St. Helena City Council
June 23, 2023

FY 19/20 FY 20/21 FY 21/22 FY 21/22 FY 22/23 FY 22/23
Actual Actual Adopted Estimated Year End Adopted Budget % Change
Beginning Fund Balance (July 1) $          1,443,506 $             1,698,199 $             1,500,341 $ 1,500,341 $          1,642,632 Wastewater Capital ‐ Revenues
Contributions from Government ‐ ‐  ‐  ‐  ‐  0.00%
Debt Service ‐ ‐                  9,362,925 3,510,534 5,852,391 Operating Transfers In                 604,254 520,000                 3,137,527 474,505              2,545,465 ‐18.87% Total Wastewater Capital Improvement Revenues $              604,254 $                 520,000 $           12,500,452 $ 3,985,039 $          8,397,856 1514.97% Wastewater Capital ‐ Expenditures
Totals by category
Services                 349,560 717,858              14,600,341 3,842,748 13,436,139            ‐7.97% Transfers ‐ ‐  ‐  ‐  ‐  0.00%
Total Wastewater Capital Improvement Expenditures 349,560 $               $                 717,858 $           14,600,341 $ 3,842,748 $        13,436,139 0.00% Wastewater Capital Improvement Surplus/(Deficit)                 254,694 (197,858)               (2,099,889) 142,291            (5,038,283) Wastewater Capital Improvement Expenditures by Department Non Department
21 Services ‐ ‐  ‐  ‐  ‐
29 Transfers ‐ ‐  ‐  ‐  ‐  0.00%
‐ ‐  ‐  ‐  ‐  0.00%
Public Works
21 Services 349,560                  717,858              14,600,341 3,842,748 13,436,139            100.00% 349,560 717,858              14,600,341 3,842,748 13,436,139            100.00% Total Expenditures $              349,560 $                 717,858 $           14,600,341 $ 3,842,748 $        13,436,139 ‐7.97% Estimated Fund Balance at June 30, 2023 $     (3,395,651) CITY OF ST. HELENA
Fund 763 ‐ Wastewater Capital Improvement Budget Worksheet 763 WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT: This fund is used to account for transactions as they relate to Wastewater Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
*Additional Funds will be approved Operating Transfers In from Wastewater Operations and General Fund as the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project progresses.

Budget Page 326
Agenda Item #5.1.

FY 19/20 FY 20/21 FY 21/22 FY 21/22 FY 22/23 FY 22/23
Actual Actual Budget Estimated Year End Adopted Budget % Change
Beginning Fund Balance (July 1) $        612,734 $             650,977 $                657,735 $ 657,735 $             605,841 Wastewater Impact Fees ‐ Revenues
Investment Earnings               7,275 4,342 7,500 5,500 7,500 0.00% Other Revenue               2,918 2,918 2,918 2,918 2,918 0.00% Wastewater Impact Fees             30,433 6,237 44,000 5,500 6,500 ‐85.23% Total Wastewater Impact Fees Revenues $          40,626 $               13,497 $ 54,418 $ 13,918 $               16,918 ‐68.91% Wastewater Impact Fees ‐ Expenditures
Totals by category
Services 133 6,739 1,843 547 1,296 ‐29.68%
Capital Equipment               2,250 ‐  ‐  ‐ ‐  0.00%
Transfer to other funds ‐ ‐  709,677 65,265                677,260 0.00% Total Wastewater Impact Fees Expenditures $            2,383 $                 6,739 $                711,520 $ 65,812 $             678,556 ‐4.63% Wastewater Impact Fees Surplus/(Deficit)             38,243 6,759 (657,102) (51,894)               (661,638) Wastewater Impact Fees Expenditures by Department
Non Department
29 Transfers ‐ ‐  709,677 65,265                677,260 0.00% ‐ ‐  709,677 65,265                677,260 0.00%
Finance
21 Services 133 6,739 1,843 547 1,296 ‐29.68%
133 6,739 1,843 547 1,296
Public Works
26 Capital               2,250 ‐  ‐  ‐ ‐  0.00%
2,250 ‐  ‐  ‐ ‐  0.00%
Total Expenditures $            2,383 $                 6,739 $                711,520 $ 65,812 $             678,556 ‐4.63% Estimated Fund Balance at June 30, 2023 $          (55,796) CITY OF ST. HELENA
Fund 774 ‐ Wastewater Impact Fees Budget Worksheet
774 WASTEWATER IMPACT: This fund was established to account for the costs of constructing and improving the wastewater treatment plant and sewer collection system in order to support new development.

Budget Page 326
Agenda Item #5.1.

This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Agenda Item #5.1.

June 2019
General Plan Update 2040
ST. HELENA
Agenda Item #5.1.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | i
acknowledgements
City Council
Geoff Ellsworth, Mayor
Paul Dohring, Vice-Mayor
Mary Koberstein
Anna Chouteau
David Knudsen
Planning Commission
Lester Hardy-Chairperson
John Ponte-Vice Chairperson
Autumn Anderson
Daniel Hale
Bobbi Monnette
City Staff
Mark Prestwich, City Manager
Noah Housh, Planning Director
Aaron Hecock, Senior Planner
Xinia Gamero, Administrative Assistant
Erica Smithies, Public Works Director
General Plan Update Initiation Committee
Sampson Bowers
Pat Dell
Sandra Ericson
Bonnie Long
Reuben Katz
Grace Kistner
Wayne Leong
Peter McCrea
Bill Savidge
Eric Sklar
Rex Stulz
Jerry Hyde
Joe Potter
General Plan Update Steering Committee
Anne Cottrell, Chair
Alan Galbraith
Grace Kistner
Bonnie Long
Tracy McBride
Peter McCrea
Mary Lou Peterson
Greg Pitts
Bill Savidge
John Sales, Co Chair
Bonnie Schoch
Eric Sklar
Josefina Valenzuela
Kirk Wrede
Susan Smith
Mary Agee
Alexander Barrett
Jack Bittner
Ann Nevero
Harry Sparrow
Special Thanks and Acknowledgements
Alan Galbraith, Former Mayor
Peter White, Former Vice-Mayor
Grace Kistner, former Planning Commission
Chairperson
Sarah Parker, former Planning Commission Vice
Chairperson
Tracy Sweeny, former Planning Commissioner
Consultant Staff
Victor Carniglia, Municipal Resources Group
Agenda Item #5.1.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | iii
table of
contents
1 Introduction

1.1 Overview .......................................................................................1-2

1.2 Regional Context..........................................................................1-5

1.3 Background and Setting...............................................................1-7

1.4 The Planning Area........................................................................1-8

1.5 Overall Vision............................................................................. 1-13

1.6 Role of the Plan.......................................................................... 1-16

1.7 Plan Development Process......................................................... 1-17

1.8 Overview of the General Plan ...................................................1-22

1.9 Related Planning Documents and Reference Materials .......... 1-28 2 Land Use and Growth Management

2.1 Purpose of the Element............................................................... 2-2

2.2 Community Development Framework ...................................... 2-3

2.3 Key Findings .............................................................................2-26

2.4 Goals .........................................................................................2-28

2.5 Policies and Implementing Actions .........................................2-29 3 Economic Sustainability

3.1 Purpose of the Element............................................................... 3-2

3.2 Economic Sustainability in St. Helena....................................... 3-3

3.3 Key Findings .............................................................................. 3-4

3.4 Goals............................................................................................ 3-7

3.5 Policies and Implementing Actions ......................................... 3-10 Agenda Item #5.1.

iv | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
4 Public Facilities and Services

4.1 Purpose of the Element............................................................... 4-2

4.2 Public Facilities and Services in St. Helena............................... 4-3

4.3 Key Findings ............................................................................ 4-18

4.4 Goals .........................................................................................4-22

4.5 Policies and Implementing Actions ......................................... 4-23 5 Circulation

5.1 Purpose of the Element............................................................... 5-2

5.2 Circulation and Mobility Framework for St. Helena................. 5-4

5.3 Key Findings .............................................................................. 5-6

5.4 St. Helena’s Circulation and Mobility Future ..........................5-13

5.5 Goals.......................................................................................... 5-29

5.6 Policies and Implementing Actions ..........................................5-31 6 Historic Resources

6.1 Purpose of the Element............................................................... 6-2

6.2 Historic Resources in St. Helena ............................................... 6-3

6.3 Key Findings ............................................................................. 6-10

6.4 Goals .........................................................................................6-12

6.5 Policies and Implementing Actions ..........................................6-14 7 Community Design

7.1 Purpose of the Element............................................................... 7-2

7.2 Rural Community Character in St. Helena................................ 7-3

7.3 Key Findings ............................................................................... 7-9

7.4 Goals...........................................................................................7-13

7.5 Policies and Implementing Actions...........................................7-15 Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | v
8 Open Space and Conservation

8.1 Purpose of the Element ..............................................................8-2

8.2 Open Space and Conservation in St. Helena.............................8-3

8.3 Key Findings ............................................................................. 8-16

8.4 Goals .........................................................................................8-20

8.5 Policies and Implementing Actions ......................................... 8-21 9 Public Health, Safety, and Noise

9.1 Purpose of the Element............................................................... 9-2

9.2 Public Health, Safety and Noise in St. Helena .......................... 9-3

9.3 Key Findings .............................................................................9-23

9.4 Goals .........................................................................................9-28

9.5 Policies and Implementing Actions .........................................9-29 10 Climate Change

10.1 Purpose of the Element........................................................... 10-2

10.2 Combating Climate Change in St. Helena.............................. 10-3

10.3 Key Findings ........................................................................... 10-8

10.4 Goals....................................................................................... 10-11

10.5 Policies and Implementing Actions.......................................10-13 11 Housing
The 2015 - 2023 Housing Element is a separate stand alone document, which consists of:
• Housing Element Update 2015-2023: Goals, Policies, and Eight-Year Action Plan
• Housing Element Update 2015-2023: Housing Needs Assessment A copy is available on the City’s website.

Agenda Item #5.1.

vi | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
12 Parks and Recreation

12.1 Purpose of the Element............................................................12-2

12.2 Parks and Recreation Framework for St. Helena ...................12-3

12.3 Key Findings...........................................................................12-12

12.4 Goals.......................................................................................12-14

12.5 Policies and Implementing Actions....................................... 12-15 13 Arts, Culture and Entertainment

13.1 Purpose of the Element............................................................13-2

13.2 Arts, Culture and Entertainment in St. Helena ......................13-3

13.3 Key Findings.............................................................................13-8

13.4 Goals........................................................................................13-11

13.5 Policies and Implementing Actions....................................... 13-12 Appendix A: Historic Resources List
Agenda Item #5.1.

introduction
chapter one
Agenda Item #5.1.

1-2 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
1 introduction
Increased mobility, economic
resilience, community health
and environmental sustainability are all important to the future of St. Helena.

1.1 Overview
The last comprehensive update of the City of St. Helena’s General Plan was completed in 1993, followed by adoption of a new zoning ordinance and map in 1994, to ensure consistency with the General Plan. The defining, unifying goal of all of the elements of the 1993 General Plan was:
“To protect the rural, small town quality and agricultural character of St. Helena. It is the General Plan’s intent that the preservation of this small-town character be the unifying philosophy that overlays all other stated goals and policies.” This goal remains a primary focus of the 2040 General Plan update. However, since the adoption of the 1993 Plan, new trends and topics have emerged as important elements of how people approach planning for their communities in the 21st century. Sustainability has become a fundamental principle for all scales of planning and development. The emergence of heritage tourism as an economic development strategy has led to the further integration of local business enhancement and the preservation of valuable cultural, historic, and natural resources. As an increasing focus is placed on how to decrease automobile use and vehicle miles traveled, strengthening pedestrian and bicycle connections has become critical to local mobility and access, and also an integral strategy for addressing climate change.
1 introduction
2 land use and growth
management
3 economic sustainability
4 public facilities and services
5 circulation
6 historic resources
7 community design
8 open space and
conservation
9 public health, safety and
noise
10 climate change
11 housing
12 parks and recreation
13 arts, culture and
entertainment
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 1-3
1 introduction
Additionally, the City of St. Helena has undergone significant changes since the General Plan was last updated in 1993. Napa Valley’s growing popularity as a tourist destination, coupled with increasing development pressures resulting from growth throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento Valley regions, has led to a strengthening of ongoing efforts to protect St.

Helena’s agricultural lands and small-town character. In addition, improvements to existing public facilities and infrastructure and the creation of new parks have helped to improve quality of life and enhance property values in the city and its surrounding areas.Topics such as local mobility, public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability are also important as residents plan for the future of this beautiful and truly unique town.

The St. Helena General Plan is a powerful policy and implementation tool designed to reflect these changes, respond to the community’s vision and desire for its future, and address changes anticipated to take place in the years to come.This introductory chapter to the St. Helena General Plan outlines the context, background, and role of the Plan, including an overview of the document’s elements.

Agenda Item #5.1.

1-4 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
1 introduction
Specific sections of the Introduction to the St. Helena General Plan include:
• 1.2 Regional Context. Provides an overview of St. Helena’s role and location in the region (p. 1-5). • 1.3 Background and Setting. Describes the City’s history and current setting (p. 1-7). • 1.4 Overall Vision. Defines St. Helena’s vision for the year 2040 (p. 1-12). • 1.5 Role of the Plan. Describes how the General Plan is used to set goals, policies, and implementing actions (p. 1-15).
• 1.6 Plan Development Process. Provides an overview of how the General Plan was developed (p. 1-16).
• 1.7 Overview of the General Plan. Provides an overview of the 13 elements of the General Plan and how each element is organized (p. 1-21). • 1.8 Related Planning Documents and Reference Materials. Lists the related planning documents and reference materials for the General Plan (p. 1-27).

Agenda Item #5.1.

1 introduction
The Napa Valley is known for
its diverse soils, microclimates,
and success as a center for
agriculture and the winemaking industry.

1.2 Regional Context
St. Helena is centrally located in Napa County and sits at the heart of the upper Napa Valley, a region known for its diverse soils, microclimates, and success as a center for agriculture and the wine-making industry. Located approximately 65 miles north of San Francisco and 77 miles west of Sacramento, the city is proximal to Northern California’s major urban centers. State Route 29 connects St. Helena to other communities in the Valley, including Calistoga to the north and Yountville, Napa, and American Canyon to the south (see Figure 1.1). The City serves as a commercial and business center for the surrounding towns and unincorporated areas, including Calistoga, Angwin, Deer Park, Rutherford, and the unincorporated area south of St. Helena.

The Coast Range north of the San Francisco and San Pablo bays consists of a series of mountains of moderate relief separated by northwest trending valleys. Nestled between the Mayacamas Mountains to the west and the Howell Mountains to the east, the Napa Valley is one of the major valleys of this region. St. Helena enjoys views of Mount St. Helena, a peak of the Mayacamas located in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, as well as many other hills and mountainsides.

The Napa Valley rests at the convergence of three California ecoregions: the north coast, the central valley, and the central coast. This unique location supports a diversity of biological resources and a particularly rich heritage of flora and fauna. According to the Land Trust of Napa County, Napa is one of the 25 most biologically diverse counties in the country. The Napa River runs from its origin in the northwest corner of the Valley through the eastern portion of St. Helena. The river begins as fresh water drainage on the southeast slope of Mount St. Helena and flows south to form a tidal estuary downstream of the City of Napa, where it discharges into the San Pablo Bay.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 1-5
Agenda Item #5.1.

1-6 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
1 introduction
101
116
101
12 12
121
121
37 29
128
128
116
1 12
29 121
80 680
780
29 2 0 M i l e R a d i u s
175
29 101
128
80 Healdsburg
Windsor
Santa Rosa
Rohnert
Park
Cotati
Sebastopol
Petaluma
Sonoma
Novato
Napa
Yountville
St. Helena
Calistoga
American
Canyon
Vallejo
Benicia
Rodeo Crockett
NAPA
MARIN
LAKE
San
Pablo
Bay
To m a l e s B a y
Graton
Forestville
Kenwood
Glen
Ellen
El Verano
Cordelia
Tomales
Pt Reyes
Station
Inverness
Ignacio
Lagoon
Valley
Boyes
Hot Springs
L a k e B e r r y e s s a
Pope
Valley
Angwin
SONOMA
SOLANO
Fairfield
Vacaville
YOLO
Middletown
0 2 10 20
MILES
Sources: Metropolitan Transportion Commision, 2001;
Green Info Network, 2001; Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program, California Department of Conservation; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018.

Urban Footprint
Figure 1.1
Regional Context
C
a l i f o r n i a
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 1-7
1 introduction

1.3 Background and Setting
Human settlement in the Napa Valley dates back thousands of years, when the Yukian people, originally established between the Russian River and Ukiah to the north, spread further south into present day Lake, Mendocino, and Napa counties. The Wappos, Pomos, and Patwins eventually encroached on the Yukian borders, becoming the largest group of Native Americans in the Napa Valley area.

The first Spanish missionaries arrived in the Valley in the 1830s. At the time of European settlement, the Central Wappo had settled permanently around present-day St. Helena. By 1831, between 10,000 and 12,000 Native Americans lived in the area, including approximately 7,000 Wappo. A hundred years later, only a tenth of this population remained.

In 1856, the area experienced its first development boom. The northern extension of the railroad eventually transformed the community into a commercial shipping center for the region. Growth was fueled largely by immigration from China and Europe, particularly Northern Italy and Switzerland, during the last half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Agriculture and the mining of mercury, or “cinnabar,” were key drivers of the economy during this period. Viticulture in St. Helena is known to have begun around 1875. The City was incorporated in 1876.

The town’s second period of intense construction took place during the end of the 19th century, with much of this growth concentrated along what is still known today as Main Street. Given its location in the heart of the wine-making region, St. Helena’s economy suffered during the Prohibition Era (1920-1933) and grew at a very slow place during subsequent decades. Eventually, wine tourism brought increased attention to St. Helena, resulting in residential and commercial construction and a growth in visitor-serving uses such as hotels, restaurants, and boutique retail establishments.

Many buildings in downtown
St. Helena were constructed
at the end of the 19th century.

Agenda Item #5.1.

1-8 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
1 introduction
Today, St. Helena is a town of approximately 5,900 residents bisected by State Route 29 (also known as Main Street) and surrounded by agricultural uses. The community stands out in the Valley for its unique, historic character and its ability to attract visitors while also supporting the needs of its resident population.

Major economic drivers in St. Helena include agriculture, wine-making, tourism, and education. Several wineries are located within St. Helena, providing jobs and economic benefits associated with tourism. Educational institutions located in the city, such as the Culinary Institute of America and the Napa Valley College Upper Valley Campus, provide jobs and educational opportunities for the area.

1.4 The Planning Area
The State of California encourages cities to look beyond their borders when preparing a General Plan, as issues are not necessarily confined to political boundaries. As shown in Figure 1.2, the Planning Area for the St. Helena General Plan includes the City limit, the Sphere of Influence and three study areas located adjacent to the City limits in unincorporated Napa County. In total, the Planning Area encompasses 3,594 acres of land.

St. Helena’s vision includes
guiding principles related to
a sustainable community, a
stable economy and environmental stewardship.

Agenda Item #5.1.

1 introduction
Chaix Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Mills Ln
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
York Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
Dean York Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
Money Way
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Railroad Ave
Pope St
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
Valley View Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
Pinot Way
Charter Oak Ave
Chiles Ave
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock Rd
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
·|}29
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulphur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Lodi Ln
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
Mountain View Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
Crane
Park
Wappo
Park
Jacob
Meily
Park
Lyman
Park
Parks and Open Space
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Figure 1.2
Planning Area
Data Source: City of St. Helena, 2018; Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000Feet
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Agenda Item #5.1.

1-10 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
1 introduction
The Sphere of influence (SOI) represents the probable physical boundaries and service area of a local agency, determined by the Napa County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) with input from the City. LAFCO establishes SOIs throughout the county that promote the orderly expansion of cities and special districts to avoid the premature conversion of agricultural and openspace lands and to ensure effective, efficient and economic provision of essential public services, including public sewer and water, fire protection and emergency response, and police protection. A city’s sphere of influence should reflect existing and planned service capacities. LAFCO reviews and updates SOIs as necessary every five years. Additionally, where warranted by special conditions and circumstances, the City may propose a limited change to the established SOI, referred to as an amendment, for consideration by LAFCO.

The City may prezone unincorporated territory adjoining the City for the purpose of determining the zoning that will apply to such property in the event of subsequent annexation to the City.

St. Helena’s Sphere of Influence and City limits are coterminous, encompassing a land area of 3,024 acres. The development pattern within this area includes an abundance of agricultural lands, business and industrial uses serving agricultural, single and multi-family residential neighborhoods, and a downtown that serves as the commercial center for the city and surrounding communities.

Existing land use (2018), as provided by the County Assessor’s parcel data, is provided in Figure 1.3. The existing land uses largely correspond to the existing and proposed General Plan land use designations, which reflects the fact that St. Helena is a largely built-out city.

Although St. Helena does not have jurisdiction in areas outside of its City limits, the City currently provides limited municipal services, including utility service, public safety services, and recreation opportunities, to the three adjacent study areas. As such, what happens in those areas bears a relation to the City’s planning and must be considered in the General Plan, per California Government Code Section 65300.

Honoring the historic and
agricultural character is a key
principle for the City’s General
Plan Vision.

Agenda Item #5.1.

1 introduction
Chaix Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Mills Ln
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
York Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
Dean York Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
Money Way
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Pope St
Railroad Ave
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
Valley View Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
Pinot Way
Charter Oak Ave
Chiles Ave
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock R d
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
·|}29
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulph ur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Lodi Ln
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
Mountain View Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
Ag/Rural Residential
Single Family Residential
Townhomes
Multi Family Residential
Mobile Home Park
Hotel/Lodging
Commercial
Office
Mixed Use
Industrial
Hospital/Health
Educational Facilities
Public/Quasi-Public
Religious/Institutional Facilities
Parks and Recreation
Open Space
Agriculture
Winery
Cemetery
Utilities
Vacant
Railroad ROW
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Data Source: City of St. Helena, 2018; Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000
Feet
Existing Land Uses
City of St. Helena

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Figure 1.3
Agenda Item #5.1.

