Applicable General Plan Policies and Approaches
About
The City Council adopted a comprehensive update of the General Plan on October 18, 2022. The 2040 General Plan formalizes a long-term vision for the physical evolution of Napa and outlines policies, standards, and programs to guide day-to-day decisions concerning Napa’s development through the year 2040. The General Plan recognizes the importance of the Napa River to the community and sets forth a series of key strategies, goals, and policies to guide the planning and development of riverfront areas.
The General Plan brings together goals and policies that reflect the importance of the river in the city’s vision for the future. It also sets the stage for planning and guidelines efforts that serve as the foundation of the RiverLine Strategic Plan. The General Plan highlights the river’s role as a community focal point and the RiverLine Strategic Plan is an implementation tool for existing General Plan policies supporting the use and activation of the Napa River corridor. The table below summarizes selected strategies, goals, and policies that are identified in the General Plan that support the RiverLine Strategic Plan.
Policy Number
General Plan Text
Chapter 1: Vision and Planning Context
Guiding Principle 5
Foster connections to nature and open space. Napa is endowed with a beautiful setting surrounded by agricultural land and open spaces, with the Napa River providing an open space and ecological corridor that traverses the City. Respondents to the community priorities survey conducted for the General Plan rated preserving the community’s natural environment and open spaces as the highest priority for City action. The recently completed Oxbow Commons—a multi-functional open space designed for flood control that offers a park-like environment and space for cultural events—is a significant amenity in the heart of the community. The General Plan envisions continued expansion of integrated flood control/ open space solutions, increased access to regional open spaces, and strategic natural and open space additions, including smaller neighborhood parks accessible from bicycle and pedestrian trails.
Guiding Principle 8
Promote continued Downtown revitalization. The City has an enviable Downtown that combines the old and the new, and has undergone a reinvention with the completion of flood-control improvements, new hotels and restaurants, tasting rooms, performance art venues and art galleries, and reorientation to the river with projects such as the Oxbow Commons and riverwalk improvements.
The General Plan continues to build on Downtown’s successes, while increasing its attractiveness to residents by encouraging affordable dining options, community-serving retail, improved public safety, and family-friendly events and attractions. Public realm improvements—more street trees, continued sidewalks and bikeway improvements— are emphasized for all streets. More housing in downtown will be available for those preferring urban lifestyles and will enable hospitality workers to live closer to work.
Key Strategy
Connection to the Napa River. Trails and open space networks along the Napa River will be enhanced to enable residents and visitors to recreate along the river, and enjoy dining and shopping along the waterfront. Sites undergoing development adjacent to the Napa River will be encouraged or required to facilitate public access to the waterfront, and orient buildings toward the river.
Key Strategy
Climate Change and Environmental Resiliency. The General Plan envisions the City as a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and in adapting the community to climate change. The Land Use Diagram identifies location for open space, and goals and policies in the elements that follow emphasize conservation of riparian habitats, nurturing and growing the urban forest, integrated recreation/open space/flooding improvements along Napa River, sustainable site planning and development practices, and increased emphasis on recycling and reuse.
Chapter 2: Land Use and Community Design Element
Soscol North Focus Area Land Use and Urban Design Strategy. The west side of the Napa River should continue enhancement of open space and orient development towards the waterfront. Gaps in the Napa River Trail are filled and connected with other bikeways and trails.
GOAL
LUCD-3
Enhance Napa’s community character by promoting walkability, inclusivity, and connections between neighborhoods, key centers, and the Napa River.
LUCD 3-2
Promote the community’s river orientation by incorporating open spaces as part of flood-improvement projects and supporting development that is oriented toward the river. Limit blank facades, parking garages, parking lots, or imposing fencing along the river.
LUCD 3-3
Enhance public access to the river through trails and linkages to neighborhoods and provide adequate setbacks from the top of the riverbank to allow pedestrian/bike paths and landscaping.
LUCD 3-4
Support development of public amenities such as parks, plazas, and trails along the Napa riverfront.
LUCD 3-5
Support community and public realm design that reflects the community’s diversity and meets the needs of persons of all ages and abilities.
GOAL
LUCD-17
Support greater connectivity and intensification of land uses to enhance the light industrial, maker space, and business character of the Soscol North Focus Area.
LUCD 17-1
Maintain the area as light industrial hub, with maker spaces, research, incubation, and repair uses, while extending new commercial and hospitality uses to the Napa River to entice redevelopment.
LUCD 17-3
Improve streetscapes for pedestrian and bicycle safety. Develop connections to the Napa River, and extend and connect the Napa River Trail as development occurs.
LUCD 17-4
Support flood improvement efforts to reduce flooding potential in this area.
