to begin in Spring 2024.
Housing Element Update
One of the seven State -mandated elements of the General Plan, the City’s Housing Element is required to be updated every eight years. After an 18 -month public process, the City adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element in October 2023. The Housing Element was certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development in December.
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