1-12 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
1 introduction
The three study areas include:
• Study Area 1. This 165-acre area is located along the Napa River and includes residential development, the Meadowood Napa Valley resort, and City-owned utility infrastructure, including water tanks. The City provides water service to Meadowood and some of the residential development in the area.
• Study Area 2. Located south of Chaix Lane immediately adjacent to the southeastern City limit, this area of approximately 100 acres comprises the spray fields currently used to dispose of treated effluent from the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Study Area 3. Comprising parcels with existing commercial and residential development fronting State Route 29, this 185-acre area extends south from Chalk Lane to Zinfandel Lane. The City currently provides water utility service to many properties in this area, with the remaining structures relying on wells and individual septic systems of various ages and capacities.

The intent of including the three study areas within the Planning Area of the General Plan update is to document sensitive environmental resources and regulatory or capacity constraints associated with those areas in the General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in order to inform decision-makers and community members about associated issues and opportunities. The three study areas are shown in maps included in the Plan for informational purposes.

The principle of environmental
stewardship includes conservation, wastewater treatment, green building and emissions
reductions, among other considerations.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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1.5 Overall Vision
With an eye toward the future, while building on the assets of today, the community of St. Helena envisions that, in the year 2040, the town will be a wellintegrated place linked by effective community institutions, safe neighborhoods and streets, and superior schools, parks, and public facilities. In addition, planning for thoughtful, well-managed development, while maintaining its smalltown, rural character is of vital importance to St. Helena’s residents.

St. Helena’s broader vision is based on a common understanding of what it means to live and grow as a sustainable community, making decisions that allow the community to meet the social and economic needs of today, while allowing future generations to meet their own needs.

The following points support the vision and provide guiding principles for St.

Helena in 2040, as described previously in this chapter, for fostering a physically, socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable community.

Creating a sustainable community and stable economy
requires meeting basic needs
and providing opportunities
for current and future residents.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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OUR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY
St. Helena will preserve its history while managing change. Its traditions of diversity, citizen involvement, and responsive government will help the City plan for a sustainable future.
• More people who work in town will be able to afford to live in St. Helena in a wide range of innovative, well-designed housing, available for residents of all ages and income levels.
• St. Helena’s historic and agricultural character will be honored and protected.
• Expanded arts and cultural activities will continue to enrich community life. • High-quality schools and education for all ages will continue to be a focus of the community.
• St. Helena’s character will be strengthened through innovative design that maintains the scale and character of its existing neighborhoods. • Public spaces and civic facilities will be available for community gatherings, meeting the social and recreational needs of all ages and interests.

The Plan Development process
included several community
workshops and other public
participation and outreach
opportunities.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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OUR STABLE ECONOMY
St. Helena’s economy will meet the basic needs of residents, while balancing the benefits and impacts of visitors and provide better economic opportunities. • Central St. Helena will remain the social, cultural, and economic heart of town.
• More of residents’ daily needs will be met in the city by local businesses. • Vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian circulation improvements will provide transportation choices, reduce automobile traffic, and improve the quality of life in St. Helena.
• A combination of better regional connections and alternative modes of travel will improve circulation and traffic conditions, reducing congestion on Main Street.

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Environmental conservation, green choices, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions will be integrated into all areas of community decision making. • Through a combination of conservation and infrastructure improvements, water and wastewater treatment will meet the community’s needs. • Green buildings and infrastructure and renewable energy installations will reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. • The riparian corridors of the Napa River, Sulphur Creek, and York Creek will be restored as critical assets.
• Additional and improved parks, protected hillsides, agriculture, trees, locallygrown food, and community gardens will contribute to St. Helena’s sustainable community.

Phase I of the General Plan
process included an existing
conditions analysis.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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1.6 Role of the Plan
The St. Helena General Plan is the primary policy document for the City of St.

Helena as it moves toward the year 2040. It sets forth the City’s policies to guide future land use decisions and provides the needed framework to preserve the character and quality of development that the community desires.

The General Plan also helps to establish the processes by which the City’s evolution and changes to existing land uses will take place. The State of California requires that every city and county adopt a general plan to guide decisions related to the conservation of natural resources, the physical form and character of future development, and public welfare and safety. Local ordinances and other plans must be consistent with general plan policies. The St. Helena General Plan establishes the basis for St. Helena’s Zoning Ordinance, which serves as the legal regulatory code for land use and development within the City’s jurisdiction. An EIR outlining the impacts and associated mitigations of proposed land use, circulation, and other changes is required by State law to accompany the General Plan and be certified concurrently.

The General Plan is used in many ways. City planning staff refers to the General Plan when reviewing development proposals, to ensure that projects align with the community’s vision. Where public decisions impact the physical environment, the Planning Commission and City Council use the document to guide decision-making. Importantly, the General Plan empowers the City, public agencies that work with the City, and private developers to invest in and design for a future that will enhance the character of the community and sustain and improve the quality of life, in accordance with the values and goals defined in the Plan.

The goals, policies, and implementing actions set forth in this General Plan create no mandatory duty on the City’s part, except as may be explicitly required in the future by the State of California as a condition of approval of any mandatory element of the General Plan in order to satisfy State law. Rather, the goals, policies, and actions provide the foundation for the design and application of current and future policy tools, such as the City’s Urban Limit Line, Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 1-17
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design guidelines and form-based codes, and specific ordinances to protect St.

Helena’s wealth of resources. The City Council and staff will ultimately decide whether, as well as when and how, to carry out any goal, policy, or implementing action.

1.7 Plan Development Process
The St. Helena General Plan was developed in four stages:
• Phase I: Community Visioning and Existing Conditions Analysis; • Phase II: Policy and Physical Framework Development;
• Phase III: General Plan Development; and
• Phase IV: General Plan Completion, subsequent update of documents, and Adoption.

The City Council and Planning Commission provided overall direction, with the assistance of the General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC), and a multidisciplinary consultant team. The GPUSC, composed of St. Helena residents and elected and appointed officials, played an important advisory role throughout the Plan development process, and met regularly to review materials, share ideas and provide feedback.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Phase I. Community Visioning and Existing Conditions Analysis Phase I of the Plan development began in April 2007 and continued through February 2008. During this phase the GPUSC, supported by City staff and the consultant team, conducted a thorough analysis of existing conditions in St.

Helena. These efforts resulted in a series of working papers that collectively provided a comprehensive analysis of existing conditions and key policy issues.

Topics included the community vision, community character, circulation, economics, infrastructure, climate change, the natural environment, sustainability, and the regional context. These papers established a starting point for community and City discussion of key issues and opportunities. They also contributed to the body of analysis that served as the technical basis for development of the General Plan.

The Community visioning process, also led by the GPUSC, involved community residents, business owners, and agency and organization representatives.

Community engagement activities included a telephone survey, a series of workshops, and an open house and public forum. Each of these tools was dedicated to exploring the major issues and opportunities faced by St. Helena, and the desires of the community moving forward. This process resulted in a clear articulation of the community’s desire to build a sustainable future, reflected in its overall vision presented above.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 1-19
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Phase II. Policy and Physical Framework Development
Phase II of the General Plan Update process was initiated in October 2008.

During this phase, the City, the GPUSC, and the community worked actively to develop the General Plan goals, policies, and implementing actions. The City launched its General Plan Update website and began publication of regular e-newsletters to keep community members informed of the process. The GPUSC met regularly during this stage and hosted a “land use and design charrette” aimed at exploring key land use issues and opportunities.

The City and General Plan consultants worked closely during this phase to refine existing land use maps, review background policy and technical documents, and analyze the existing General Plan Physical Framework and Land Use Element. The outcomes of this effort included identification of potential land use change areas in the city and identification of the likely impacts of these changes.

Two separate but parallel processes began during Phase II: development of the 2009-2014 General Plan Housing Element and the Adams Street Property Visioning Project. The 2009-2014 Housing Element update process was led by a separate subcommittee, working under a shorter timeline than the process for updating the rest of the General Plan. The 2009-2014 Housing Element for St. Helena was completed in June 2009 and certified as complete by the Department of Housing and Community Development on October 15, 2009.

The Adams Street Property Visioning Project began in October 2008 and was completed in March 2009. The Adams Street Plan outlined the community vision for Adams Street and included an accompanying site plan and graphics.

Phase III. General Plan Development
In April 2009, the City began the process to develop the draft General Plan document. A series of eight GPUSC meetings was held to review drafts of the General Plan Elements. Two community workshops were held in fall 2009 to discuss community design and circulation. Additional community meetings were held in early 2010 to review the public draft Plan.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Phase IV. General Plan Completion and Adoption
Beginning in the summer of 2010 the fourth phase of plan development focused on preparing a Draft General Plan for review by the Planning Commission and the City Council. Following joint consideration with the City Council, the Planning Commission reviewed the General Plan, and recommended its approval to the City Council in October of 2010. The City Council considered the Planning Commission recommendations on October 26, 2010 and at a continued City Council meeting on November 9, 2010. At the November meeting, issues were raised primarily relating to water supply. After approving a number of changes, the City Council made a decision to recirculate the EIR.

This led to a complete re-examination of the City’s water supply and the establishment of the Safe Yield Committee.

The water evaluation also prompted the creation of a Water Management Program that the City Council adopted on November 13, 2012. Staff and the General Plan EIR consultant concluded that implementation of the Water Management Program would effectively mitigate potential impacts of growth from the Plan on the water supply. The City Council subsequently renewed its review of the General Plan.

As part of this renewed review process, the City Council held a number of publicly-noticed General Plan Workshops. These Workshops were held between the Fall of 2012 and the Summer of 2014. As part of this Workshop process, the City Council made a number of revisions to the text of the General Plan.

By June 2014 this thorough, element by element, review of the General Plan by the City Council was complete. As required by State law, the Planning Commission in September 2014 began its review of the various changes made to the General Plan by City Council as part of the Council 2012 to 2014 Workshop process. The Commission completed this review of the Council General Plan changes in December 2014. A concluding General Plan workshop was held by the City Council on September 8, 2015 prior to resuming formal public hearings on the General Plan and associated General Plan EIR. During the 2014 to 2015 General Plan Workshop process, the City completed its Agenda Item #5.1.

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required 2015 to 2023 update of the City Housing Element. After a number of hearings at the Planning Commission and City Council level, the City Council approved the Housing Element Update in May 2015. The Housing Element received State HCD approval in late May 2015. It is important to note that the recently approved 2015-2023 Housing Element is not being changed or modified as part of this 2016 General Plan update process.

Between April and August of 2016, the Planning Commission held six study sessions to review the 2016 draft of the General Plan Update. At the July 19, 2016, a compilation of the comments and direction concerning the General Plan taken from the preceding Commission Study Sessions was discussed at-length.

Following incorporation of the Planning Commission’s refinements to the 2010 draft described above, the General Plan Update was substantially complete, although some additional changes were necessary to ensure consistency and compliance with State law. In January 2018, the City began the effort to make these additional refinements and finalize the General Plan Update. Additional modifications include:
• An updated horizon year of 2040;
• Additional policies and actions to incorporate climate adaptation and resiliency strategies, including measures address wildfire hazards, flooding and infrastructure in at-risk areas, pursuant to Senate Bill 379 and other applicable laws. • Additional policies and actions to address relevant environmental justice issues, based on an analysis of data from the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool, pursuant to Senate Bill 1000 and other applicable laws.
• Updates to data, maps and text to ensure the use of the latest, publicly available information.

The City Council and Planning Commission held joint study sessions on February 20 and August 14, 2018 to review and discuss these further targeted updates to the 2010 draft.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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1.8 Overview of the General Plan
The St. Helena General Plan consists of 13 chapters: 12 elements and the Introduction. It should be noted that since the Housing Element is updated on a separate eight-year cycle, and was last updated in 2015, it is not included within this General Plan update, though it is referenced as Chapter 11 within the Plan. Each of the elements contained within the General Plan is critical to establishing the policy direction necessary to achieve the community’s vision of sustainability in land use and related activities over the next 20 years. State statutes require that local general plans include the following seven elements, at a minimum: Land Use, Housing, Circulation, Open Space, Noise, Safety, and Conservation. California general plan guidelines encourage jurisdictions to reorganize or combine elements as appropriate to improve clarity and eliminate redundancy in the document. In addition, jurisdictions may incorporate additional elements as needed to achieve the community’s vision and overarching goals. In order to respond to the community’s special needs and desires, the St.

Helena General Plan reorganizes some required plan components and incorporates several optional elements.

As stated in Section 1.6 of the General Plan, except as may be set forth in the Housing Element, the goals, policies, and implementing actions set forth in the General Plan create no mandatory duty on the City’s part.

Table 1.1 lists all elements of the St. Helena General Plan and illustrates which elements are required by State law and which are optional. As previously noted, the Housing Element, while part of the General Plan, is published as a “stand alone” element, and is not physically incorporated into this General Plan document.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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TABLE 1.1. Elements of the St. Helena General Plan
General Plan Element Required Optional
Land Use and Growth
Management •
Economic Sustainability •
Public Facilities and Services •
Circulation •
Historic Resources •
Community Design •
Open Space and Conservation •
Public Health, Safety and Noise •
Climate Change •
Housing •
Parks and Recreation •
Arts and Culture •
Agenda Item #5.1.

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ELEMENT ORGANIZATION
Each element of the St. Helena General Plan begins with a brief introduction and background on the specific subject matter. Graphs, tables, and maps are used to highlight key information and plan direction. In addition, each element contains a “Concepts, Trends and Ideas” sections describing recent innovations and concepts relevant to planning the future of St. Helena.

At the heart of each element of the St. Helena General Plan is a series of goals, policies, and implementing actions. Goals are statements that describe the broad, long-term aspirations of the City and community. Each goal in the Plan consists of a brief directive, which is followed by a narrative that provides further description of the preferred direction that the goal establishes. Policies provide the needed specificity or guidance for the City as it makes decisions.

Policy statements encourage certain actions and lay the foundation for the City to establish regulations, programs, and incentives, where needed, to achieve each goal. Implementing actions identify the specific steps required to implement policies and advance the goals.

OVERVIEW OF THE GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS
Chapter Two: Land Use and Growth Management
The Land Use and Growth Management Element presents a framework for governing future decisions about allowable, context-appropriate land use and desired development patterns. The framework aims to manage growth effectively while encouraging the use of innovative approaches, quality design, and infill strategies as the community evolves. Policies and actions in this Element draw from and build upon St. Helena’s distinct history and character, walkable and strong neighborhoods, and active downtown.

Chapter Three: Economic Sustainability
The Economic Sustainability Element is included in the General Plan in recognition of the important role that economic sustainability plays towards achieving St. Helena’s overall community vision of “meeting present needs without comAgenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 1-25
1 introduction
promising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” The guiding principles established in this Element provide the policy direction needed to develop a sustainable economy that is responsive to short-term and longerterm community concerns and objectives.

Chapter Four: Public Facilities and Services
The Public Facilities and Services Element sets forth policy guidance for the City’s provision of services, amenities, and infrastructure. This includes community service facilities, public utilities, and the required physical infrastructure for service and utility delivery. Policies related to public facilities and services follow from the key topics identified in this Element including: water, wastewater, storm drainage and flooding, solid waste, schools, libraries, fire, and police.

Chapter Five: Circulation
The Circulation Element establishes the policies needed to foster a comprehensive and multimodal transportation network that is well integrated with the City’s land use and growth management goals, policies, and actions. The Element identifies the principal components of the circulation system, as well as issues relating to parking, transit, and pedestrian and bicycle routes. Standards and guiding principles for the implementation of transportation facilities and infrastructure are also included.

Chapter Six: Historic Resources
The Historic Resources Element presents a framework for governing future decisions about protecting, rehabilitating, retrofitting, and adaptively reusing the City’s historic buildings. The intent of this Element is to establish the policies required to manage St. Helena’s historic assets in order to maintain the City’s sense of place and ensure that these assets can be enjoyed by current and future residents and visitors.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Chapter Seven: Community Design
The Community Design Element presents a framework of policies and implementing actions that correspond directly with other General Plan elements in determining the form, quality, and character of St. Helena’s built environment.

By respecting established neighborhoods and historic assets, this Element provides guidance to build upon St. Helena’s distinct history, while promoting new approaches to enhance future public and private development.

Chapter Eight: Open Space and Conservation
The Open Space and Conservation Element guides future decisions about how St. Helena will sustain a healthy network of open spaces and protect natural resources for today’s residents, as well as future generations. Element goals, policies, and implementing actions are designed to protect, maintain, and enhance St. Helena’s biological, ecological, and agricultural resources, while balancing current community resource needs with conservation endeavors to benefit the common good.

Chapter Nine: Public Health, Safety and Noise
The Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element presents a framework for minimizing risks posed by environmental and human-caused hazards that may impact St. Helena’s health and welfare. This Element aims to ensure that St. Helena’s residents, workers, and visitors are protected from negative exposure to flooding, fires, hazardous materials, air pollution, and geologic and seismic hazards.

Chapter Ten: Climate Change
The Climate Change Element is the City’s policy framework for responding to and planning for climate change. Goals, policies, and implementing actions presented in this Element address energy conservation, renewable energy production, and transportation. The policies and actions included in this Element align with the Napa Countywide Community Climate Action Framework and chart Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 1-27
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a course for responsible growth and sustainable business development that meets St. Helena’s specific needs.

Chapter Eleven: Housing
The Housing Element, which was adopted by the City and certified by the State in May 2015, establishes a comprehensive plan to address housing needs in St. Helena over the eight-year planning period between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2023. This Element sets the community goals and policies surrounding the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of housing units to meet the needs of St. Helena’s current and future residents. Every jurisdiction in the State of California is required to submit a Housing Element to the State HCD for review and certification. The adopted 2015 to 2023 Housing Element is not being modified as part of this General Plan update process. As previously noted, the Housing Element document is not physically included within this updated General Plan. The Housing Element is referenced in the General Plan as Chapter 11.

Chapter Twelve: Parks and Recreation
The Parks and Recreation Element presents a framework for developing and maintaining a comprehensive system of quality parks, pedestrian and bicycle trails, recreational facilities, and programs. It aims to ensure that management of parks and recreational programming supports community members’ health, entertainment, and high quality of life. Key to these efforts is creating and maintaining a network of bicycle and pedestrian trails that establishes connections between residential neighborhoods, parks, schools, and goods and services.

Chapter Thirteen: Arts, Culture and Entertainment
The Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Element aims to preserve and protect St.

Helena’s unique identity, heritage, and cultural resources; celebrate its vibrant community; and expand opportunities for arts enrichment. By providing policy support for City leadership, active community participation, and strategic partnerships, this Element seeks to integrate arts, culture, and entertainment into the community’s everyday life.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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1.9 Related Planning Documents and Reference Materials
The following documents are included in an appendix to the General Plan. • Historic Resources List
A copy of the General Plan Appendix is available separately on the City’s Web site, and a hard copy of the Appendix is available at City Hall. A copy of the General Plan Program EIR is also available on the City’s website.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 1-29
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CONCEPTS, TRENDS AND IDEAS
General Plan Update Steering Committee
The General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC)
played an invaluable role in ensuring that the updated
General Plan reflects the community’s desires and is
responsive to the needs of its residents. Composed of
City residents and appointed and elected officials, and supported by key City staff, the GPUSC began meeting in March 2007 to inform the update of the General Plan. Regular GPUSC meetings took place almost
monthly throughout the Plan development process
through 2010.

Community Workshops
The City hosted a number of community workshops
to provide the opportunity for community members
to share ideas, voice concerns, and give feedback on
Plan goals, policies, and objectives. The vision statement, which serves as the foundation for the General Plan was developed by the community during Phase I
of the update process.

Workshops in 2009 and 2010 focused on the development of land use, community design, and transportation concepts for the Plan and review of draft Plan components. Additional General Plan workshops, held
in 2014 and 2015, focused on changes to the General
Plan since the first full draft of the General Plan was completed in 2010.

Community Engagement and Plan Development
Agenda Item #5.1.

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The community has been involved throughout the plan
development process through community workshops,
telephone interviews, and online engagment.

Telephone Survey
Between June 25 and July 6, 2007, General Plan consultants conducted telephone interviews with 330 heads of households in St. Helena. Households were
contacted via random-digit-dialing based upon St.

Helena’s zip code, and potential respondents were
screened to ensure that they were full-time residents
of the City. The primary concern noted by respondents
was to ensure that the City of St. Helena continues
to support and address the needs of its residents. In
addition, most respondents noted that they would
also like St. Helena to maintain its small-town, rural
character.

General Plan Website
The St. Helena General Plan website established
an important online presence for the General Plan
Update, serving as the portal for community and
General Plan Update team members to access project-related information and materials. Individuals frequently used the online comment feature to submit their ideas, questions, and concerns to the project
team. While the City no longer maintains a website
devoted solely to the General Plan Update process,
a copy of the General Plan is available on the City’s
main website.

Agenda Item #5.1.

land use and
growth management
chapter two
Agenda Item #5.1.

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The Land Use and Growth
Management Element provides an outline for governing
future land use decisions and
development patterns.

2.1 Purpose of the Element
The Land Use and Growth Management Element presents a framework for governing future decisions about allowable, context-appropriate land use and desirable development patterns to maintain the small-town character of St.

Helena. This framework aims to effectively manage growth by drawing from and building upon the community’s distinct history, walkable and strong neighborhoods, and active downtown. The Land Use and Growth Management Element sets the stage for maintaining an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable St. Helena.

The Land Use and Growth Management Element includes the following sections.
• 2.2 Community Development Framework. Describes the framework for community development, including the growth management system and land use designations (p. 2-3).
• 2.3 Key Findings. Identifies key findings based on an existing conditions analysis and extensive community outreach (p. 2-26).
• 2.4 Goals. Defines overarching goals to guide policies and implementing actions (p. 2-28).
1 introduction
2 land use and growth
management
3 economic sustainability
4 public facilities and services
5 circulation
6 historic resources
7 community design
8 open space and
conservation
9 public health, safety and
noise
10 climate change
11 housing
12 parks and recreation
13 arts, culture and
entertainment
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-3
2 land use and growth management
• 2.5 Policies and Implementing Actions. Identifies policies and implementing actions to manage growth and maintain community character (p. 2-29).