LUCD 18-6
Continue development of the pedestrian/ bike trail network, including access to the Vine Trail along the Napa River; require new development to connect to trails when consistent with the City of Napa Bicycle Plan.
LUCD 20-3
Continue emphasizing Downtown’s orientation to the Napa River and support connections to adjacent neighborhoods.
Chapter 3: Transportation Element
Figure 3-2
Existing and Planned Bicycle Facilities map shows the river to be a Class 1 Multi-Use path.
GOAL TE-3
Promote active transportation, support active lifestyles, and encourage physical activity by providing safe pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure citywide.
TE 3-3
Promote a connected pedestrian and bicycle network that provides safe and direct access between destinations, such as from existing residential areas, schools and Napa Valley College, shopping, employment centers, and connections to regional trail systems, such as the Napa River Trail, the Vine Trail, and the Bay Trail.
GOAL TE-8
Coordinate with Napa County and other agencies to continue safe and efficient operation of the Napa County Airport, Napa River waterfront, and railroads and roadways serving freight movement.
TE 8-2
Promote the use of the Napa River for recreational, transportation, and cultural uses.
TE 8-4
To retain the public accessibility of the Napa River waterfront and to reduce potential adverse environmental impacts like noise and pollution runoff, establish regulations that will minimize new private docks along the Napa River. Docks for public use may be approved provided they are compatible with the California State Lands Commission Public Use Doctrine and the design requirements of the Napa River – Napa Creek Flood Protection Project.
Chapter 4: Community Services, Parks, and Recreation Element
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 Napa 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 Trail 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 private 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 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 pedestrian crossing at Lincoln Avenue to provide safe crossing for trail users.
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-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 educational placards along the Napa River and pedestrian trails.
GOAL
CSPR-14
Seek funding and distribution mechanisms to support the City’s existing and future parks and recreational needs.
CSPR 14-5
Continue identifying adequate and diverse funding sources for developing and maintaining parks and recreational facilities and programming.
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 benefits to adjacent commercial properties.
Chapter 7: Natural Resources Conservation Element
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
Continue 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 1-4
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
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.
GOAL NRC-3
Develop a balanced and integrated 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 3-3
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.
Chapter 10: Economic Development Element
GOAL ED-1
Promote a diversified economic base to foster economic resiliency and vibrancy, as well as a healthy mix of employment opportunities that match the needs and skills of the local workforce.
ED 1-11
Consider establishing tax increment financing or other similar funding tools and resources to provide significant public benefits by creating funding for infrastructure, affordable housing, and public facilities.
GOAL ED-6
Ensure that the local economy reinforces and builds on the City’s unique “sense of place,” including its cultural diversity and creative sectors, in a manner that serves both residents and visitors in a mutually-supporting fashion.
ED 6-2
Pursue tourism and placemaking initiatives that build upon the City’s rich array of offerings—such as historic resources, cultural diversity, and the Napa River—to cultivate places and “cultural districts” that engage/serve both tourists and locals (to be coordinated with Goal PHE-8).
GOAL ED-8
Support Downtown Napa as a multicultural, event, and food destination, anchored by hospitality uses, and with a supportive mix of civic, office, retail, entertainment, and residential uses to promote vibrancy, authenticity, and cultural diversity.
ED 8-1
Support the continued growth of the Oxbow District for both residents and visitors, focusing on strengthening the district’s culinary and maker space themes, programming and marketing efforts, connections to Downtown and the Napa River, and sale of locally-produced goods and services.
ED 8-8
Improve pedestrian and transit connectivity, safety, and access to businesses Downtown by strengthening connections to the Oxbow Market, the Cinedome redevelopment site, the Napa Valley Exposition site, the Soscol Gateway Transit Center, and the Napa River waterfront. Consider installing new wayfinding signage, temporary street closures to vehicular traffic (e.g., for special events) and other traffic calming/complete streets strategies to promote a safe and welcoming environment for pedestrians.
Appendix A: Implementation Program
A-1b
Development Standards. Includes policies that would apply to new development projects, including uses and design considerations.
A-1g
Overlay and Other Districts. Includes polices that update existing or create new overlay or other types of districts. Districts apply on top of base zoning regulations and are used to demarcate important or unique areas of the city.
A-2c
Transportation, Trails, Bikeways, and Pedestrian Improvements. Includes policies to build out non-motorized transportation networks in Napa, like the Vine Trail, and can be referenced when updating bicycle and pedestrian plans.
A-2d
Parks, Open Spaces, Natural Resources. Includes policies that relate to building, providing, or improving parks, open spaces, and other natural resources A-3h
Waterfront Development. Includes policies that relate to designing and building out the waterfront along the Napa River, including riverfront trails and trail connections.
ATTACHMENT 1