2.2 Community Development Framework
Famous for its scenic Napa Valley location, fine wineries, and historic Main Street, St. Helena seeks to protect its small-town, agricultural character through a coordinated approach to growth management and land use planning. The City has developed an Urban Limit Line to control and limit development in order to ensure that prized agricultural and open space lands remain for future generations. In addition, it has crafted a land use designation system that works in tandem with its growth management goals, while allowing for targeted development in key areas and maintaining the character of its existing neighborhoods and central commercial areas. Following are detailed descriptions of the City’s land use designations, growth management system, and development capacity.

The increasing pressures to grow caused serious concern in the community during the 1970s and resulted in the creation of a Growth Management System in the late 1970s. Public workshops and a phone survey conducted for the 1993 General Plan Update indicated that the principal land use concern was the rate of growth in the city. The community was generally concerned that there would be a loss of charm and beauty, increased traffic conditions, and an inadequate water supply. For the 2040 General Plan Update, a phone survey, Town Hall meetings, and mail-in survey were conducted and found that the same issues still resonate in the community and addressing concerns regarding traffic congestion, inadequate water supply, and preservation of small-town character remain priorities in St. Helena. Therefore, the City should follow the long-standing philosophy that growth in St. Helena needs to be carefully managed to ensure that each of these decades-long public concerns are adequately addressed in future land use determinations.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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St. Helena seeks to protect its
small-town, agricultural character through a coordinated approach to growth management and land use planning.

LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Land in St. Helena is classified according to four broad land use categories:
• Residential Areas;
• Commercial and Mixed-use Areas;
• Business and Industrial Areas; and
• Community and Natural Resource Areas.

Within each of these categories, specific land use designations identify uses and the density and intensity of development allowed in each designation. Table

2.1 and Figure 2.1 outline the City’s land use designations. For quick comparison and reference, Figure 2.2 includes a menu of St. Helena’s land use designations, permitted building intensities and densities, and examples of potential building types for each land use designation.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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TABLE 2.1: General Plan Land Use Acreage
Land Use Designation Acres Percent of Total
Residential
Low Density Residential 97 3%
Medium Density Residential 409 13%
High Density Residential 83 3%
Subtotal 589 19%
Commercial and Mixed-Use
Mixed-Use 19 1%
Central Business 28 1%
Service Commercial 61 2%
Subtotal 108 4%
Business and Industrial
Office 15 0.5%
Industrial 60 2%
Subtotal 75 2.5%
Community and Natural Resource
Open Space 72 2%
Park 57 2%
Public and Quasi-Public 156 5%
Woodlands and Watershed 451 14%
Agriculture 1,451 46%
Subtotal 2,187 69%
Total 3,148 100%
Note: Acreage totals do not include public roadways.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2 land use and growth management
Chaix Ln
Mills Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
York Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
DeanYork Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
Money Way
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Pope St
Railroad Ave
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
Valley View Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
PinotWay
Charter Oak Ave
ChilesAve
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock R d
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
·|}29
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulph ur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Lodi Ln
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
MountainView Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
Data Source: City of St.Helena, 2018;Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000
Feet

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a
Figure 2.1
Proposed Land Use Diagram
St. Helena General Plan
Low Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
High Density Residential
Central Business
Service Commercial
Mixed-Use
Office
Industrial
Public and Quasi-Public
Parks and Recreation
Agriculture
Open Space
Woodlands andWatershed
Napa County General Plan
Agricultural Resource
Agriculture,Watershed and Open
Railroad
Water Features
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
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Caption.

FIGURE 2.2: General Plan Land Use Menu
Land Use Category Density/
Intensity Examples
Low Density Residential (LDR):

Single-family detached homes, secondary residential units and limited agricultural uses.

1.0 to 5.0
dwelling
units per
acre
Medium Density Residential
(MDR): Single-family detached and
attached homes, and secondary
residential units.

5.1 to 16.0
dwelling
units
per acre
Higher Density Residential (HDR):

Single-family and multi-family housing, including apartments, townhouses and group homes.

16.1 to 28.0
dwelling
units
per acre
Mixed-Use (MU): Medium density
residential mixed with retail, office,
restaurant or other local-serving
uses.

Up to 20
dwelling
units
per acre
Central Business (CB): Retail and
commercial businesses that serve
residents and visitors, including restaurants, lodging, retail, office, etc.

Maximum
FAR 2.0
Service Commercial (SC): Retail
and service uses that are localserving and may be auto-oriented, including offices, restaurants, service stations, etc.

Maximum
FAR 0.50
Notes: Dwelling units per acre (du/ac) describes residential building density. Floor area ratio (FAR) denotes building intensity for non-residential uses.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2-8 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
2 land use and growth management
Land Use Category Density/
Intensity Examples
Business and Professional Office
(BPO): Administration and professional office uses, including medical, financial, etc. Maximum FAR 0.50
Industrial (I): Industrial parks, warehouses, light manufacturing, auto and farm-related uses.

Maximum
FAR 0.50
Woodland and Watershed (WW):

Very low density residential that
ensures protection of wildlife, vegetation, open space and watershed resources.

Minimum
parcel size
5 acres
Agriculture (AG): Agricultural and
winery uses with restricted singlefamily residential.

Minimum
parcel size
5 to 40
acres
Public/Quasi-Public (PQP):

Government-owned facilities,
schools, churches, cemeteries, etc.

Maximum
FAR 0.50
Parks and Recreation (PR): Parks
with public recreation uses. N/A
Open Space (OS): Natural open
spaces devoted to natural resource
preservation and management, outdoor recreation, public health and safety.

N/A
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-9
22 land use and growth management land use and growth management There are a variety of residential densities including single family, multi-family
and secondary dwelling
units.

Residential Areas
St. Helena has a variety of residential areas that include single family, multifamily, and secondary residential housing options. These neighborhoods support a range of lifestyles at a broad spectrum of household income levels. Higher density infill development can expand housing options citywide, but the impact to neighborhoods with regard to traffic, parking, and public safety - where difficult fire access, roads with parking on both sides, and sidewalks without street separation can result in accidents - should be carefully considered. The creation of mixed-use areas with retail in the heart of the city can also increase housing options. Residential land use designations should encourage the development of accessible and diverse neighborhoods, where appropriate. Figure 2.3 highlights residential areas. • Low Density Residential (LDR). The LDR land use designation includes single-family detached homes, accessory dwelling units (sometimes referred to as “second units”), limited agricultural uses, and similar and compatible uses. This designation permits residential densities between 1.0 and 5.0 dwelling units per acre. The LDR designation applies to limited areas of the city with large, residentially-subdivided parcels, particularly those near the city’s perimeter.
• Medium Density Residential (MDR). The MDR land use designation includes single-family attached and detached homes, and compatible uses.

This designation permits residential densities between 5.1 and 16.0 dwelling units per acre. Retained from the 1993 General Plan, the MDR designation is the City’s predominant residential designation and it is intended to maintain a development pattern in St. Helena’s higher density areas that is consistent with historic development patterns.
• Higher Density Residential (HDR). The HDR land use designation can accommodate single-family and multi-family residential housing, apartments, and group quarters. This designation permits residential densities between

16.1 and 28.0 dwelling units per acre.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2 land use and growth management
Chaix Ln
Mills Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
York Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
DeanYork Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
Money Way
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Pope St
Railroad Ave
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
Valley View Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
PinotWay
Charter Oak Ave
ChilesAve
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock R d
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
·|}29
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulph ur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Lodi Ln
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
MountainView Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
Data Source: City of St.Helena, 2018;Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000
Feet

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a
Figure 2.3
Residential Areas
Low Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
High Density Residential
Railroad
Water Features
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-11
2 land use and growth management
Commercial uses include
restaurants, cafes, retail
and offices.

Commercial and Mixed-Use Areas
St. Helena has a number of commercial areas that provide retail and commercial services. Businesses serve tourists, city residents, and residents of the unincorporated agricultural areas who have traditionally traveled to St. Helena to shop for goods and services. In the city’s historic Central Business District, a small amount of higher-density, mixed-use development that is context appropriate can expand housing options while also supporting additional retail and commercial services. Figure 2.4 highlights commercial and mixed-use areas. • Mixed-Use (MU). The MU land use designation allows medium- to high-density residential mixed with retail, office, restaurant, or other commercial uses.

The maximum allowable residential density in MU areas is 20 dwelling units per acre. The intent of this land use designation is to protect the Urban Limit Line by encouraging a mix of uses at infill locations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by locating housing opportunities within close proximity to commercial and retail.
• Central Business (CB). The CB land use designation includes retail and commercial uses that serve local residents and the surrounding area. Typical CB uses include offices, restaurants, specialty retail and lodging, with particular emphasis on pedestrian-oriented retail and service uses on the ground floor level and offices located on upper floors. Residential uses can be considered for upper floor areas but are subject to discretionary use permit review and approval. The maximum allowable FAR in CB-designated areas is 2.0.

The CB district extends from Sulphur Creek along Main Street to midway between Adams Street and Pine Street, west to Oak Avenue and along the north side of Adams Street east of Main Street.
• Service Commercial (SC). The SC land use designation includes service and retail uses that have larger space needs than are available in the Central Business District. Potential SC uses include offices, restaurants, service stations, and lodging, with a maximum allowable FAR of 0.50. The SC designation includes areas fronting State Route 29/Main Street south of Sulphur Creek.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2 land use and growth management
Chaix Ln
Mills Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
York Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
DeanYork Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
Money Way
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Pope St
Railroad Ave
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
Valley View Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
PinotWay
Charter Oak Ave
ChilesAve
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock R d
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
·|}29
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulph ur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Lodi Ln
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
MountainView Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
Data Source: City of St.Helena, 2018;Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000
Feet

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a
Figure 2.4
Commercial and Mixed-Use Areas
Central Business
Service Commercial
Mixed-Use
Railroad
Water Features
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-13
2 land use and growth management
Industrial areas provide
important locations for light
manufacturing and agriculture-related uses.

Business and Industrial Areas
St. Helena has limited areas designated for business and industrial uses. These uses are important to the community’s economic health, serving St. Helena residents as well as residents and businesses in the surrounding unincorporated areas. Figure 2.5 highlights business and industrial areas. • Business and Professional Office (BPO). The BPO designation allows for professional and administrative office uses, including medical, financial, and similar uses. Residential uses in this designation can be considered for upper floor areas, subject to discretionary use permit review and approval. The maximum allowable FAR is 0.50. BPO areas are located throughout the city and provide a compatible, transitional use between commercial and residential areas. • Industrial (I). The Industrial land use designation includes industrial parks, warehouses, light manufacturing, and auto and farm-related uses. The maximum allowable FAR is 0.50. Industrial areas are located south of Mills Lane and east of State Route 29; along Sulphur Creek between State Route 29 and Valleyview Street; and east of State Route 29, south of Mills Lane. An Urban Reserve Area is designated to the east of the existing industrial area south of Dowdell Lane for future expansion of this area.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2 land use and growth management
Chaix Ln
Mills Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
York Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
DeanYork Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
MoneyWay
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Pope St
Railroad Ave
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
ValleyView Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
PinotWay
Charter Oak Ave
Chiles Ave
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock Rd
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
·|}29
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulphur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Lodi Ln
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
MountainView Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
Data Source: City of St. Helena, 2018;Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000
Feet

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a
Figure 2.5
Business and Industrial Areas
Office
Industrial
Railroad
Water Features
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-15
2 land use and growth management
Agriculture designations make
up more than 48% of the land
within the City.

Community and Natural Resource Areas
St. Helena has a wide range of agriculture, parks, open spaces, and civic uses that serve a diverse range of community needs. Natural areas, such as the creeks and hills, offer opportunities for preservation and conservation. Public facilities provide opportunities for social and community development. Land use planning should aim to improve these amenities and enhance accessibility for all city residents. Figure 2.6 highlights community and natural resource areas. • Woodland and Watershed (WW). The WW designation includes very low density residential that ensures the protection of wildlife, vegetation, open space, and watershed resources. This designation applies to steep hillsides at the city’s westernmost and easternmost boundaries, with the intent to accommodate low-density, estate type development in locations that are less suitable for agricultural use. The minimum allowable parcel size is five acres.
• Agriculture (AG). The AG land use designation includes agricultural and winery uses with restricted single family residential and public/quasi-public uses. This designation applies to large areas of the valley floor that surround the city’s urban core. With the exception of hillside areas designated WW, all lands outside the Urban Limit Line are designated AG regardless of their size or actual use. Minimum parcel sizes for new parcels in AG areas range from 20 to 40 acres. However, wineries in AG land may utilize a small portion of onsite land for provision of affordable employee housing thus alleviating some of the low and moderate housing needs in the city, while simultaneously reducing commute traffic. • Public/Quasi-Public (PQP). The PQP land use designation provides for government-owned facilities, public and private schools, and quasi-public uses such as churches, community/public serving endeavors, and cemeteries. The maximum FAR for the PQP designation is 0.50. The PQP designation occurs throughout the city, and includes the City library, all of the public schools, some of the private schools, all churches, cemeteries, and the City-owned wastewater treatment plant.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2 land use and growth management
Chaix Ln
Mills Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
York Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
DeanYork Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
MoneyWay
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Pope St
Railroad Ave
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
ValleyView Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
PinotWay
Charter Oak Ave
Chiles Ave
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock Rd
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
·|}29
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulphur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Lodi Ln
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
MountainView Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
Data Source: City of St. Helena, 2018;Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000
Feet

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a
Figure 2.6
Community and Natural Resource Areas
St. Helena General Plan
Public and Quasi-Public
Parks and Recreation
Agriculture
Open Space
Woodlands andWatershed
Napa County General Plan
Agricultural Resource
Agriculture,Watershed and
Open Space
Railroad
Water Features
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-17
2 land use and growth management
• Parks and Recreation (PR). The PR land use designation includes public parks with recreation uses. It applies to all existing public parks and proposed park sites. • Open Space (OS). The OS designation includes open spaces that are devoted to natural resource preservation and management, passive outdoor recreation, multi-use trails, public health, and safety. All OS areas are associated with stream corridors that pass through or are adjacent to the city, including the Napa River, Sulphur Creek, and York Creek. Roads are part of Open Space, but are not contributors to natural resource, public health, recreation, etc. as stated above.

GROWTH MANAGEMENT
St. Helena aims to contain development and preserve agricultural lands in and adjacent to the city. Tools for accomplishing this include the Urban Limit Line, designated Urban Reserve Areas, and the Residential Growth Management System. Figure 2.7 illustrates St. Helena’s Urban Limit Line and Urban Reserve Areas.

Urban Limit Line
The Urban Limit Line is a parcel-specific boundary that marks the limit of where urban development is permitted within the incorporated area of St. Helena. The intent of the Urban Limit Line is to discourage urban sprawl by containing urban development within designated areas during the planning period (see Figure

2.7).

Land outside the Urban Limit Line, but inside the incorporated area, is designated for agricultural uses. Given the long-term nature of the General Plan and the potential for unforeseen circumstances, the Plan anticipates the potential need to expand the urban area by identifying Urban Reserve Areas.

Urban Reserve Areas
Urban Reserve Areas can be considered for urban development after urban sections within the Urban Limit Line are developed and if additional land is needed The Urban Limit Line marks
the limit of where development
is permitted.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2 land use and growth management
Chaix Ln
Mills Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
York Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
DeanYork Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
MoneyWay
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Pope St
Railroad Ave
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
ValleyView Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
PinotWay
Charter Oak Ave
Chiles Ave
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock Rd
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
·|}29
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulphur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Lodi Ln
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
MountainView Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
Crane
Park
Wappo
Park
Jacob
Meily
Park
Lyman
Park
Data Source: City of St. Helena, 2018;Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000
Feet
Urban Limit Line
Urban Reserve Areas
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Railroad
Parks and Open Space
Water Features

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a
Figure 2.7
Urban Limit Line and Urban Reserve Areas
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-19
2 land use and growth management
for urban uses. The Urban Reserve Areas, which are contiguous with the existing urban area, have been carefully located to encourage thoughtful, measured growth and to ensure that further urban development will maintain the compact development pattern desired by the community.

Urban Reserve Areas are all designated Agricultural (AG) and are expected to remain in agricultural use or undeveloped for the foreseeable future. Zoning in the Urban Reserve Areas will be the same as in other areas designated for agriculture.

Zoning changes of any specific Urban Reserve Areas will be determined by the City Council at the time of incorporation within the Urban Limit Line. Such changes will depend upon many factors, including: compatibility with existing or proposed surrounding uses; availability of services; demand for the proposed uses; the availability of other suitable areas; and the agricultural resource value of the land.

Locational suitability and timing will be considered when considering changes to the Urban Limit Line and incorporation of Urban Reserve Areas. Requests for expansion of the Urban Limit Line will be considered in logical groupings that reflect the best long-term interests of the City, and will not be considered on a parcel-by-parcel basis, or in a manner that would permit non-contiguous development.

Residential Growth Management System (GMS)
The Residential Growth Management System limits (GMS) the number of building permits available for residential growth each year. That limit, as of the time of the General Plan update in 2018 is nine (9) residential units/year, with exceptions given for affordable housing, accessory dwelling units, and in other circumstances as spelled out in the City’s implementing Growth Management Ordinance. The City, as part of its periodic review of the GMS, should consider the assigned Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) number for a given Housing Element cycle when establishing limits. This will help to ensure consistency with the larger Bay Area’s growth direction which encourages development in Priority Development Areas (PDAs) near transit and job centers. The regional growth strategy indicates that development outside the PDAs encourages sprawl, and contributes to traffic congestion and environmental impacts such as reduced air quality and loss of open space and Agricultural lands. No PDAs have been established in St. Helena.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2-20 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
2 land use and growth management
A growth strategy principle
is to maintain high-quality
design and community
character.

GENERAL PLAN STRATEGY
The General Plan strategy presents an outline for the evolution of the city. This strategy is grounded in a set of planning principles and identifies key General Plan Change Areas and land use capacity in those areas. Each of these topics is described in more detail below.

Growth Strategy Principles
The principles for guiding future growth in St. Helena are based upon the city’s unique development pattern, vision for a sustainable future and its growth management. The following planning principles apply to the land use development strategy:
• Protect agricultural lands located outside the Urban Limit Line. • Preserve agriculture, green, and open space within the Urban Limit Line to ensure the city maintains a rural and small-town character with sufficient “fingers of green”, particularly in light of St. Helena’s longstanding significant inadequacy of park land. (See Parks and Recreation Element). • Focus new residential and commercial growth inward on appropriate infill sites.
• Maintain community character by requiring high-quality design and by avoiding “big box” development patterns and styles for commercial, industrial, and residential growth. • Ensure that growth is sustainable for the long term and does not strain natural resources, services, or quality of life.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-21
2 land use and growth management
General Plan Change Areas
During the General Plan Update process 13 sites were identified for land use change, including sites for Mixed-Use, which is a new land use designation.

These sites are located within the Urban Limit Line (with some minor shifts) and include parcels with commercial, mixed-use, and residential designations.

Figure 2.8 shows the land use change areas that correspond to the list below.

1. Adams Street and Library Lane (5.66 acres): The proposed development program for the Adams Street property involves designating the entire site, with the exception of the library, as Central Business District. The library site will remain Public/Quasi Public. A modification of the Urban Limit Line is also proposed, which will increase the developable area by 2.83 acres and orient development along Adams Street.

2. Main Street, Spring Street and Oak Avenue (2.61 acres): M=Mixed-Use is proposed for this area to allow a mix of commercial, office, and residential development.

3. Mitchell Drive and Oak Avenue-Northwest (2.04 acres): High Density Residential is proposed for this area to allow for higher density development within walking distance to downtown.

4. Mitchell Drive and Oak Avenue-Southeast Side (1.58 acres): Mixed-Use is proposed for this area to allow a mix of commercial, office, and residential development.

5. Main Street and Charter Oak Avenue (12.12 acres): Mixed-Use is proposed for the eastern portion of the parcel and Industrial for the western portion of the property.

6. Main Street and Vidovich Avenue (14.44 acres): This parcel has a MixedUse General Plan land use designation, and the Vineland Station Hotel Project, a mixed-use project, has been approved for the location.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2 land use and growth management
Chaix Ln
Mills Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
York Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
DeanYork Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
Money Way
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Pope St
Railroad Ave
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
Valley View Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
PinotWay
Charter Oak Ave
ChilesAve
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock R d
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
·|}29
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulph ur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Lodi Ln
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
MountainView Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
"
"
"
"
"
Data Source: City of St.Helena, 2018;Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000
Feet

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a
Change Areas
St. Helena Land Use
Low Density Residential
Medium Density Residential
High Density Residential
Central Business
Service Commercial
Mixed-Use
Office
Industrial
Public and Quasi-Public
Parks and Recreation
Agriculture
Open Space
Woodlands andWatershed
Napa County Land Use
Agricultural Resource
Agriculture,Watershed and
Open Space
Railroad
Water Features
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
11 1
10 12
2 7
3 4
5 6
8 9
Figure 2.8
Land Use Change Areas
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-23
2 land use and growth management

7. Spring Street and St. James Drive (4.65 acres): Medium Density Residential is proposed for this area to accurately reflect existing densities.

8. Grayson Avenue (7.01 Acres): Medium Density Residential is proposed on these parcels to allow more flexibility in density for this area.

9. West end of Spring Street (14.31 acres): This area includes a modification to the Urban Limit Line and an identical shift expanding the Low Density Residential area by 1.49 acres. This change is made to better reflect the flat portion of this parcel.

10. Flood Control Project Site (15.7 acres): Redesignate this parcel (the flood control project site) from Medium Density Residential to Open Space.

11. Railroad Avenue (4 parcels): Adjust the General Plan designation for parcels 1547 to 1569 on Railroad Avenue from Medium Density Residential to Mixed-Use.

12. City Hall Site: The Central Business District (CBD) designation is proposed for the property where City Hall is currently located.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2 land use and growth management
2-24 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
The Relationship between Land Use and Zoning
The General Plan Land Use and Growth Management
Element establishes a broad vision and framework
for land use in St. Helena. It sets forth policies and
implementing actions that are intended to guide
local decision-makers over the life of the Plan. In contrast, the Zoning Ordinance details specific standards and design guidelines to regulate development. The
functions of these two planning tools are described in
further detail below.

St. Helena’s Land Use and Growth Management
Element
• Defines and locates land uses throughout the City.
• Specifies acceptable building heights and densities
per land use type.
• Describes the intent and direction of St. Helena’s
growth.
• Includes overarching, citywide development principles, goals and policies to achieve a high quality built environment.

St. Helena’s Zoning Ordinance
• Regulates density (number of residential dwelling units per acre) and intensity (floor area ratio) of development.
• Specifies standards for site design, including open
space, building orientation, massing, setbacks and
relationship to the street and adjacent properties,
parking requirements, and elevation.
• Provides incentives for affordable housing.
• Establishes allowed and prohibited uses.

CONCEPTS, TRENDS AND IDEAS
Chaix Ln
Mills Ln
Fir Hill Dr
Melrose Ln
Meadowood Ln
Fulton Ln
Tokay Ln
DeanYork Ln
W heeler Ln
Inglewood Ave
La Fata St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Davis Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Tainter St
Stanton Dr
Contento Ln
Edwards St
MoneyWay
Del Rio Ct
Boyson Ln
Mccormick St
Pope St
Railroad Ave
Starr Ave
N Crane Ave
Kearney St
Hollis Ln
Palmer Dr
Stice Ln
Vineyard Ave
Allyn Ave
ValleyView Ave
Hillview Pl
Hudson Ave
Mitchell Dr
Allison Ave
Hunt Ave
Elmhurst Ave
PinotWay
Charter Oak Ave
Chiles Ave
Madrona Ave
Dowdell Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Big Rock Rd
·|}29
College Ave
Deer Park Rd
Sylvaner Ave
White Ln
Spring Mountain Rd
Fawn Park Rd
Spring St
Silverado Trail
Oak Ave
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
Stockton St
Madrona Ave Spring St
Howell Mounta ni Rd
Sulphur Springs Ave
Adams St
Pratt Ave
Grayson Ave
Silverado Trail
Howell Mountain Rd
Stockton St
Silverado Trail
Vineland Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
MountainView Ave
Park St
Hudson Ave
Garden Ave
Con n Valley
Rd
Vallejo St
Scott St
Charter Oak Ave
f St. Helena, 2018;Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 2,000 4,000
Feet

L PLAN UPDATE
f S t H e l e n a
Figure 2.1
Proposed Land Use Diagram
neral Plan
sity Residential
Density Residential
nsity Residential
Business
Commercial
se
Office
Industrial
Public and Quasi-Public
Parks and Recreation
Agriculture
Open Space
Woodlands andWatershed
Napa County General Plan
Agricultural Resource
Agriculture,Watershed and Open
Space
Railroad
Water Features
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-25
2 land use and growth management
Land Use Capacity
Several factors contribute to managing and guiding new growth in St. Helena.

The General Plan Land Use and Zoning maps describe where different land uses are permitted and the intensity of development that may be allowed. The Land Use Change Areas map (Figure 2.8) and Housing Opportunity Site map (see Housing Element Figure 1.0) present locations where new development is likely to occur in the next 20 years. The Growth Management System limits the allowed number of new residential permits to a maximum of nine (9) new residential units per year. That represents a total of 72 units over the eight-year term of the Housing Element, which exceeds the City’s 2015 to 2023 RHNA allotment of 31 total residential units. Established by the State of California in 1969, RHNA requirements directly influence how St. Helena considers population growth. The State Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) works with the various regional Councils of Governments (COGs) throughout the state to identify and allocate the supply of housing necessary to meet the existing and projected growth in population and households in California (also see the Housing Element).

St. Helena functions as a service center for surrounding towns and unincorporated
areas.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2-26 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
2 land use and growth management

2.3 Key Findings
There are several challenges and opportunities facing St. Helena related to land use and growth management. The following key findings are based upon comprehensive existing conditions analysis and community input. • Regional growth forecasts prepared by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) in 2013 anticipate that St. Helena will add 400 new residents between 2015 and 2040. The City should be aware of long-term population projections when developing General Plan land use policies. • The City’s Residential Growth Management System limits residential growth in order to protect agricultural land and ensure that the City can provide adequate public services, natural resources, and infrastructure necessary to meet increased need.
• St. Helena experiences high commercial rents and, except for the 2008 and 2009 recession, relatively high demand for additional commercial and office space in the city. The demand for office space is again increasing, and commercial rents are increasing as a result. • There are a number of light industrial and commercial areas with a potential for development or redevelopment, particularly in the vicinity of State Route 29 south of Sulphur Creek.
• In February 2005, the City adopted the Highway 29 Specific Plan, which outlines circulation changes, roadways extensions, traffic signal installations, and streetscape improvements along the State Route 29 corridor west of the Sulphur Creek Bridge.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-27
2 land use and growth management
• Despite its relatively small population, St. Helena functions as a service center, and provides public services for surrounding towns and unincorporated areas, including Meadowood, Madrone Knoll, Calistoga, Angwin, Deer Park, Rutherford, and the unincorporated area south of St. Helena. Through efficient land use planning, the City can ensure that St. Helena continues to serve this function while meeting the needs of its residents. • Land use changes and development in the unincorporated areas adjacent to the city limits can have a significant impact on St. Helena. Close coordination with Napa County is essential for managing adverse impacts on St.

Helena and coordinating City planning efforts accordingly. • St. Helena has been successful in preserving agricultural lands within the city limits. The California Department of Conservation and Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program identifies only one significant incidence of land converted from farmland to an urbanized use, which was the conversion of eight acres of farmland into an expansion of Crane Park. County-wide, most agricultural land conversions have been from rangeland or lower-value uses, such as orchards, to vineyards for wine production.

Agenda Item #5.1.

2 land use and growth management
2-28 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
2 land use and growth management

2.4 Goals
The goals of the Land Use and Growth Management Element are:

Manage Growth and Maintain Community Character.

St. Helena is committed to preserving its existing community character, maintaining agricultural lands, managing growth and the impacts of tourism, and ensuring that adequate infrastructure and facilities are provided.

Promote High-Quality and Sustainable Development.

St. Helena is dedicated to a high standard of quality, economic viability and ecological sustainability with respect to the design, planning, and construction of new and renovated public and private facilities.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-29
2 land use and growth management

2.5 Policies and Implementing Actions
A range of policies and implementing actions are outlined below and organized into the following topic areas:

1. Growth Management;

2. Residential Neighborhoods;

3. Commercial Districts;

4. Industrial Districts;

5. Agricultural Uses; and

6. Public Facilities.

The following policies and actions mandate, encourage, or allow certain initiatives to be pursued throughout the duration of the General Plan. Together, they serve as strategic directions for City staff and partners, highlighting where time and resources should be focused.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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2-30 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
Policies
LU1.1 Require new development to occur within well-defined boundaries and be consistent with the ability to provide urban services. New development should mitigate infrastructure impacts by using sustainable, best management practices in green building and stormwater management and paying its share of development impact fees, while minimizing impacts on sewer, water, energy, and natural resources.

LU1.2 Allow urban development to occur only within the Urban Limit Line.

Consider an exception for on-site employee housing on Agricultural lands.

Urban services, such as sewer, water, and storm drainage, will only be extended to development within the Urban Limit Line.

The Urban Limit Line may only expand when the amount of developable land within the Urban Limit Line is insufficient to implement the General Plan policies or when logical to include developed lands receiving urban services from the City. Expansion outside the Urban Limit Line should first be considered in Urban Reserve Areas. Expansion into other areas outside the Urban Limit Line should be considered only when the proposed land use is found to further the goals and long-term objectives of the City and does not result in adverse impacts to adjacent uses in either the urban or rural areas.
1 GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Agenda Item #5.1.

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ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-31
Infill development is encouraged in order to postpone
the need for expansion of the
Urban Limit Line.

LU1.3 Support agricultural and low-intensity uses beyond the Urban Limit Line.

LU1.4 In order to minimize and postpone the need for expansion of the Urban Limit Line, encourage infill development within currently developed areas.

LU1.5 Require new development to provide adequate infrastructure and urban services, including compliance with the policies and implementing actions affecting new development as set forth in the Public Facilities and Services Element.

LU1.6 Support the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized sites within the downtown area with mixed-use development opportunities. Encouraging infill development with a mix of uses will support a pedestrian-oriented, vibrant retail and commercial district that is centrally located and easily accessible to residents and neighborhoods.

LU1.7 Continue to limit the approval of market rate residential development to the maximum allowed under the Growth Management System. Regulated affordable units and second units are exempt from this limitation. 1 GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2-32 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
Implementing Actions
LU1.A In order to increase residential density and housing availability without requiring an extension of the Urban Limit Line, allow the conversion of singlefamily homes in central locations to duplexes or triplexes under appropriate circumstances and where the homes are in medium and high density zoning districts. Update the Zoning Code to implement this policy.

LU1.B Rezone appropriate sites with land use designations such as Central Business, Service Commercial, and Mixed-Use, in accordance with the General Plan Land Use Map. Include provisions to allow for compatible uses on the same site, either in one structure or adjacent structures. The mix of uses can be vertical or horizontal and can include attached residential development in keeping with the integrity of historic structures and historic districts.

LU1.C Continue to update the City’s housing inventory to track the status of residential growth by unit type and affordability level. 1 GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Agenda Item #5.1.

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ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-33
The City’s housing inventory
should be regularly updated.
1 GROWTH MANAGEMENT
LU1.D Review the City’s housing needs every five to eight years in conjunction with updates to the Housing Element to reassess housing priorities for the future years.

LU1.E Restrict the use of housing units as short-term rentals, except for those allowed by the Short-Term Rental Ordinance.

LU1.F Evaluate the effectiveness of the Growth Management System and consider the need for revisions in light of the City’s Housing Strategy. As part of this effort, study options for incorporating a mechanism to assess the relative benefits a proposed residential project brings to the community, such as through a community benefits program.

LU1.G Work with property owners and the Napa County Local Agency Formation Commission to study the benefits of annexing lands adjacent to the City of St. Helena, where the City owns and operates critical municipal infrastructure, including utility infrastructure, and/or provides municipal services, or where the provision of municipal services to replace wells and aging sceptic systems would improve public health.

LU1.H In the event that unincorporated areas are annexed to the City, advocate for favorable tax-sharing agreements that ensure that the City receives the revenues necessary to support the municipal services and infrastructure required in those areas.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
2 land use and growth management
2-34 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
A mix of housing types and
price ranges allows choice for
residents.

Policies
LU2.1 Promote a mix of housing types and price ranges that are consistent with the Housing Element RHNA categories of housing affordability.

LU2.2 Encourage new residential development that is consistent in design, size, color, and floor area ratio (FAR) with the older residences in the neighborhood.

LU2.3 Protect residential neighborhood views of surrounding vineyards and mountains.

LU2.4 Encourage the subdivision and/or development of larger parcels as Planned Unit Developments to ensure a more comprehensive and creative approach to planning the development as a single unit. This does not prohibit use of Planned Unit Developments on parcels less than three acres.

LU2.5 Encourage the development of higher density housing in areas near the center of the city and close to recreation and services, such as transit, retail, and public facilities.

LU2.6 Allow residential density at the higher end of the permitted range for single family development within Medium and High Density Residential Land Use designations as long as the development character of the single family area is maintained, including lot widths, orientation to street, building heights, onsite parking, traffic, and noise, among other considerations.

LU2.7 Ensure safe, walkable, and bikeable residential neighborhoods and vibrant, livable streets.

LU2.8 Ensure walkable and accessible neighborhoods through mixed-use development.
2 RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-35
Implementing Actions
LU2.A Update the zoning ordinance and map to be compatible with the General Plan land use map and designations.

LU2.B Develop and implement residential design guidelines and/or form-based codes, for single family and multiple family uses, to provide oversight and guidance for new buildings and renovations. Guidelines should ensure that new residential development is consistent with the design, size, and footprint of older residences in the neighborhood. Consider the impact of new development on surrounding residences. (Also see the following elements: Community Design, Topic Area 3; and Economic Sustainability, Topic Area 3).

LU2.C Implement view shed protection review for residential development as part of an updated design review process.

LU2.D Continue to require residential developers to contribute to the provision of community facilities and services (e.g. parks, recreation facilities and programs, education facilities, traffic and transportation facilities, and services), consistent with State law requiring a nexus between project impacts and required mitigation.

LU2.E Update zoning standards to encourage the following criteria:
• A variety of lot widths and sizes, such as that found in the older areas of town; • Garages at the rear of lots rather than on the street; or creative garage designs that incorporate the “garage door” frontage appearance to blend into the home;
• Lot coverage and floor area ratio (FAR) that is consistent with the scale of historic and older areas; • Planting of street trees and planting strips along sidewalks; and • Setbacks, building massing, and configuration consistent with older parts of neighborhoods.
2 RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2-36 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
Downtown is the City’s social
and cultural core.

Policies
LU3.1 Strengthen the downtown as the City’s social and cultural core, and as the primary center of retail services. Facilitate a healthy mix of retail and commercial uses, residential development, entertainment, and lodging.

LU3.2 Enhance the pedestrian-oriented character of commercial areas and provide for convenient pedestrian and bicycle connections to encourage walking and reduce vehicle trips within the commercial area.

LU3.3 Support the redevelopment of auto-oriented commercial areas into pedestrian-friendly commercial uses.

LU3.4 Protect historic resources in the commercial areas and encourage appropriate rehabilitation and adaptive reuse.

LU3.5 Ensure that new retail and commercial development is compatible with and complementary to St. Helena’s small-town image. In addition, within the City’s Central Business District, new retail and commercial development should be of a scale and type that complements the historic character. 3 COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2 land use and growth management
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-37
LU3.6 Continue to work with the County of Napa to review land use and design changes for projects in the unincorporated areas at the City’s gateways.

LU3.7 Provide sufficient auto and bicycle parking in order to serve local businesses in the commercial districts. Ensure that all parking areas are welldesigned and that auto parking spaces are hidden from pedestrian view, whenever possible.

LU3.8 Provide sufficient opportunities for offices that support the regional, agricultural-based economy and the local needs of the community.

LU3.9 In Mixed-Use, Service Commercial, and Central Business districts encourage residential and office uses in upper-story locations or locations along the periphery of the retail district. This will facilitate active and pedestrian-oriented commercial areas.

LU3.10 Encourage office development within Mixed-Use, Service Commercial, and Central Business districts to complement the pedestrian orientation of surrounding development.

LU3.11 Ensure that new commercial development does not obstruct view corridors to the mountains. 3 COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2-38 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
Implementing Actions
LU3.A Identify sites in the Central Business and Service Commercial districts for mixed-use development that are close to services and facilitate walking, bicycling, and transit use.

LU3.B Establish an inventory of all non-residential uses in the city and a program for monitoring future non-residential development. Combine this inventory with efforts to balance jobs and housing.

LU3.C Encourage retail services which do not require a consumer base larger than the population of St. Helena and its vicinity. For the purposes of the General Plan, “vicinity” is defined as the surrounding agricultural area for which St. Helena has historically provided goods and services, including Calistoga, Angwin, Deer Park, Meadowood, Madrone Knoll, Rutherford, and the unincorporated area south of St. Helena.

LU3.D Develop and implement commercial design guidelines and/or formbased codes to provide oversight and guidance for new buildings and renovations. Guidelines should ensure that new commercial development is consistent with the City’s character, particularly in historic districts. (Also see the Community Design Element, Topic Area 2)
3 COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2 land use and growth management
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-39
Sites within the Central
Business and Service
Commercial districts may be
future locations for mixed-use
development.

LU3.E Prohibit retail commercial zoning on Main Street north of Pine Street.

LU3.F Limit the floor area and size of buildings in the Central Business and Service Commercial districts to ensure that new buildings are in scale with typical older buildings in the district.

LU3.G Pursue acquisition of 1301 Mitchell Lane to provide additional public parking facilities, or other City prioritized uses, in the Central Business District. 3 COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2-40 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
Policies
LU4.1 Support and maintain a transitional zone around industrial areas to protect the health and safety of residential neighborhoods.

LU4.2 Support the development of industries that are consistent with viticulture and winery support services and similar, compatible uses. Support the role of the City as an agriculturally-based service center for the surrounding area, including Calistoga, Angwin, Deer Park, Meadowood, Madrone Knoll, Rutherford, and the unincorporated area south of St. Helena.

LU4.3 Ensure that industrial projects are designed and sited to provide a positive image of the community. Landscaping and setbacks should be used to enhance industrial buildings.

LU4.4 Ensure access to and from industrial areas that allows for safe and efficient circulation of goods and people. 4 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2 land use and growth management
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-41
Industrial uses that support
surrounding agricultural uses
are encouraged.

Implementing Actions
LU4.A Update the zoning ordinance and map to be compatible with the General Plan land use map and designations.

LU4.B Develop and implement industrial design guidelines and/or form-based codes, to provide oversight and guidance for new buildings and renovations.

Guidelines should ensure that new industrial development is consistent with the City’s character.

LU4.C Evaluate the compatibility
of the Industrial Area and existing heavy equipment use between Highway 29 and Crane Avenue
and determine if re-zoning or other
action is necessary to ensure safety
and liability, hazard, and noise
reduction in surrounding neighborhoods, schools, and parks. 4 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2 land use and growth management
2-42 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
The Urban Limit Line strictly
limits development in order to
protect agricultural uses.

Policies
LU5.1 Discourage conversion of existing farmland to non-agricultural uses.

LU5.2 Encourage the County to continue to promote agricultural uses and to limit further development in unincorporated areas surrounding the city.

LU5.3 Strictly limit development on properties existing at the time of the adoption of this General Plan that are designated as agricultural land.

LU5.4 Support community-based
agricultural uses within the city,
including community gardens,
orchards, and parks.

LU5.5 Encourage the use of sustainable agricultural practices.

LU5.6 Permit wineries and other
agricultural-related industries to
locate in the city if their location
does not adversely impact surroundings, uses, or city services (water, traffic, etc.) or the quality and character of the community. 5 AGRICULTURAL USES
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2 land use and growth management
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-43
Implementing Actions
LU5.A Update the zoning ordinance and map to be compatible with the General Plan land use map and designations.

LU5.B Continue to enforce the City’s “right to farm” ordinance that protects the right of agricultural operations in agriculturally-designated areas to continue their operations, even though such practices may generate complaints from nearby established urban uses. Explore the feasibility of a notification system (such as flags, web-based information, etc.) for agricultural spraying so nearby residences can prepare accordingly.

LU5.C Explore the feasibility and desirability of implementing permanent agricultural protection for lands within the Urban Limit Line in the form of agricultural preserves.

LU5.D Identify sites for community gardens, orchards, and parks. Establish a program to maintain public areas within and surrounding community gardens and to administer the assignment of garden spaces and collection of use fees.

LU5.E Encourage local farmers to employ sustainable agricultural practices wherever possible. Support agricultural activities that incorporate best management practices related to sustainable agriculture, including participation in local programs such as the Napa Valley Vintners - Napa Green Program and the California Certified Organic Farmers certification program.

LU5.F Where proposed residential, commercial, or industrial development abuts lands devoted to agricultural use, require the non-agricultural uses to incorporate buffer areas to mitigate potential land use conflicts as a condition of approval for subdivisions or use permits. The type and width of buffer areas shall be determined by the City based on the character, intensity, and sensitivity of the abutting land uses. Prepare and adopt guidelines and regulations to 5 AGRICULTURAL USES
Agenda Item #5.1.

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2-44 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
assist in the determination of the appropriate type and scope of agricultural buffer areas needed in circumstances that warrant the creation of such buffer areas.

LU5.G Evaluate all discretionary land use applications, rezonings, and/or General Plan amendments, including those outside the Urban Limit Line, to determine their potential for impacts on Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance mapped by the State Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program and avoid converting these farmlands where feasible. Where conversion of farmlands mapped by the state cannot be avoided, require long-term preservation of at least one acre of existing farmland of equal or higher quality for each acre of state-designated farmland that would be rezoned or redesignated to non-agricultural uses. This protection may consist of establishment of farmland easements or other similar mechanism, and the farmland to be preserved shall be located within the city and preserved prior to approval of the proposed discretionary land use application rezoning, or General Plan amendment.

LU5.H Prepare and adopt guidelines and regulations to assist in the determination of the appropriate type and scope of agricultural buffer areas needed in circumstances that warrant the creation of such buffer areas.

LU5.I Establish a Farmland Mitigation Program for future development that requires the permanent protection of farmland at a 1:1 ratio of the amount of farmland converted. The program should include provisions for the acquisition of agricultural conservation easements and payment of in-lieu fees as potential methods of farmland mitigation, where eligible agricultural mitigation lands must be located within the State of California and be of comparable or better soil quality than the land being converted, and in-lieu fees are to be used for the acquisition of a conservation easement, including costs associated with the transaction and long-term maintenance.
5 AGRICULTURAL USES
Farmland protection may consist of establishment of farmland easements.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 2-45
6 PUBLIC FACILITIES
Policies
LU6.1 Provide a wide-range of high-quality public facilities, including parks, multi-use trails, schools, fire and police services, water and wastewater systems, and community centers.

Implementing Actions
LU6.A Update the zoning ordinance and map to be compatible with the General Plan Land Use maps and designation and public facilities and services element.

LU6.B Pursue sites for future public facilities, including parks, consistent with projected growth.

LU6.C Explore the feasibility and desirability of moving public facilities to the Adams Street property.

LU6.D Install community amenities, such as public restrooms, drinking fountains, benches, and trash and recycling containers in commercial districts.

Ensure that community amenities are designed and installed to complement surrounding businesses and support the pedestrian-orientation of the street.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Agenda Item #5.1.

economic sustainability
chapter three
Agenda Item #5.1.

3-2 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
St. Helena’s Central Business
District is located along Main
Street with shops, cafes,
restaurants and offices.
3 economic sustainability

3.1 Purpose of the Element
The Economic Sustainability Element is not a State-mandated General Plan element. This Element is included in the General Plan in recognition of the important role that economic sustainability plays towards achieving the overall community vision of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. By building on and protecting St.

Helena’s authentic small-town character, the Economic Sustainability Element establishes a path to enhancing the local quality of life while also valuing the role of visitors in the local economy. Policies and implementing actions in this Element should be considered in conjunction with policies in the other elements, particularly the Land Use and Growth Management, Circulation, and Public Facilities and Services elements.

The Economic Sustainability Element includes the following sections. • 3.2 Economic Sustainability in St. Helena. Defines and frames key economic sustainability issues (p. 3-3). • 3.3 Key Findings. Identifies key findings based on existing conditions analysis and extensive community outreach (p. 3-4). 1 introduction
2 land use and growth
management
3 economic sustainability
4 public facilities and services
5 circulation
6 historic resources
7 community design
8 open space and
conservation
9 public health, safety and
noise
10 climate change
11 housing
12 parks and recreation
13 arts, culture and
entertainment
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 3-3
3 economic sustainability
• 3.4 Goals. Defines overarching goals to guide policies and implementing actions (p. 3-7).
• 3.5 Policies and Implementing Actions. Identifies policies and implementing actions to strengthen and enhance the local economy (p. 3-10).

3.2 Economic Sustainability in St. Helena
A sustainable approach to St. Helena’s economy is intended to preserve the city’s authentic, small-town character and quality of life, and leverage tourism to sustain its vibrant economy. The City strives to balance the impact of tourism with the desires of residents and business-owners, while recognizing the economic benefits that visitors bring, and the potential for tourism to contribute to the diversity of the community’s social and cultural life. Creating a long-term, proactive approach to define and achieve local economic priorities will help the City remain economically viable in the future while giving consideration to infrastructure, water, and housing.

Developing a reputation for transparency in governance, characterized in part by predictable, streamlined processes that include built-in checks and balances and, to the extent possible, reduced uncertainty associated with required discretionary actions, will also help further economic development and sustainability in St. Helena. By improving its reputation as a service-oriented City government, St. Helena will improve its ability to attract and retain businesses that are compatible with the city’s goals.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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3 economic sustainability

3.3 Key Findings
There are several challenges and opportunities facing St. Helena related to economic sustainability. The following key findings are based upon a comprehensive existing conditions analysis and community input, as well as the 2007 Local Economy and Economic Development Background Report.
• St. Helena has historically exhibited slow population, household, and housing growth. • St. Helena’s authentic small-town character, historic resources, and agricultural heritage are assets that enhance economic opportunities for local businesses. Protecting, promoting, and enhancing these resources is a critical for St. Helena’s economic sustainability.
• Housing affordability is an important issue in St. Helena and housing availability is a key constraint to further local economic development. Increasing the supply of housing – and particularly of workforce housing – is critical to St. Helena’s long-term economic sustainability.
• Revenue generation for the City is a key factor of economic sustainability and having retail on the ground floor of commercially-zoned parcels will help advance this objective.
• Commercial space is in limited supply in St. Helena and correspondingly high commercial rents impact the ability of businesses supplying everyday goods and services to locate or stay in St. Helena. Non-retail uses occupying ground-floor retail spaces, such as real estate offices, further drive up demand and rents for commercial space in St. Helena. Limiting the non-retail use of ground-floor spaces in key commercial areas may provide a more supportive environment for commercial uses that meet residents’ everyday shopping needs. However, this must be weighed against the potential for vacancies to adversely affect the vibrancy of other businesses in the area. • Consultations with the business community in St. Helena revealed that local businesses require the support of both local residents and visitors in order to thrive. Therefore, a balanced economic development approach that seeks to meet the needs of local residents while also recognizing that a substantial portion of the local employment base and the City’s revenue base is depenAgenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 3-5
3 economic sustainability
dent upon the flow of tourism dollars to St. Helena will help the City establish a stronger Central Business District. • Outreach efforts have indicated broad support in the community for maintaining the City’s existing prohibition of formula restaurants, outlet and chain stores, and large-scale retail businesses to ensure that St. Helena’s businesses continue to complement its distinctive small-town character. • Local business leaders have expressed concerns regarding traffic issues in St.

Helena and the availability of proximate parking for their employees. Local business leaders are also concerned about the City’s water supply and policies. Addressing these challenges will be essential if the City is to achieve its long-term economic sustainability goals.
• The wine industry is the key driver of the economy of the entire Napa Valley.

Continuing to support the wine industry is essential to maintaining the economic health of the community and the Napa Valley. Furthermore, diversifying St. Helena’s economy to create new, compatible commercial activities and employment opportunities beyond the wine industry can greatly strengthen the economic vitality of the City.

The community supports
maintaining locally owned
and operated businesses, such
as Steve’s Hardware and
Houseware.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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• Tourism by the wine industry supports local businesses, the incomes of many local households, the wineries and agricultural operations of the Napa Valley and local government revenues. The Napa Valley’s draw as a tourism destination will impact St. Helena regardless of local policies. • Sustainable tourism practices that have a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate future employment for local people will allow St. Helena to enjoy the economic benefits of tourism while maintaining the city’s authentic, small-town qualities. • Economic development opportunities for St. Helena lie in low-impact, highend tourism, as well as economic diversification in other sectors for which the city has competitive advantages, such as the arts, healthcare, and financial services sectors. • St. Helena serves as a commercial and business center for the surrounding towns and unincorporated areas, including Calistoga, Angwin, Deer Park, Meadowood, Madrone Knoll, Rutherford, and the unincorporated area south of St. Helena. However, the collective population base of St. Helena and surrounding unincorporated communities is still not sufficient to support some types of commercial retail and services. Residents will continue to travel to larger communities, like the City of Napa or beyond, to shop for certain types of goods and to obtain certain services.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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3 economic sustainability

3.4 Goals
The goals of the Economic Sustainability Element are:

Meet Residents’ Needs.

St. Helena is dedicated to meeting the basic needs of residents of the city and surrounding service areas, including Calistoga, Angwin, Meadowood, Madrone Knoll, Deer Park, Rutherford, and the unincorporated area south of St. Helena.

The City recognizes that residents will continue to travel to larger cities in the region for certain goods and services. Through its adopted local policies and actions, St. Helena will strive to increase the proportion of residents’ employment, housing, entertainment, and basic shopping and services needs that can be satisfied locally.

Create and Implement an Economic Sustainability Strategy.

It is imperative that St. Helena create and implement an Economic Sustainability Strategy that will serve as a “roadmap” to achieve the city’s goal of economic sustainability. This strategy should include a framework within which the effects of policies and actions can accurately be measured and tracked, as well as forecasted into the future. Specifically, the City should create a short- and longterm economic model that aids in estimating the impacts, benefits, and costs that local policies and actions, as well as outside micro and macroeconomic forces, may have on the local economic environment. This model should also consider and incorporate long-term enhancements to local quality of life and the environment as well as metrics for measuring such elements.

Tourism generated by the
wine industry supports local
businesses throughout St.

Helena.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Sustainable Economic Development
Smaller cities, like St. Helena, often employ local
economic development strategies to increase their
economic capacity and prosperity. Local economic
development approaches reach beyond traditional
business attraction and retention and growth models
to include longer-term enhancements to the local
economy and prosperity into the future. Typical
measures can include strategies to minimize retail
leakage, support local artisans and small business
owners, and enhance workforce development programs in key sectors of the local economy. In addition, local economic development models emphasize strengthening ties between the private, public and
non-profit sectors to ensure a collaborative approach
to creating better conditions for economic growth
and investment.

A sustainable economic development strategy builds
upon traditional and local economic development
models to include long-term enhancements to local
quality of life measures and the environment. In this
way, economic sustainability extends the scope of
economic growth models beyond the goal of achieving annual fiscal gains. Implementation approaches and measures vary according to the needs of the
local economy, but may incorporate additional
emphasis on local arts and cultural expression, educational improvement, public health and environmental sustainability.

Local economic development (LED) strategies include
supporting local businesses and niche markets, such as
culinary businesses and wineries.

CONCEPTS, TRENDS AND IDEAS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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3 economic sustainability
St. Helena is dedicated
to enhancing local-serving
businesses that meet
residents’ needs.

Balance the Benefits and Effects of Visitors.

St. Helena will promote sustainable tourism practices that allow the City to enjoy the economic benefits of visitors to the region while maintaining the authentic small-town quality of life.

Generate Revenue.

St. Helena will promote economic development initiatives that generate diversified revenues to support local services and move towards greater self-sufficiency. Increased revenue generation for St. Helena is key to achieving other goals for the community, as without additional financial resources the City’s abilities to pursue and achieve such goals is limited.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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3.5 Policies and Implementing Actions
A range of policies and implementing actions are outlined below and organized into the following topic areas:

1. Economic Diversification;

2. Sustainable Tourism; and

3. City Government
The following policies and actions mandate, encourage, or allow certain initiatives to be pursued throughout the duration of the General Plan. Together, they serve as strategic directions for City staff and partners, highlighting where time and resources should be focused.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 3-11
3 economic sustainability
1 ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION
Central St. Helena is the
social, cultural and economic
heart of the City.

Policies
ES1.1 Maintain central St. Helena as the social, cultural, and economic heart of the City by supporting infill and redevelopment of vacant and underutilized parcels in the central St. Helena area.

ES1.2 Identify and expand economic sectors in which the City has competitive advantages, and capitalize on these strengths in order to diversify local economic activities and strengthen St. Helena’s role as an agriculturally-based service center for the surrounding area.

ES1.3 Ensure the long-term infrastructure needs and priorities of the community are met as part of an economic approach to economic vitality and sustainability. (Also see the Public Facilities and Services Element for policies and implementing actions related to infrastructure) ES1.4 Encourage the creation of workforce housing to support the local employment base in keeping with small town smart growth. (Also see the Housing Element, Topic Area 1)
ES1.5 Encourage commercial uses that provide basic, everyday shopping and services for residents.

ES1.6 Support local arts, cultural activities, and entertainment that can contribute to the local economy. (Also see the Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Element) Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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1 ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION
Events, such as concerts in the
park, support the economy
while strengthening the local
social fabric.

Implementing Actions
ES1.A Develop, adopt, and implement an Economic Sustainability Strategy that addresses economic diversification and sustainability, as well as local fiscal and infrastructure priorities. This strategy will include the development of the necessary tools to implement the strategy.

ES1.B Update the Municipal Code to (a) encourage to the extent feasible businesses that are complementary to St. Helena’s small-town character and that provide a range of goods to local residents; (b) define and permit non-chain, discount type stores while maintaining the existing provisions in the Municipal Code that prohibit formula restaurants, outlet, and chain discount-type stores, and retail businesses over 10,000 square feet in size; and (c) limit certain nonretail uses, such as real estate offices, from occupying ground-floor retail space in Central St. Helena.
(Also see the Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Element, Topic Area 4).

ES1.C Develop a strategy to increase funding and resources to support arts and history as part of the City’s overall economic development program.

Additional policies and implementing actions regarding support for the arts may be found in the Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Element.

ES1.D Consider the establishment of a Business Improvement District.

ES1.E Provide development incentives for new visitor-serving businesses to develop affordable workforce housing either through construction of housing or payment of an appropriate in lieu fee to develop housing elsewhere in the city.

Such incentives shall include consideration of visitor-serving uses in Medium Density Residential or Higher Density Residential where a project provides affordable housing or an appropriate payment of an in lieu fee.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 3-13
3 economic sustainability
2 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Visitor-serving businesses
bolster the City’s economy and
bring jobs, tax revenues and
cultural amenities.

Policies
ES2.1 Support the development of responsible, visitor-serving components to the City’s economy as a valuable source of jobs, tax revenues, and cultural amenities. Promote policies that facilitate and encourage this type of sustainable economic development.

ES2.2 Encourage visitor-serving uses oriented toward an upscale market, consistent with the Valley’s reputation as a producer of world-class wines.

Discourage the introduction of uses that are dependent upon a mass tourist market.

ES2.3 Ensure a diverse mix of uses that avoids an over-representation of any particular use. Remove the cap on the number of hotel and motel rooms and restaurant seats but continue to limit vacation rentals.

ES2.4 Encourage green transportation options to circulate people throughout the community. Promote sustainable modes of travel and reduce the number and length of vehicle trips generated by visitors to the community.

ES2.5 Encourage socially and environmentally responsible businesses that make positive contributions to the community and operate in an environmentally-sound manner.

ES2.6 Expand lodging in the downtown area to encourage walking, biking, and alternative transportation modes in order to reduce the need for automobile trips. (Also see the Circulation Element, Topic Area 4 for policies and implementing actions related to non-motorized transportation).

ES2.7 Do not legislate or restrict the number of restaurant seats, but continue to prohibit formula restaurants.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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2 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Implementing Actions
ES2.A Continue to prohibit formula restaurants, chain discount stores, and time-share lodging projects (excluding Fractional Ownership Lodging).

Consider destination membership clubs and other potential lodging options that contribute to the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue stream subject to a conditional use permit.

ES2.B Study and recommend guidelines for permitting lodging uses in a range of land use designations, and ensure that the requested uses will not result in significant adverse impacts to the community while recognizing that the hotel taxes provide a valuable source of revenue for the City. Remove the cap on the number of hotel and motel rooms.

ES2.C Provide and maintain public restrooms in the Central Business District.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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3 economic sustainability
3 CITY GOVERNMENT
Policies
ES3.1 Establish and maintain an Economic Sustainability Strategy as well as related and necessary tools including, but not limited to, a short- and long-term economic, quality of life, and environmental forecasting model.

ES3.2 Establish and strengthen the reputation of St. Helena’s City Government as customer service-oriented and as being business friendly.

ES3.3 Ensure clarity, transparency, and efficiency in local regulations, permitting processes, and fee structures.

ES3.4 Encourage partnerships between the City and private and nonprofit organizations to promote economic sustainability in St. Helena.

ES3.5 Support cultural diversity through economic sustainability initiatives.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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3 CITY GOVERNMENT
Implementing Actions
ES3.A Continue Planning Department technical assistance for new projects.

ES3.B Develop a revised design review and/or form-based code process for commercial and industrial uses that establish objective design guidelines and restrictions.
(Also see the following elements: Community Design, Topic Areas: 2 and Land Use and Growth Management, Topic Area 3)
ES3.C Explore hiring or retaining economic development planning expertise to assist in creating and maintaining an Economic Sustainability Strategy and associated and necessary tools. Partner with the local business community to ensure that the program effectively meets participants’ needs.

ES3.D Facilitate and fast track projects generating significant City revenue that will not adversely impact the City’s resources and are consistent with the General Plan, Municipal Code, and CEQA.

ES3.E Encourage partnerships between the City and private and/or nonprofit organizations to enhance the City’s economic sustainability.

ES3.F Consider leveraging City resources as feasible to enhance the City’s economic sustainability.

Partnerships between the City
and private and nonprofit
organizations can promote
economic sustainability.

Agenda Item #5.1.

public facilities
and services
chapter four
Agenda Item #5.1.

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Public services that support
St. Helena residents include
water, sewer, storm drainage,
solid waste collection, schools
and libraries.

4.1 Purpose of the Element
The Public Facilities and Services Element presents a framework for the City to provide services, amenities, and infrastructure for today’s residents and businesses, as well as future generations. The policies and implementing actions aim to improve community services facilities, physical infrastructure, and a range of public utilities and services to best meet St. Helena’s needs.

The Public Facilities and Services Element includes the following sections. • 4.2 Public Facilities and Services in St. Helena. Summarizes public facilities and services provided by the City of St. Helena (p. 4-3). • 4.3 Key Findings. Identifies key findings based on an existing conditions analysis (p. 4-18).
• 4.4 Goals. Defines overarching goals to guide policies and implementing actions (p. 4-22).
• 4.5 Policies and Implementing Actions. Identifies policies and implementing actions to provide services and maintain the City’s physical infrastructure (p. 4-23).
1 introduction
2 land use and growth
management
3 economic sustainability
4 public facilities and
services
5 circulation
6 historic resources
7 community design
8 open space and
conservation
9 public health, safety and
noise
10 climate change
11 housing
12 parks and recreation
13 arts, culture and
entertainment
Agenda Item #5.1.

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4.2 Public Facilities and Services in St. Helena
From water supply and flood management to K-12 education, the City of St.

Helena and its partners manage an array of public facilities and provide numerous services to support City residents and businesses, as well as neighboring communities. This network of facilities, services, and infrastructure is essential to support the City’s quality of life and its ability to accommodate any potential future growth. As California explores solutions to its water supply shortages, the reduced capacity of its landfills, and limited resources to provide quality education and community services for all residents, St. Helena and local jurisdictions throughout the state are faced with many challenges. This section summarizes the key issues in public facilities and services for St. Helena.

WATER
Water Supply
The City has three sources of potable water: Bell Canyon Reservoir, water purchased from the City of Napa, and groundwater. The City extracts potable water from two groundwater wells at its Stonebridge Well Complex located near the Napa River, south of Pope Street. The City also has two sources of non-potable water: Lower Reservoir on York Creek and a groundwater well just north of the access to the Pope Street Bridge. The non-potable water is used almost exclusively for irrigation. The City also owns a capped well on its Adams Street property. This well is a potential future source of groundwater and potentially, if treated, of potable water.

Bell Canyon Reservoir is the City’s primary source of potable water, and the City has the right to divert and store 3,800 acre-feet (AF) at Bell Canyon, although the available physical storage is significantly less than that amount. Bell Canyon is an on-stream reservoir with a physical storage capacity of approximately 1,800 AF. This amount of water is physically available only when all hydrologic and hydraulic conditions are optimal for surface water diversions. In some years, lower amounts will be available due to low rainfall or rainfall occurring Agenda Item #5.1.

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4 public facilities and services
more episodically than continuously. Further, the amount that operationally can be withdrawn from storage in any year is less than the amount in true storage due to the need to carry significant storage over from one year to the next to augment total supply in dry years. At the same time, planned infrastructure improvements at Bell Canyon, including electronic equipment and related improvements that permit accurate monitoring of inflows and outflows in real time, could enhance the annual yield from the reservoir.

Water from Bell Canyon Reservoir is treated at the Louis Stralla Treatment Plant, located near the reservoir. The plant has a treatment capacity of 4.3 million gallons per day (mgd). The plant typically operates at 3.5 mgd, less than peak demand.

Lower Reservoir is an off-stream reservoir with a physical capacity of between 200 and 225 AF. The City has a pre-1913 claim to store up to 160 AF in this reservoir. However, the City has no facility to treat water from Lower Reservoir.

About 50 AF per year from the reservoir has been used for irrigation by Spring Mountain Winery and by RLS Middle School. The City has also supplied Lower Reservoir water to local contractors for construction purposes.

Bell Canyon Reservoir is the
City’s primary water supply
source.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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The City treats water produced at its two groundwater wells at the Stonebridge Well Complex (Stonebridge Wells Nos. 1 & 2) at a small treatment plant near the wells. These wells are located near the Napa River, south of Pope Street.

The City typically operates both wells at the same time. A third well, also near the Napa River but just north of Pope Street, provides untreated water that is used for irrigation in nearby areas, including Jacob Meily Park. The City routinely monitors the elevation of the aquifer in the area of the City wells. The spring and fall elevation levels have declined since Stonebridge Well No. 1 went into production in 1992. While the decline is disconcerting, the City is not able to assess the long-term significance without further study.

The City also purchases significant water quantities from the City of Napa, having entered into a long-term water supply agreement for that purpose in September 2006. The delivery terms were materially revised in April 2009 (Amendment No. 1) and in November 2011 (Amendment No. 2). The initial term of the contract expires on December 31, 2035. Under the revised delivery terms, through the year 2035, Napa is required to deliver 600 AF of water per year to the City of St. Helena and the City is required to take and pay for 600 AF each year. The City has the option to purchase additional water from Napa (above the 600 AF) if Napa has the water to sell.

Water purchased from the City of Napa is much more expensive than water produced by the City from Bell Canyon or the City Wells. In 2012, the annual cost of 600 AF was approximately $1.2 million. The price escalates at the rate of 3 percent per year (subject to some potential adjustment). At the same time, the reliability of Napa water (as Napa must deliver 600 AF in all years) provides much needed assurance that the City will receive significant water in drought years when relying mainly on water from Bell Canyon could be problematic and groundwater production would not otherwise be sufficient to avoid a serious or even extreme water shortage.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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As can be observed in Figure 4.1, the annual yield from Bell Canyon in recent years is significantly less than in prior years. Primarily because more water has flowed through to the Napa River to support fish. Most recently, Napa water has become an increasing percentage of St. Helena’s total supply, as increased deliveries under the Napa contract are impacting the total mix. The City is also seeking to reduce its withdrawal of groundwater in non-drought years, in order to give the aquifers in the area of the Stonebridge Well Complex an opportunity to recharge. 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Calendar Year
0 500
1,000
1,500
2,500
Water Production (acre-feet)
2,000
992 508
1,814314
1,022 479
1,828326
1,008 521
1,980452
1,647
2,057410
1,617
1,998382
1,741
2,240
1,681
2,157
1,942
2,290349
1,647
2,114467
1,524
1,897373
1,592
1,857264
1,411
1,647
1,517 262
1,779
1,511 195
1,706
1,285 205
1,501
1 1,086 292
1,465
1,528 105
1,634
1,466 270
1,736
1,353 77
1,632 299
1,931
1,430
87 237
467
499
Napa Water Stonebridge Wells Bell Canyon
FIGURE 4.1: St. Helena Historical Annual Water Production Agenda Item #5.1.

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4 public facilities and services
Distribution System
The existing distribution area covers a large area inside and outside of the city limits. The network extends from Lodi Lane, two miles north of the city, to Niebaum Lane, in the unincorporated community of Rutherford, three miles south of the city.

In 2015 the City provided water to service to approximately 2,312 connections.

Of those, 348 connections are located outside the City’s jurisdictional boundary. Figure 4.2 shows the distribution of customers on the City’s water system.

All 18 industrial customers are, with one exception, wineries. “Other” water consumers include institutional users, such as churches and schools. Customers outside city limits include residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

Like all water suppliers, the City has had some “unaccounted-for water loss.” Unaccounted-for water loss is the difference between the metered quantity of water produced or purchased by the City and the metered quantity of water sold to all City customers. Unaccounted-for water is therefore not available for sale (“unavailable water”).

Unavailable water is attributed to unmetered water lost due to leaks, unauthorized use, firefighting (including flushing of hydrants), system maintenance, and inaccurate meters. As the City has completed replacement of customer meters, and has also undertaken significant meter improvements at the Louis Stralla Treatment Plant, the City believes that most unavailable water is occurring under the streets in its aging distribution system. This is a difficult, expensive, and long-term issue to resolve. The City recognizes that it must maintain unaccounted-for water loss at an acceptable level in its municipal systems.

Water Demand
Total existing metered potable water demand averaged about 1,900 acrefeet per year between 2000 and 2015 and has declined in recent years due to improved water use efficiency and short-term demand reductions. Meaningful savings have been observed in residential water consumption (which is also the largest category of user, as seen on Figure 4.2). General commercial and Agenda Item #5.1.

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4 public facilities and services
industrial (winery) usage, when added together, have also significantly declined in recent years, including in low rainfall years. For land uses outside the city limits, metered potable water demand averaged 142 acre-feet per year based on average water demand for 2002-2008.

The Safe Annual Yield of the Water System
Experience has showed that the City has inadequate water to supply customer demand without imposition of water emergency restrictions in recent years, which has led to the establishment of a “Safe Annual Yield” of the Water System. Often “safe yield” is thought of as that supply that can be reliably delivered under worst-case (drought) conditions. However, it was also apparent that under such an approach, the demand on the City’s water system, even at the reduced levels of recent years, exceeded the “safe annual yield,” if so defined. Such an inflexible approach was viewed as too restrictive for planning purposes.

Residential Inside City, 51%
All Outside
City Demands,
16%
Commercial/Other, 20%
Industrial, 8%
Landscaping, 4%
FIGURE 4.2: Metered Potable Water Demands 2002-2008, Percent Distribution
Agenda Item #5.1.

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In consequence, the City undertook to establish its own definition of “safe annual yield,” as follows: “The safe annual yield of the St. Helena water supply system is that quantity of water which can be reliably delivered on an annual basis through most rainfall years, including a Dry Year (rainfall at 22” to 25.9”), without undue hardship on water customers through water shortage restrictions.” The City defined “undue hardship” as “three or more consecutive months of Phase II water restrictions or Phase III water restrictions.” The water restriction phases are those as stated in a water emergency ordinance adopted by the City in the fall of 2011. It is recognized that the annual safe yield, as so defined, could place significant hardship on water customers in a Critically Dry Year (rainfall at 21.9” or less) or in periods of two or more consecutive Dry Years.

The calculation of safe yield is made according to the above definition using an estimate of water available from the City’s three sources under current operating conditions and under the rainfall conditions included in the definition. It is assumed that groundwater withdrawals will not exceed 450 AF in normal years (ideally withdrawals should be significantly less than 450 AF). It assumes that the City will purchase 600 AF each year from the City of Napa, in accordance with its contractual commitment, as described above. It takes into account the storage and bypass requirements that the City must follow at Bell Canyon. On the demand side, the estimated demand equals total water actually supplied (including unavailable water) averaged over the past five years. A five-year average seeks to even out anomalies that can impact yearly demand, especially due to wide variations in rainfall that can occur from year-to-year. The City recognizes that it might need to adjust the inputs into the safe yield calculation based on new information. For example, the annual safe yield would increase if the City were to acquire a significant new source of water supply. The annual safe yield could decrease if the City finds that it cannot sustainably withdraw water from the City production wells at current levels.

Based on water supplies
available in 2013, the City
estimated that the safe annual yield of its water system is 1,950 AF. With average fiveyear demand (which must
include unavailable water)
less than the annual safe
yield in 2013, the City calculated that its water surplus was 80 AF. Citywide demand
has shown a declining trend
since 2002, mainly due to the
decline in residential water
demand.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Water Shortage Emergencies
In 2011, the City adopted a Water Shortage Emergency Ordinance, which incorporated the definition of annual safe yield, and requires a yearly calculation of the annual safe yield. If the City’s water balance pursuant to the safe yield calculation is in deficit, then the City must comply with Phase I water restrictions. Most importantly, this requires that any new water demand, such as from a new project, must be completely offset by a reduction in current water demand, to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works. Phases II and III involve the imposition of mandatory water restrictions on customers. If Phase II appears imminent, the City Council must appoint a Water Board which, if Phase II is implemented, will work with the Director of Public Works to ensure compliance by all sectors (residential, commercial, and industrial) with Phase II restrictions. Phase III restrictions are severe.

Water Supplies
The City needs to obtain new water supplies and/or achieve more water savings, even under current conditions in order to reliably meet the current and future water demand. At the same time, the City recognizes that any new water supply, even if forthcoming, is likely to be expensive, potentially increasing the unit cost of potable water. Thus, the main emphasis going forward will be on conservation, seeking to reduce demand by all classes of users.

Water Recycling Potential
The City recognizes the imperative to recycle water and the value of putting recycled water to beneficial use. The demand for recycled water is likely to be highest during the driest months when flows into the City’s sewage treatment plant are at their lowest. This means that, under current conditions, recycled water could not be a meaningful factor in augmenting supply for non-potable use without the addition of substantial storage capacity. It would be necessary to provide recycled storage, pumping, and distribution facilities that includes, at minimum, 400 AF of storage. The City does not own land at a location suitable for such storage capacity, and at this time the cost of purchasing land and constructing such storage, a large capital cost, would not be fiscally justifiable to the water system’s rate payers.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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By imitating natural hydrologic processes, “green
infrastructure” helps to manage stormwater and
improve overall watershed health.

Green Infrastructure
Interconnected networks of natural environments,
open spaces and landscaped areas provide essential services and livable qualities for our communities. By mimicking natural hydrologic processes in these areas, “green infrastructure” is an integrated
set of strategies and improvements that can help to
manage stormwater and improve overall watershed
health, reducing the need for costly enhancements to
built infrastructure. Green infrastructure approaches
include vegetated swales, green roofs, rain gardens,
daylit creeks, preserved and undeveloped spaces,
permeable paving, and the incorporation of other
features into community and street design. These
improvements can substantially help to manage
stormwater runoff, improve water infiltration, reduce
flows and improve water quality.

By incorporating green infrastructure into the City’s
existing built and natural landscapes, St. Helena can
simultaneously improve the efficiency of stormwater
management, reduce flood risks, enhance the City’s
design character and protect natural communities
and wildlife. Importantly, green infrastructure can also significantly reduce demand on the City’s stormwater
drainage system, minimizing the need to construct
expensive pipe systems.

CONCEPTS, TRENDS AND IDEAS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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SEWER
Collection System
The City provides sewer service to approximately 1,726 connections, of which 75 percent are residential. All sewer connections are located within city boundaries, with no out-of-agency boundary sewer services provided. About 300 dwelling units and three wineries are on individual disposal systems, most of them too remote to reach the City’s sewer system. With the exception of the original town site, which has four-inch sewer lines, most of the City is served by pipes adequately-sized for dry weather flows. During the winter rainy season, surface and ground water infiltration increases flows by eight times. In several areas of the city, the sewer system suffers from defects which prevent free flow of sewage, resulting in backwater in the system. One lift station exists at the Crinella development in the northeast quadrant east of Main Street. The remaining system operates by gravity.

Treatment Plant
The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), including its integrated pond system, is located in the southeast corner of the city, near the Napa River. There are a series of ponds that treat the effluent to a secondary level, and the treated effluent is then sprayed onto a field owned by the City just south of the ponds.

While the City’s permit allowed for discharge into the Napa River under very limited conditions, the City seeks to minimize discharges directly into the river.

In the past, wastewater discharges to the Napa River have exceeded the established limits for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids. Constructed in the 1960’s, the WWTP is required to meet new wastewater treatment standards set forth by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), which mandate additional treatment of wastewater in order to meet stricter environmental requirements. Under a Cease and Desist Order from the RWQCB, the City is required to phase in the improvements to the wastewater treatment plant by 2021. As part of the project, the city will evaluate the options for improving the facility in order to meet the new requirements.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Working with City Council and sewer service ratepayers in St. Helena, the City will determine a strategy to meet the new requirements, develop the required design and engineering documents, and construct the needed improvements.

Storm Drainage
The City is divided into two major subwatersheds, York Creek and Sulphur Creek. Both watersheds drain into the Napa River watershed. The following section provides an overview of the two major components of the City’s drainage system.

For additional discussion of flood potential in St. Helena and for policies to reduce flood incidence and minimize flood impacts, see the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element.

York Creek Subwatershed
The approximately 7.2-mile-long York Creek has a 4.4-square-mile subwatershed that includes the Upper and Lower York Creek reservoirs. Runoff north of Pratt Avenue is conveyed to York Creek through a number of culverts and ditches, then into the Napa River north of the Pratt Avenue Bridge. Built at approximate Stream Mile 2.5, the Upper York Creek Dam (UYCD) stretches 140 feet across the channel and stands 50 feet high. The UYCD was built in 1900 to supply water to the City. Operations were halted in the 1980s due to acquisition of other water sources and ongoing issues with sedimentation. Water is no longer stored at UYCD, and the City is actively working on a project to remove the dam and restore the creek in this area.
(See Open Space and Conservation Element).

Agenda Item #5.1.

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The City has five public schools
including the St. Helena
Elementary School.

Sulphur Creek Subwatershed
The Sulphur Creek subwatershed area is 9.3 square miles. Sulphur Creek’s one major tributary, Heath Canyon Creek, joins the main stem of Sulphur Creek immediately before it exits Sulphur Canyon and begins to flow across the Valley. Heath Canyon and Sulphur Creek have a combined channel length of approximately 12.7 miles. The lower 1.5 miles of Sulphur Creek flow through the City of St. Helena. Sulphur Creek then flows into the city from the west along Sulphur Springs Road, and then runs east to its confluence with the Napa River, near the Pope Street Bridge. The lower reach of Sulphur Creek is referred to as the historic gravel mining reach due to the historic gravel mining activities that occurred and the resulting, extensive gravel deposition in the area. The main stem of Sulphur Creek has seven major road crossings comprised of bridges and box culverts. Most of these major crossings are large enough to handle flood flow, but many smaller crossings and culverts on the tributaries have been identified as undersized. Channel modifications, including both on- and offstream reservoirs, also alter flow patterns in the Sulphur Creek watershed.

Existing on- and off-stream reservoirs intercept and retain storm flows, acting to reduce the peak of the hydrograph and flooding. However, several of these reservoirs have inadequate overflow mitigation (i.e. spillways) and have the potential to cause severe erosion.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Solid Waste
The Upper Valley Disposal Service provides solid waste services to all residents and businesses in the City of St. Helena. The Upper Valley Disposal Service provides an extensive recycling program and a variety of waste reduction programs. A single stream recycling program accommodates a wide array of wastes including plastic, glass, steel, tin, aluminum, and most types of paper and cardboard. The Agency also conducts public education to teach residents and businesses about composting and its recycling and electronic waste disposal programs.

Solid waste is disposed of in the Clover Flat Landfill, located on the Silverado Trail north of St. Helena. The landfill has a permitted capacity of 4.90 million cubic yards. As of 2018, the landfill has a remaining capacity of approximately 2.62 million cubic yards. The landfill has 10 years remaining on its existing franchise agreement with Napa County, but has an estimated capacity to last approximately 30 years and is expected to close in 2047.

SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC LIBRARY
The St. Helena Unified School District maintains four schools: a primary school, an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school that serve approximately 1,200 students in grades K–12. According to the District’s 2010 Facilities Master Plan, St. Helena’s public schools have a maximum capacity of approximately 1,770 K-12 students. Coupled with a decreasing trend in enrollment in recent years, the District anticipates adequate capacity to accommodate projected enrollment in the near-term. There are also four private schools in the city, as well as a public preschool (Little Backpacks Preschool) and a public college (Napa Valley College).

Clover Flat Landfill supports
recycling and has a capacity
of 5.1 million cubic yards.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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The George and Elsie Wood Public Library is the City’s single public library. The library is home to approximately 96,000 books, videos, albums, newspapers, magazines, and other media. The library also contains the Napa Valley Wine Library collection, which consists of 3,500 titles regarding viticulture, enology, and other wine-related literature. The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum is also located on the Library site. In addition to public funds, the library is sustained by the active fundraising efforts of the Friends of the St. Helena Library, a “library foundation” group that has subsidized programming enhancements and a major library expansion. Continued City support can ensure that the library remains an innovative, cultural center serving all St. Helenans.

FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES
The City of St. Helena Fire Department provides fire protection services within the City limits and certain surrounding unincorporated areas, pursuant to a mutual aid agreement between the City and the County of Napa. This agreement dictates, depending on the needs of the incident, that all fire departments in the county will respond to a call for services as requested or required. Napa County Station 26 (St. Helena) and Napa County Station 12 (Yountville) provide automatic aid on all residential and commercial structure fires in the City of St.

Helena. Services provided by the Fire Department include fire suppression, fire prevention, education, emergency medical and rescue services, and response to incidents involving hazardous materials.

The Fire Department is based at 1480 Main Street in St. Helena. As a part time department, firefighters respond to the station when they receive a page, leaving the station unoccupied throughout the day. The firefighters are trained to provide emergency medical services at various levels. The Fire Department responds simultaneously with the ambulance dispatch, and generally arrives on scene concurrently with the ambulance company. The department has set a goal for a maximum response time of 8 minutes within the St. Helena city limits.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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The majority of calls received by the Fire Department are for emergency medical services.

POLICE SERVICES
The Police Department is based at 1480 Main Street in St. Helena. The St.

Helena Police Department provides police services within the city limits. The Police Department maintains 24-hour security patrol throughout the community. In addition to calls within the City of St. Helena, the Police Department responds to incidents in surrounding unincorporated areas based on separate mutual aid agreements with California Highway Patrol, the Calistoga Police Department, and the County of Napa.

The Police Department goal is to maintain a staffing ratio of two police officers for every 1,000 residents. The Police Department’s goal is to maintain an average response time of three minutes or less. In recent years, the number of calls for service has increased, resulting in an increase in response time.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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4.3 Key Findings
There are several challenges and opportunities facing St. Helena related to public facilities and services. The following key findings are based upon comprehensive existing conditions analysis and community input.

Water
• It is imperative that the City continue to search for new sources of water, noting that groundwater is not considered a “new” source of water.

However, until such sources are identified and acquired, the City must plan on its current sources of water as its only sources into the indefinite future. • The City owns and operates two reservoirs, six storage tanks, pumps, four pump stations, and a network of distribution pipelines. Infrastructure is located within the City limit, SOI and the study areas. In 2015, St. Helena provided water service to approximately 2,312 connections, of which 348 were located outside the City’s jurisdictional boundary. • The installation of new electronic monitoring equipment and associated infrastructure improvements at Bell Canyon to better monitor Bell Canyon inflows, outflows, and water levels more accurately and in real time would be valuable to the City’s water utility. Such real time measurement might lead to increased yields from Bell Canyon, as it will enable the City more accurately to manage the reservoir, including fulfillment of its obligation to flow water through to the Napa River, as required by its permits. • To date, the City has not implemented its recycled water program due to logistical and financial constraints. Key issues include inadequacies in the City’s distribution system that limit options to return water to users and insufficient demand to use greywater for irrigation purposes, particularly among wineries. Removing logistical and financial constraints can help the City keep the program moving forward until additional funding becomes available to fully upgrade the treatment plant and distribution system. • Residential, commercial, and industrial customers have made great strides in recent years in reducing their water usage. It appears that residential conAgenda Item #5.1.

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sumption is St. Helena is consistent with other Napa communities after taking into account housing mix and lot sizes. • Future climate change could alter regional rainfall and significantly impact the City’s water resources. The City should maintain awareness of evolving climate science assessments as they pertain to the Napa Valley and take those considerations into account in its ongoing water management planning.

Wastewater
• The City of St. Helena Wastewater Treatment Plant is operates under permits from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. The most recent new permit was issued on January 12, 2016. The permitted capacity is the average dry weather flow which shall not exceed 0.65 million gallons a day. The actual average dry weather discharge rate shall be determined for compliance over three consecutive dry weather months each year. Under the new permit and related order, the City is required to meet more stringent discharge limitations. This may require significant improvements to the wastewater treatment facility.
• Portions of the Wastewater Treatment Plant are located within the 100-year floodplain, which can cause stormwater flows to infiltrate the City’s wastewater collection system during the rainy season. Reducing inflow and infiltration into the wastewater collection and treatment system can reduce the frequency of overloads and increase the effectiveness of the City’s facilities. • New development often results in an increase in impervious surface areas and a decrease in natural vegetation, which in turn can result in increased stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff can cause nonpoint source pollution in streams and rivers.
• St. Helena’s Stormwater Master Plan is approximately 10 years old and some of the collection lines detailed in the plan have not yet been constructed.

Currently, the City addresses stormwater runoff concerns on a case-by-case basis. Updating the City’s Stormwater Master Plan can help streamline the permitting and approval process and renew recommendations to reflect changes since the adoption of the last plan.
• The City maintains a network of more than 22 miles of pipe and trunk lines that collect sewage from homes and businesses, and currently provides Agenda Item #5.1.

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sewer service to approximately 1,726 connections, of which 75 percent are residential. All sewer connections are located within city boundaries, with no out-of-agency boundary sewer services provided.

Schools, Library, Fire, and Police
• In recent years nearly a third of St. Helena Unified School District students were classified as English Learners, with nearly all of these students listed as Spanish-speakers. Strengthening existing relationships with the school district can help the City effectively target services to Spanish speaking communities and has been effectively accomplished by the St. Helena library. • Strengthening existing relationships with the school district can help the City effectively target services to lower-income families, such as those whose students receive free or reduced-price meals. • Collaboration with the St. Helena Unified School District presents an opportunity to enhance after-school programming and social service delivery, as well as enable schools to function as neighborhood centers for a variety of intergenerational and community events.
• St. Helena’s library consistently ranks as one of the top public libraries in the state and offers a wide variety of services for residents of all ages. In addition to its regular collection, the library houses the papers of the St. Helena Historical Society and the Napa Valley Wine Library Association and the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. Per capita, the St. Helena Public Library enjoys the highest circulation and percentage of cardholders in the state.

The George and Elsie Wood
Public Library contains
approximately 96,000 books,
videos, albums, newspapers,
magazines and other media
In 1986 and 1995, floodwater overtopped the Napa River bank and caused significant damage to neighborhoods in the City of St Helena, prompting the City to take action which led to the development of the Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Project (Project). The final Project plan, approved in 2006, provides flood risk reduction for a 100-year flood event along with riparian environmental benefits. The Project’s main components include a floodplain terrace, a new levee and floodwall, a storm water detention basin, pump station, and a site adaptive management plan. After completing design and permitting between 2006 and 2008, construction began in 2009. Construction of the Project was completed in April 2011, after which the City submitted an application to FEMA for accreditation of the new flood mitigation features. FEMA’s approval was received in June 2012 through a Letter of Map Revision reflecting the areas brought under flood mitigation by the project. The Project removed over 200 residential units from the floodplain.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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The York Creek and Sulphur
Creek watersheds drain into
the Napa River.
• The St. Helena Fire and Police departments, as part of a mutual aid agreement between the City and Napa County, provides emergency response services to residents and businesses adjacent unincorporated Napa County communities outside of the City limits. Therefore, growth in these communities, as well as maintenance of infrastructure, impacts staffing and equipment needs, as well as response times for the City of St. Helena.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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1 WATER

4.4 Goals
The goals of the Public Facilities and Services Element are:

Ensure High-Quality Public Services and Facilities.

St. Helena is committed to investing in and maintaining a high standard of quality for facilities and infrastructure to serve a diverse range of community needs.

Promote Sustainable Standards and Practices.

St. Helena is dedicated to upgrading existing community facilities and infrastructure where possible and setting standards for new improvements that support long-term ecological sustainability and environmental mitigation.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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1 WATER

4.5 Policies and Implementing Actions
A range of policies and implementing actions are outlined below and organized into the following topic areas:

1. Water;

2. Sewer;

3. Storm Drainage/Flooding;

4. Solid Waste; and

5. Schools, Libraries, Fire, and Police.

The following policies and actions mandate, encourage, or allow certain initiatives to be pursued throughout the duration of the General Plan. Together, they serve as strategic directions for City staff and partners, highlighting where time and resources should be focused.
.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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1 WATER
Policies
PF1.1 Require that the approval of new development be contingent upon the ability of the City to provide water without exceeding the safe annual yield of its water supply system.

PF1.2 Adopt and implement equitable water conservation measures for both residential and non-residential users so that the City can supply water within the safe yield of its water system.

PF1.3 Prohibit water service to new customers outside the city limits unless a potential threat to health and safety can be demonstrated.

PF1.4 Proactively reduce the City’s commitment to provide water to uses outside the city limits.

PF1.5 Continue to implement and update as necessary the City’s Water Management Plan Ordinance and the City’s Ordinance containing the Water Use Efficiency Guidelines, along with other existing water conservation ordinances and measures.

PF1.6 Aggressively promote adoption of “best practices” for reducing water usage in the existing housing stock through the City existing Ordinances and Water Conservation Plans.

Implementing Actions
PF1.A Continue to implement the City’s water conservation ordinances and programs that act to reduce per capita water consumption. In addition, consider incentives to property owners to install rainwater collection barrels and continue to require water efficient irrigation systems and drought tolerant landscaping.

PF1.B Implement the following water system improvements:
• Replace obsolete, undersized water mains to provide more efficient circulation, higher pressures, and lower pipe losses during heavy demand periods. • Continue service of water mains to reduce unaccounted-for water losses.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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1 WATER
PF1.C Continue to aggressively look for new water supply sources adequate to serve St. Helena’s population into the future. New sources may include adoption of new technologies, such as effective water recycling.

PF1.D The City of St. Helena should not draw or sell any groundwater beyond that currently allowed until a safe yield of the groundwater system has been identified through a study of the North Main Basin Aquifer by a qualified hydro geologist.

PF1.E Permit no new development relying on groundwater unless and until it is determined that the incremental production of ground water to support the development will not adversely impact the water production capability of the aquifer supporting the City wells.

PF1.F Track the drilling of new private wells in and around St. Helena and, if so recommended by the qualified hydrologist hired by the City’s water system, request that the County impose a moratorium on new well drilling if needed to protect the production capability of the City wells.

PF1.G If feasible, adopt a Water Conservation Program that includes the following actions:
• Utilize a Water Conservation staff member or consultant, as needed; • Update the new construction offset program;
• Establish an Irrigation Advisory Service and promote “Smart Irrigation Controllers”;
• Adopt new requirements for “ultra-efficient” plumbing fixtures for new development and rebates for existing users;
• Reduce average dry weather flow; and
• Evaluate incentives for replacement of turf and rainwater catchment, etc.

PF1.H Ensure that water rates are designed to promote conservation, as well as to ensure that needed capital improvements are made in a timely manner.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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PF1.I Evaluate and adjust as needed “water shortage emergency” phases, recognizing the complexity of the supply system and making use of modeling of historical and future performance.

PF1.J Develop and adopt regulations to ensure that total potable water usage is not greater than 1,950 acre-feet per year unless the project includes housing affordable to lower income households and a determination is made pursuant to Government Code 65589.7 that a “sufficient water supply” is available to serve that project and none of the exceptions set forth in 66589.7 (c) apply; or, new sources of water are made available to the City. Residential projects that contain affordable housing shall receive priority allocation of water.

PF1.K Aggressively promote adoption of “best practices” for reducing water usage in the existing housing stock.

PF1.L Require that all new residential housing projects incorporate “best practices” for minimizing water usage.

PF1.M Limit any future non-residential development to projects that incorporate “best practices” for water conservation.

PF1.N Institute an ongoing process of mandatory audits of all existing nonresidential water users to promote adoption of “best practices” for water conservation.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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PF1.O Provide the full-time capability in the City to implement and oversee water conservation policies and to pay for this capability out of water revenues rather than the General Fund.

PF1.P Collaborate with Napa County (GRAC study) by participating to establish in the ongoing monitoring program to assess the long-term viability and recharge capability of the North Main Basin aquifer that supplies the City’s wells.

PF1.Q The City of St. Helena at the earliest opportunity shall work with the City of Napa to extend that Napa water supply contract beyond the expiration of its term at the end of 2035.

PF1.R Maintain awareness of long-term risks to the City water supply, including potential climate change impacts, impacts on groundwater resources, uncertainties about the Napa water contract renewal in 2035, and Napa water delivery reliability due to impacts on the State Water Project from drought, singlepipe delivery system risks, large storms, or earthquakes. Allocate any surplus water resources among new uses and unallocated reserves to maintain a balance between short-term needs and long-term risk mitigation.

PF1.S Provide for capital needs of water and wastewater systems.

Storm drainage improvements
can include measures such as
creating settling basins, bioswales and the use of pervious materials for driveways and
parking areas.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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2 SEWER
Policies
PF2.1 Ensure adequate sewage treatment capacity at the City treatment plant to meet the needs of population growth, taking into account the City’s Growth Management System, the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, and the needs of non-residential users.

PF2.2 Require the extension of the City sewer to areas that are dependent upon septic systems prior to approval of future growth in these areas.

PF2.3 Reduce pumping costs and increase plant capacity by mitigating sewer system infiltration problems and explore alternate energy sources.

PF2.4 Increase sewer collection system efficiency by ensuring proper maintenance of sewer pipes.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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2 SEWER
Implementing Actions
PF2.A Require all new units on parcels less than two acres, except those in the Woodlands and Watershed District, to connect to the City sewer. All existing units within 200 feet of an existing sewer shall connect to the City sewer whenever feasible. Many of the residential units cannot expand without abandoning on-site septic systems and connecting to the sewer which may, in some cases, require an extension of the sewer.

PF2.B Continue wastewater treatment system upgrades to reduce the number and scale of implementation constraints on the recycled water program. This can ensure that the system is ready for investment when funding for implementation becomes available.

PF2.C Urban services such as sewer, water, and storm drainage will only be extended to development within the Urban Limit Line. Exceptions will be permitted when undue hardship can be demonstrated and when proposed improvements are not found to induce growth.

PF2.D Reduce sewer system inflow and infiltration through repair and replacement of sewer pipes and protection from inflow sources.

PF2.E Reduce pumping costs and increase plant capacity by mitigating sewer system infiltration problems and exploring alternate energy to operate the wastewater treatment plant to reduce operational costs.

A Safe Routes to School
Program will improve walking
and bicycling access to schools
and after-school programs.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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3 STORM DRAINAGE/FLOODING
Policies
PF3.1 Ensure that new developments provide adequate drainage improvements and detention to mitigate flooding from increased stormwater runoff attributable to the development.

PF3.2 Ensure that encroachments into the 100-year floodplain do not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.

PF3.3 Improve York Creek channel capacity in flood-prone areas through removal of channel-obstructing gravel bars and vegetation.

PF3.4 Consider efforts to prevent risk to structures and property along Sulphur Creek.

Implementing Actions
PF3.A Require developers to provide adequate drainage improvements and detention to mitigate storm runoff from the site to the nearest major waterway.

Drainage improvements can include measures such as creating settling basins, bio-swales, and the use of pervious materials for driveways and parking areas.

Key waterways include York Creek, Sulphur Creek and the Napa River.

PF3.B Continue to require that new developments contribute on a fair share basis to the extension or upsizing of storm drainage to accommodate it through the construction of infrastructure and/or the payment of Impact Fees.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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3 STORM DRAINAGE/FLOODING
PF3.C Consistent with Municipal Code Section 16.32.170, continue to prohibit the creation of new residential lots that will be subject to periodic inundation from floodwaters. New development proposals on existing lots of record must identify flood hazard areas and mitigate all impacts to base flood levels and potential flood damage from grading, filling, and construction through proper drainage, construction, and location of utilities, in accordance with FEMA requirements.

PF3.D Update the City’s Stormwater Master Plan to include changes and upgrades since the last plan and to help streamline the approval process.

PF3.E At the time of development review, require that post-project runoff be limited to pre-project peak flow rates for the five-year and ten-year storms as a condition of approval.
(Also see Climate Change Element, Topic Area 4)
PF3.F Implement the requirements of FEMA relating to construction in Special Flood Hazards Areas as illustrated on Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

PF3.G Continue to require that new development and redevelopment projects implement Post Construction Runoff Management measures, including low impact development practices, to reduce stormwater peak flow rates and volumes from smaller, more frequently occurring storm events.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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4 SOLID WASTE
Policies
PF4.1 Increase recycling and composting as part of a coordinated waste reduction and management program.

Implementing Actions
PF4.A Develop and adopt a Waste Management Master Plan to enhance existing waste management services and systems. Assess the system’s capacity to serve current and future residents, recommend improvements and identify funding mechanisms and implementation partners. The plan should include landfill space plans and a food waste composting program that incorporates approaches for on-site food waste composting for residences and businesses.

Update the plan regularly to address changing needs and priorities.

PF4.B Install and maintain recycling receptacles downtown and in all public parks and major streets. Ensure that the design and appearance of the receptacles fosters high-quality community design, aesthetics, and character.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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5 SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, POLICE, AND FIRE
Policies
PF5.1 Support and cooperate with the St. Helena Unified School District in maintaining high-quality education as a community priority.

PF5.2 Promote the efficient use of school facilities for before- and after-hour programs that benefit both school-age children and the community at large.

PF5.3 Ensure that children have access to safe routes to school, especially by bicycle and walking.

PF5.4 Require that the approval of residential, commercial, or industrial development be contingent upon the mitigation of the impact of such development on the St. Helena Unified School District’s ability to serve school-age children.

PF5.5 Encourage continued support for the St. Helena public library and the library foundation to ensure that it maintains high-quality services for all St.

Helenans.

PF5.6 Partner with the St. Helena School District and other community stakeholders to develop a “Youth and Families Master Plan” that will allow more effective collaboration, communication, and coordination in providing services support and opportunities for St Helena’s youth.

PF5.7 Set a goal of a maximum fire department response time of 8 minutes within the St. Helena city limits.

PF5.8 Set a staffing ratio of 2 police officers per 1,000 population and for priority one calls, an average police department response time of 3 minutes or less.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
5 SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, POLICE, AND FIRE
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Implementing Actions
PF5.A Assist the School District in collecting school facility development fees generated by new development. Partner with the District to identify, establish, and implement additional measures to ensure that the highest quality of education is provided.

PF5.B Partner with the Napa County Office of Education, the Napa Valley Transportation Authority, the St. Helena Unified School District, and private schools in St. Helena to develop and implement local safe routes to school strategies to improve walking and bicycling access to schools and after-school programs; promote bicycling and walking to benefit students’ health; decrease automobile traffic near schools; and support local efforts to improve the environment. Align safe routes to school strategies with the City’s bicycle and pedestrian trail systems.

PF5.C Develop a City-sponsored internship program for St. Helena Unified School District students in order to provide high-quality job skills training and support the School District’s educational goals.

Agenda Item #5.1.

circulation
chapter five
Agenda Item #5.1.

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A multimodal transportation
network includes bicycles,
pedestrians, transit, and
automobiles.

5.1 Purpose of the Element
The Circulation Element provides the framework for a comprehensive and multimodal transportation network that supports and integrates with the other elements of the General Plan, especially the Land Use and Growth Management Element. The Circulation Element identifies the principal components of the City’s circulation system, as well as issues related to parking, public transit, and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Standards and guiding principles for the implementation of transportation improvements are also included.

In increasing numbers, citizens of all ages in St. Helena are interested alternatives to the automobile, including walking, biking, and moving throughout the community in golf carts and other electric non-automobile vehicles. Given the relatively flat topography of most of St. Helena, the city provides ideal conditions for such alternative modes of transportation. A shift from traditional automobilebased transportation to alternative modes of transportation within St. Helena will bring numerous benefits to the community, including but not limited to:
• Decreased automobile traffic throughout the city due to an increased number of citizens choosing to walk, or bike, or use alternative modes of travel within the city;
• Health benefits for residents of St. Helena as a result of increased use of active transportation, including walking and biking;
1 introduction
2 land use and growth
management
3 economic sustainability
4 public facilities and
services
5 circulation
6 historic resources
7 community design
8 open space and
conservation
9 public health, safety, and
noise
10 climate change
11 housing
12 parks and recreation
13 arts, culture, and
entertainment
Agenda Item #5.1.

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• Decreased air pollution due to less automobile operation throughout the city; and
• Reduced wear and tear on streets within St. Helena.

In January 2012, the City of St Helena completed and approved a citywide bicycle and multimodal plan which is integrated with the Napa County bicycle network and the Napa Vine Trail. The approved plan will provide safe and convenient bicycle, pedestrian, and multi-modal access to schools, parks, open spaces, commercial areas, residential neighborhoods, and community facilities.

With this plan and vision in place, the foundation to create a safer and healthier pedestrian and bicycle environment has been established. The City is focused and committed to turning this plan into reality.

The Circulation Element includes the following sections:
• 5.2 Circulation and Mobility Framework for St. Helena. Describes a framework for circulation and mobility (p. 5-4).
• 5.3 Key Findings. Identifies key findings based on an existing conditions analysis (p.5-6).
• 5.4 St. Helena’s Circulation and Mobility Future. Describes St. Helena’s transportation future, including the proposed street typology system and network, pedestrian and bicycle network, transportation performance measures, and transportation demand management (TDM) program (p. 5-13). • 5.5 Goals. Defines goals that focus the direction of changes to St. Helena’s transportation infrastructure and mobility and circulation-related policies and programs (p. 5-29).
• 5.6 Policies and Implementing Actions. Identifies policies and implementing actions to develop an efficient, multimodal transportation network that minimizes impacts to the environment and neighborhoods (p. 5-31).

Agenda Item #5.1.

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5.2 Circulation and Mobility Framework for St. Helena
Transportation planning in California is undergoing a broad transformation. A changing demographic, the growing movement to combat climate change, and an increasing focus on the public health benefits of biking and walking all highlight the need to provide greater choice in local and regional travel.

Multimodal transportation and the integration of land use and transportation planning, while always important, are central components of this paradigm shift which has occurred within St. Helena, as well as statewide. These concepts are widely accepted as essential to creating successful circulation and mobility improvements. As municipalities and agencies plan for change, individuals seek to minimize travel costs and learn more every day about how decreasing their reliance on the automobile can reduce their carbon footprint and improve their physical health and well-being.

As part of this paradigm-shift, mobility no longer focuses only on private automobile and public transit use. Increasingly, it is defined by how community members can use alternative modes of transportation efficiently. The size, topography, and climate of St. Helena make it an ideal city for both walking and biking. According to data from the 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for the City of St. Helena , approximately 6 percent of St. Helena residents walk to work. This is a higher rate than the countywide average of 4 percent and reflects the City’s continuing efforts to create and preserve safe walking environments and a pedestrian-friendly community. At the same time, less than 2 percent of St. Helena residents travel to work by bike and less than 1 percent commute by public transit. This reality underscores the importance of continued efforts to build a comprehensive circulation network in support of multiple travel modes (see Table 5.1). Circulation, as defined in this element, promotes human-scale mobility through a network of pathways and infrastructure that does not rely solely on the expansion of automobile roadways.

Past transportation planning methods have relied heavily on a traditional street classification and performance measurement system that focuses solely on the capacity of streets to accommodate automobile traffic volume, improve Regional planning initiatives
such as the Napa Countywide
Pedestrian Plan and the Napa
County Travel Behavior
Study provide context for
the circulation and mobility
framework in St. Helena
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-5
5 circulation
traffic speed, and reduce delay time. This narrow approach fails to consider overall mobility, the existing and desired land use character of the community or conditions for non-automobile users. To better reflect and promote the paradigm shift towards non-automobile-based transportation within St. Helena, the traditional approach to transportation planning must be expanded to address “complete streets”. Efforts to improve the City’s network of streets, sidewalks, and services must meet important circulation and mobility goals and also contribute to broader efforts to create safe and attractive environments for human interaction.

In support of these concepts, the General Plan recognizes the need to establish new street typologies and performance standards, while tailoring improvements and mitigation to support multiple modes of travel and enhance surrounding land uses. The Circulation
Element sets forth goals,
policies, and implementing
actions that bolster this placebased approach and will guide decisions about improvements
to the public right-of-way to best
meet the community’s vision and
to maximize the safety of St.

Helena’s residents and visitors.

TABLE 5.1: Journey to Work by Mode of Travel
Mode
St. Helena Napa County
2000 2016 2000 2016
Drove alone 69.2% 77.8% 72.7% 75.8%
Carpooled 13.1% 3.8% 14.8% 11.6%
Transit 1.3% 1.0% 1.4% 1.5%
Bicycle 0.3% 2.6% 0.2% 0.7%
Motorcycle 0.0% 0.0% 0.8% 0.1%
Walked 7.2% 6.2% 4.1% 4.0%
Other means 0.9% 0.0% 0.8% 0.5%
Worked at home 8.0% 8.6% 5.1% 5.8%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census 2000, American Community Survey 2016 Estimates Agenda Item #5.1.

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5.3 Key Findings
There are several challenges and opportunities facing St. Helena related to circulation. The following key findings are based upon comprehensive existing conditions analysis and community input.
• St. Helena’s street network has largely been developed on a grid. However, some sections of the network, particularly on the east side of State Route 29, are not connected. The lack of a complete traffic circulation system funnels the majority of local trips onto several streets, particularly when State Route 29 is heavily congested. The 1993 General Plan included plans for multiple street extensions on local roadways to accommodate future development. While a handful of projects have been implemented, most have not. Given the shift towards non-automobile-based transportation, these extensions are an opportunity to create bicycle and pedestrian connections (as well as emergency vehicular access where appropriate and beneficial) to improve non-automobile circulation throughout the city. Additionally, development of a comprehensive traffic calming program with a focus on nonautomotive circulation improvements will preserve and enhance the livability of neighborhoods and address resident concerns about traffic safety, such as speeding on residential streets.
• According to U.S Census data, the mode share for bicycle and pedestrian commute trips from St. Helena decreased between 1990 and 2000 (by 1.0 percent and 1.2 percent respectively). This trend has continued to present day for pedestrians but has changed for cyclists. Based on the 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, the percentage of St. Helena residents who walk to work decreased from 8.4 percent in 2012 to 6.2 percent in 2016, while over the same time period, the numbers of those biking to work in St. Helena increased from 0.6 percent to 2.5 percent since adopting the bicycle master plan. Developing a comprehensive, safe and accessible pedestrian and bicycle network will promote non-motorized trips and reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips, as well as reflect trends in how St. Helena residents move around the city and larger Napa Valley region. • St. Helena’s senior population is expected to increase substantially by 2040.

Planning for and developing a pedestrian network that accommodates the city’s most vulnerable users, such as seniors, children, and individuals of Many neighborhoods are
within walking distance of
schools and the downtown.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-7
5 circulation
limited mobility, will ensure that St. Helena’s streets are safe and accessible for all, in consideration of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

St. Helena’s senior population will increase substantially by 2030. A pedestrian network that accommodates the City’s most vulnerable users, such as seniors, children and individuals of limited mobility, will ensure that St. Helena’s streets are safe and accessible for all. Relevant planning initiatives include the 2010 ADA Transition Plan and the 2016 Napa Countywide Pedestrian Plan. • Many families live within walking or biking distance of St. Helena’s schools, which presents an opportunity to decrease automobile use. Safe Routes to School is a national program that improves safety and encourages students to walk and bicycle to school. Such programs work to reduce traffic congestion and improve the health of both children and the environment, and funding is available for implementation from State and federal sources.

TABLE 5.2: Destinations for Weekday Trips of Residents Living in St. Helena Origin Destination
Number of Total
Trips
Percentage of
Total Trips
St. Helena St. Helena 6,450 41%
St. Helena Napa 1,896 12%
St. Helena Calistoga 655 4%
St. Helena Yountville 98 1%
St. Helena American Canyon 125 1%
St. Helena Remainder of
Napa County 5,564 36%
St. Helena Outside Napa
County 801 5%
Total 2,703 100%
Source: Napa County Travel Behavioral Study, Fehr and Peers, 2014 Agenda Item #5.1.

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• Several open spaces and parks located within St. Helena and in the surrounding area, including agricultural areas and the Napa Valley Vine Trail, lack well-defined and accessible connections for both pedestrians and bicyclists. Funding sources for the rehabilitation of existing sidewalks to ensure the safety of residents and visitors is also needed. Future opportunities for the development of multi-use paths with an emphasis on access, wayfinding, signage, and parking locations at trailheads will be a priority. Similarly, collaboration with other jurisdictions to expand opportunities to provide pedestrian and bicycle access throughout the Napa Valley requires focus, as these improvements have the potential to create alternative recreational and commuting opportunities for both visitors and local residents. • In the past, St. Helena has relied solely on traditional Level of Service (LOS) standards for measuring transportation impacts from new development, which account for auto vehicle delay at intersections and along roadway segments. This approach, while effective in measuring and regulating vehicular transportation impacts, does not place any emphasis on enhancing TABLE 5.3: Origin of Workers Traveling to St. Helena for Work Origin Destination
Number of Total
Workers
Percentage of
Total Workers
Napa St. Helena 1,793 11%
St. Helena St. Helena 6,450 39%
Calistoga St. Helena 444 3%
Yountville St. Helena 246 3%
Remainder of
Napa County St. Helena 6,841 41%
Living Elsewhere in
California St. Helena 841 5%
Total 16,615 100%
Source: Napa County Travel Behavior Study, Fehr and Peers, 2014 Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-9
5 circulation
the use of alternate modes of transportation, such as the transit, walking, and bicycling by enhancing access to those modes of transportation. This General Plan includes policies and implementation measures that rely on the use of LOS, while supporting all modes of travel when measuring and mitigating transportation impacts.
• With a statewide emphasis on shifting travel from single-occupancy vehicles to carpooling, transit use, and increasing bicycle and pedestrian trips to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), new performance measures that recognize the priorities of a range of roadway users will be needed.
• According to U.S. Census data, more workers are commuting into St. Helena than are living within the city. This suggests a mismatch between the type of employment and residential units in St. Helena. A balanced ratio between jobs and housing can help reduce travel times and traffic congestion, as well as VMT.
• The primary transit option in the Napa Valley is the Vine bus service.

Development and land use patterns in the Napa Valley have resulted in low rates of transit ridership. According to the 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 0.9 percent of St. Helena residents commute by The St. Helena Vine
provides local service
throughout the City.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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transit as compared to 5.2 percent statewide. Additional funding and support for increasing bus service will enhance long-term strategies for a sustainable transportation system.
• A significant portion of Napa County’s traffic congestion results from tourists traveling throughout the region. There is increasing support for tourism that places less reliance on the automobile, such as the development of new resort/ hotel facilities that are located and designed so that guests can conveniently walk or bike to nearby dining, shops, and other local amenities, or that rely on shuttle transportation provided by the resort/hotel. The development of the Vine Trail, a regional walking and biking trail system will connect St. Helena to the rest of the Napa Valley, and will also help increase reliance on pedestrian and bicycle transportation modes, thereby helping to manage congestion in the area.
• Regional trips to and from St. Helena typically begin or end within Napa County. The majority of these trips originate and/or terminate in the City of Napa, Deer Park, Calistoga, Yountville, and Angwin. Developing viable transportation alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips for these regional trips will help to reduce VMT.
• Because State Route 29 is the main route for vehicles traveling from Lake County or Northern Sonoma County to the City of Napa and destinations to the south, inter-county travel contributes to significant congestion along St.

Helena’s Main Street. During peak travel times, less than half of all vehicles on State Route 29 are traveling to or from destinations within St. Helena.

While policies and implementing actions in the General Plan seek to improve circulation within the city, additional housing, employment, and public transit policies at the regional level will be required to reduce VMT throughout the Napa Valley, and in turn, St. Helena.
• Although there is rail service for tourists on the Wine Train, no commuter rail service exists at this time. According to the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) 2003 Napa/Solano Passenger/Freight Rail Study, commuter rail and light rail service in the area is not viable due to high costs, a small service population and lack of adequate rail infrastructure to support higher speeds.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-11
5 circulation
Vision 2040: Moving Napa Forward outlines a
comprehensive vision for the County’s transportation
system in 2040.

Regional Coordination
The Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) is
a key partner and resource in regional transportation
planning, programming and funding administration
for Napa County. The NVTA is a Joint Powers Agency
(JPA) comprised of the City of Calistoga, City of St.

Helena, Town of Yountville, City of Napa, City of
American Canyon, and Napa County. Originally known
as the Napa County Transportation and Planning
Agency (NCTPA), the agency’s Board of Directors
approved a resolution to re-brand as NVTA in February
2016 to clarify the agency’s role in the community.

The NVTA’s Board of Directors includes the mayors
and one councilmember of each of the jurisdictions
in the County, and the Chairman of the Board and
one Supervisor of Napa County, and one non-voting
representative from the Paratransit Coordinating
Council. The NVTA operates the countywide
transportation program, including countywide transit
service, paratransit, community shuttles, and the Vine
Transit.

In 2015, the NVTA issued The Napa Countywide
Transportation Plan - Vision 2040: Moving Napa Forward, a report that identifies the transportation issues facing Napa County and outlines a comprehensive vision for
the County’s transportation system in 2040. This report includes a series of goals designed to attain this vision and addresses how strategic transportation planning
may enable the County to resolve key issues that
might arise in the future due to projected population
and employment growth. The Circulation Element
includes a number of policies and implementation
actions that support NVTA recommendations, such as
transportation demand management.

CONCEPTS, TRENDS, AND IDEAS
Agenda Item #5.1.

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• The Napa Valley Wine Train, which operates on the former Southern Pacific Rail line, is a tourist-oriented, recreational ride carrying riders on a round trip between Napa and St. Helena. Due to an agreement with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the train does not currently stop to board or disembark passengers at any location other than the point of origination in the City of Napa and partnering wineries and vineyards included in select packages that include winery tours. Opportunities exist to reduce reliance on the automobile for access, given that if passengers are able to board and disembark in St Helena, this would decrease automobile traffic demand along the Wine Train Corridor. Additionally, hotel/hospitality facilities and other tourism-oriented amenities located in close proximity to the Wine Train right-of-way would be consistent with the City’s goal of reducing the tourism industry’s reliance on the automobile.

An interconnected multimodal
system will include bicycle and
pedestrian paths.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-13
5 circulation

5.4 St. Helena’s Circulation and Mobility Future
St. Helena’s transportation infrastructure and compact development pattern create a relatively walkable community, despite being located in a predominantly rural area. It also provides direct access to regional destinations throughout the Napa Valley. However, key constraints to efficient and sustainable circulation in St. Helena include congestion along State Route 29 and regional land use patterns that are not conducive to efficient transit service, walking or biking.

The City of St. Helena and Napa County share the goal of reducing traffic congestion in the region by encouraging the development of a multimodal transportation network, supported by land use decisions that encourage alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle trips. The Circulation Element identifies the key components of a sustainable transportation system, including the following:
• Street Typology System and Network;
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Network;
• Transportation Performance Measures; and
• Transportation Demand Management Program.

Bicycle and pedestrian paths
can be located adjacent to
creeks.

Agenda Item #5.1.

5-14 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
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STREET TYPOLOGY SYSTEM AND NETWORK
Street Typology System
The General Plan street network and street typology system is shown on Figure

5.1. The St. Helena General Plan Circulation Element introduces a new street typology system, replacing the previous street classifications, which established one set of design and operation standards based on a rigid, hierarchical classification of roadways. New street typologies consider the street context and alternate travel modes to help ensure that street standards consider a roadway’s relation to its surrounding land uses, appropriate travel speeds, and the need to accommodate multiple travel modes.

The streets of a given neighborhood or district have characteristics that generally follow the land use character of that area and the role that streets play in the greater street network of the surrounding community. For example, a residential street that serves as a collector will have different characteristics and design features from a residential street that provides local access. Similarly, a downtown/mixed-use street and an industrial collector street serve different Residential streets provide
access to neighborhoods.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-15
5 circulation
functions. A downtown/mixed-use street emphasizes accommodating several transportation modes, while an industrial collector emphasizes accommodating heavy trucks and automobiles. Consequently, the design features and overall user experience may differ greatly.

The following street typologies are part of the City’s new street typology system.

Application of these standards should be considered for any new development, street repaving, or redevelopment project.
• Open Space/Rural Street – Provides access to open space, vineyard and agricultural areas, and rural residential uses. Sidewalks and curbs are not typically present on rural street types, though bicycle boulevards and low speed limits may be present on some open space or rural streets. • Industrial Collector Street – Supports truck access to manufacturing and industrial land uses. While sidewalks are present on all streets, bicycle, and transit facilities are not typically present for this street typology. • Residential Street – Provides access to neighborhoods. This street type supports local trips, with an emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle amenities and slow driving speeds.
• Downtown/Mixed-Use Street – Supports all travel modes. It includes specific design features that promote livable streets and multimodal access such as wide sidewalks, traffic calming features, and bicycle boulevards. • Regional Connector Street (Main Street) – Supports all modes, but is primarily designed to provide citywide and regional access for cars, transit and trucks trips. As Main Street/State Route 29 is the key commercial center for St. Helena, specific design features that foster livable streets and multimodal access may be applied, including wide sidewalks with regular street crossings, high-quality pedestrian amenities, and enhanced bus transit facilities. At the edge of the downtown area, Main Street/State Route 29 transitions into a more suburban and rural environment. These sections have higher vehicle speeds and less walking and bicycling activity than the center of downtown.

Agenda Item #5.1.

5-16 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
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Y or k Cre e k
S u l p h u r C r e e k
N a p a R i v e r
Figure 5.1
Street Network
0 1/4 1/2 1
MILES

Source: City of St. Helena, 2018; Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018.

Howell Mountain Ro
Pope St
College Ave
Hunt Ave
Mills Ln
Dowdell Ln
Main St
Chaix Ln
Vintage Ave
Sulphur Springs Ave
Crane Ave
Vallejo St
Grayson Ave
Valley View St
Hudson Ave
Spring St
Sylvaner Ave
Hudson Ave
Madrona Ave
Sulphur Springs Ave
Fir Hill Dr
Dean York Dr
Hillview Pl
Vineyard Ave
Scott St
Spring Mountain Rd
Allyn Ave
Stockton St
Spring St
Mitchell Dr
Tainter St
Adams St
Kearney St
Oak Ave
Elmhurst Ave
Madrona Ave
Fulton Ln Railroad Ave
Adams St
Main St
Park St
Crinella Dr
Pratt Ave
Star Ave
Edwards St
Allison Ave
Mccorkle Ave
Charter Oak Ave
Church St
Chiles Ave
Pope St
Pine St
El Bonita Ave
Mccormick St
La Fata St
Brittany Ln
Big Rock Rd
How ellMo untain Ro
Ridgeview Ln
Deer Park Rd
Crane Ave
Chablis Cir
Madrona Ave
SpringMountain Rd
Palmer Dr
CharterOak Ave
Library Ln
Paseo Grand Dr
Silverado Trail
Silverado Trail
Lewelling Ln
White Ln
Inglewood Ave
Stice Ln
Zinfandel Ln
Mountain View Ln
Garden Ave
Walnut Dr
White S ulp hur Spring Rd
Meadowood D Silverado Trail
Madrone Knoll W Knoll Pl
29 29
City Limits
Study Areas
Regional Connector
Downtown/Mixed-Use Street (Existing)
Industrial Collector
Open Space/Rural Street
Residential Street
Wine Train
Downtown/Mixed-Use Street (New)

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-17
5 circulation
TABLE 5.4: Street Typologies
Street
Typology
Vehicle Traffic
Levels
Pedestrian
Facilities
Bicycle
Facilities
(designated
network)
Desired
Vehicle
Speeds/
Traffic
Calming
Truck Route
Transportation
Performance
Measure
Open Space/
Rural Street
Low /
moderate
Sidewalks
not typically
included
Bicycle route
or boulevard
25-35 mph/
Yes Accommodated
Citywide ATG1,
bicycle connectivity, pedestrian connectivity
Industrial
Collector
Street
Low Sidewalks Typically none 25 mph/ No Accommodated
Citywide ATG,
bicycle connectivity, pedestrian connectivity
Residential
Street
Low /
moderate
Sidewalks (with
landscape buffer or street
trees where
appropriate),
crosswalks
where appropriate
Bicycle boulevard or lane15-25 mph/
Yes
Accommodated
on designated
routes
Citywide ATG,
bicycle connectivity, pedestrian connectivity
Downtown/
Mixed-Use
Street
Low to
moderate
Wide sidewalks
(with landscape
buffer or street
trees where
appropriate),
regular crosswalks
Bicycle
boulevard or
lane
25 mph/ Yes
Accommodated
on designated
routes
Citywide ATG,
Bicycle connectivity, pedestrian connectivity
Regional
Connector
Street
(Main Street)
High
Wide sidewalks
(with landscape
buffer or street
trees where
appropriate)
and regular
crosswalks in
downtown
area. Outside
of downtown:
regular crosswalks and sidewalks included
where demand
warrants
Bicycle route,
lane or adjacent trail
25 -35 mph/
contextbasedAccommodated
Peak hour vehicle travel time,
citywide ATG
Notes: 1ATG = Automobile Trip Generation
Source: Fehr & Peers, 2009
Agenda Item #5.1.

5-18 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
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enaL levarT Travel Lane ediS
walk
Side
walk
Landscape
Buer
Landscape
Buer
Parallel
Parking
Bike
Lane
Parallel
Parking
Bike
Lane
Residential
Street
Wide Travel Lane Travel Lane
Sidewalk Landscape
Buer
Parallel
Parking
Bike
Lane
Parallel
Parking
Bike
Lane
Wide
Sidewalk
Landscape
Buer
Mixed-Use
Street
Downtown/
Wide Travel Lane Travel Lane
Sidewalk
Trees
and
Street
Furniture
Trees
and
Street
Furniture
Parallel
Parking
Bike
Lane
Parallel
Parking
Bike
Lane
Regional
Connector
Street
Wide
Sidewalk
Travel Lane Travel Lane
Open Space/
Rural Street
klawediS enaL levarT Travel Lane lellaraP klawediS
Parking
Parallel
Parking
Industrial
Collector
Street
Figure 5.2
Street Typology Cross Sections
Source: City of St. Helena; Napa County
December 2009
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-19
5 circulation
Crane
Park
Wappo
Park
Jacob
Meily
Park
Lyman
Park
¬«4A
¬«2B
¬«3
¬«2C
¬«4B
¬«2A
¬«1
Lodi Ln
York Ln
·|}29
Silverado Trail
Fawn Park Rd
Deer Park Rd
Knoll Pl
Charter Oak Ave
Allison Ave
Charter Oak Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
R
Chiles Ave
ailroad Ave
Stockton St
Spring Mountain Rd
Palmer Dr
M adron a Ave Sylvaner Ave
White Sulphur Springs Rd Sul ph ur S prings Ave
Mccormick St
Contento Ln
Ho well Mountai n Rd
Meadowwood Ln
·|}29
Hudson Ave
Silverado Trail
College Ave
Boyson Ln
Del Rio Ct
MountainView Ave
Money Way
Edwards St
Vineland Ave
El Bonita Ave
Laguna Seca
Victoria Ln
Stockton St
Elmhurst Ave
Hollis Ln
N Crane Ave
La Fata St
W heeler Ln
Valley View St
Pinot Way
Tokay Ln
Garden Ave
Mitchell Dr
Kearney St
Starr Ave
Hudson Ave
Vineyard Ave
Scott St
Park St
Mccorkle Ave
Melrose Ln
Dean York Ln
Allyn Ave
Tainter St
Fir Hill Dr
Hillview Pl
Grayson Ave
Inglewood Ave
Stice Ln
White Ln
Dowdell Ln
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
Hunt Ave
Oak Ave
Vallejo St
Adams St
Zinfandel Ln
Fulton Ln
Madrona Ave
Pratt Ave
Mills Ln
Pope St
Silverado Trail
Chaix Ln
Spring St
Conn Vall e y Rd
B gi Rock Rd
Stanton Dr
Davis Ln
Potential Future Roadway Parks and Open Space
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Potential Future Roadway Extensions
Data Source: City of St. Helena, 2018; Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000Feet
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
¬«1 Starr Avenue extension north to
Adams Street
¬«2A College Avenue, Starr Avenue or
Allison Avenue extension to
Mills Lane
¬«2B
¬«2C
Figure 5.3
¬«3 Adams Street from its current
eastern terminus to Starr Avenue
¬«4A Extension to Silverado Trail,
by extending Adams Street ¬« or Mills Lane. 4B
Agenda Item #5.1.

5-20 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
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Circulation Study Alternatives
The St. Helena street network includes one new roadway, the extension of Oak Avenue from Mitchell Drive to Grayson Avenue, to be constructed as a Downtown Mixed Use street. In order to manage congestion and provide additional new connections within the city, as part of the General Plan update, several other new streets are identified as potential options to explore in the future. In most cases, the potential connections provide options for residents to travel from one part of town to another without having to travel on State Route 29, which is frequently congested due to high regional traffic demand. The potential street extensions provide for various levels of access to accommodate different modes of travel. As shown in Figure 5.3, they include the following:

General Plan implementing action CR1.B provides guidance for any future roadway extensions. The City envisions that each of the “Future Roadway Extensions”, as identified in Figure 5.3, would at a minimum consist of a bicycle/pedestrian path, equivalent to a “Class 1 Bike Path”, and would also be designed to accommodate emergency vehicles. Any proposed improvement of the road extensions identified in Figure 5.3 intended to accommodate vehicular automobile and truck traffic would trigger a requirement for a “Special Study”, subject to City Council approval, to assess the net benefit of the proposed vehicular improvement, including, among other issues, the cost of constructing the vehicular extension and any impacts of the vehicular extension on roads and neighborhoods in the area. Any development project proposed on property located within the future alignment of the “Future Roadway Extensions” as depicted in Figure 5.3, would,

1.0. 2A/2B/2C.

3.0. 4A/4B.

Starr Avenue extension north to Adams Street;
Starr Avenue, College Avenue, or Allison Avenue extension to Mills Lane;
Adams Street extension from its current eastern terminus to Starr Avenue; and
Alternative extensions to the Silverado Trail, by studying potential extensions of Adams Street or Mills Lane.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-21
5 circulation
as part of their review and entitlement process, be responsible for preparing a “Special Study” as described in this Chapter to determine whether the subject extension will consist of the minimum bike/pedestrian path improvement, or if the extension will be constructed to also accommodate vehicular auto and truck traffic. In either case, the subject development project would construct and fund its “fair share” cost of the “Future Roadway Extension”.

To reduce the attractiveness of the new streets as cut-through routes, vehicle turn restrictions may be implemented at particular locations. In some locations, new bridges may also be needed to replace bridges at the end of their design life, or as part of new street connections.

Sidewalks in the Central
Business District have several
pedestrian amenities such
as benches, trees, and street
lights.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE NETWORK
Pedestrian Circulation
The Central Business District surrounding Main Street is where the greatest number of pedestrians will be served in St. Helena. Downtown was originally developed with a grid of streets that includes a comprehensive network of sidewalks. Older neighborhoods surrounding the downtown core generally have well-maintained sidewalks that provide pedestrian access between residential areas and schools, community centers, and other walkable destinations.

Neighborhoods near the city’s periphery have fewer pedestrian amenities, and many lack sidewalks. Some of these neighborhoods have a rural character where sidewalks may not be appropriate, whereas other post-World War II suburban developments were designed primarily for vehicular access and would benefit from improved pedestrian access
An inventory of existing sidewalks, marked crosswalks, curb ramps and trails was completed for St. Helena as part of the 2016 Napa Countywide Pedestrian Plan (See Figure 5.4). The Countywide Plan, which includes a pedestrian plan for St.

Helena, identified pedestrian improvements for key areas of the city in order to improve pedestrian circulation in the vicinity of schools, businesses, and transit facilities, as well as to bolster connections to multi-use pathways.

Bicycle Circulation
St. Helena has an extensive network of Class III bicycle routes, which are routes marked for shared use with motor vehicles. However, bike lanes and multi-use paths that provide dedicated space for bicyclists have not yet been developed in St. Helena, and bicycle support facilities, such as bicycle parking, are lacking in many areas. Additionally, both pedestrian and bicycle access to open space and regional destinations throughout the Napa Valley could be improved through a system of off-street multi-use paths.

Reducing local vehicle trips into downtown St. Helena by shifting those trips to biking or walking would help alleviate congestion and parking concerns and promote increased health. Implementation of a citywide bikeway network that St. Helena has several Class III
bicycle routes.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-23
5 circulation
includes the construction of bicycle facilities at activity centers throughout the city could greatly increase the mode share of bicycling. Key activity centers that could be conducive to increased rates of bicycling include the downtown area, bus stops, schools, parks, hotels, and local wineries. Development of the Vine Trail and a shared use path along Sulphur Creek would provide greater recreational, tourist, and commuting choices by bicycle.

Bicycle Classifications
The City’s bikeways include three classifications: bike paths, lanes, and routes.

These classifications are described below.

Class I Bikeway (Bike Path) paths provide a separate right-of-way and are designated for the exclusive use of people riding bicycles and walking with minimal cross-flow of vehicle traffic. Class I Bikeways can also offer opportunities not provided by the road system by serving as both recreational areas and/or desirable commuter routes.

Class II Bike Lanes provide designated street space for bicyclists, typically adjacent to the outer vehicle travel lanes. Bike lanes include special lane markings, pavement legends, and signage. Bike lanes may be enhanced with painted buffers between vehicle lanes and/or parking, and green paint at conflict zones (such as driveways or intersections).

Class III Bike Routes provide enhanced mixed-traffic conditions for bicyclists through signage, striping, and/or traffic calming treatments, and to provide continuity to a bikeway network. Bike routes are typically designated along gaps between bike trails or bike lanes, or along low-volume, low-speed streets.

Bicycle boulevards provide further enhancements to bike routes to encourage slow speeds and discourage non-local vehicle traffic via traffic diverters, chicanes, traffic circles, and/or speed tables. Bicycle boulevards can also feature special wayfinding signage to nearby destinations or other bikeways.

Class IV Bikeway (Separated Bikeway) Separated Bikeways, also referred to as cycle tracks or protected bikeways, are bikeways for the exclusive use of bicycles which are physically separated from vehicle traffic. Guidelines for Separated Agenda Item #5.1.

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Conn Creek
Napa River
Sulpher Creek
York Creek
Canon Creek
Valley View Ave
·|}29
·|}29
Silverado Trl
Chaix Ln
Pope St
Mills Ln
Pratt Ave
Zinfandel Ln
Fulton Ln
Meadowood Ln
Deer Park Rd
Vallejo St
H owell Mountain Rd
Dowdell Ln
Lodi Ln
Ma drona Ave
White Ln
Big Rock Rd
Inglewood Ave
Stice Ln
Conn Valley Rd
Mitchell Dr
Hillview Pl
Fir Hill Dr
Tainter St
Allyn Ave
Dean York Ln
Melrose Ln
Mccorkle Ave
Park St
White Sulphur Springs Rd
Pine St
Spring Mountain Rd
York Ln
Scott St
Vineyard Ave
Hudson Ave
Kearney St
Fawn Park Rd
Railroad Ave
Sylvaner Ave
W Zinfandel Ln
College Ave
Camino Vista
Garden Ave
Tokay Ln
Vintage Ave
Pinot Way
Wheeler Ln
N Crane Ave
Birch St
Bello Ave
Chiles Ave
La Fata St
Hollis Ln
Paseo Grand Dr
Taplin Rd
Brittany Ln
Knoll Pl Ridgevie w Ln
Elmhurst Ave
Stockton St
Victoria Ln
Laguna Seca
Oakwood Ln
Stanton Dr
El Bonita Ave
Crinella Dr
Vineland Ave
Edwards St
Money Way
Mountain View Ave
Church St
Boyson Ln
Via Monte
Charter Oak Ave
Lydia Ln
Oak Ave
Olive Ave
Rosebud Ln
Moorhead Ln
Hunt Ave
Brown St
Library Ln
Grove Ct
Arrowhead Dr
Vidovich Ave
Paulson Ct
Riesling Way
Fountain St
Sarahs Way
Kidd Ranch Rd
Kennedy Ct
Spring Brook Ct
Kearney St
Pine St
Brittany Ln
Railroads
Water Features
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Curb
Asphalt
Existing
Missing
Figure 5.4
Pedestrian Facilities in St. Helena
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Data Source: City of St. Helena, 2019; NVTA, 2019; Dyett & Bhatia, 2019 0 1,000 2,000 4,000
Feet
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-25
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!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!( !(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!( !(
!(
!(
Crane
Park
Wappo
Park
Jacob
Meily
Park
Lyman
Park
Lodi Ln
York Ln
·|}29
Silverado Trail
Fawn Park Rd
Deer Park Rd
Charter Oak Ave
Allison Ave
Charter Oak Ave
Paseo Grand Dr
R
Chiles Ave
ailroad Ave
Stockton St
Spring Mountain Rd
Palmer Dr
M adron a Ave Sylvaner Ave
White Sulphur Springs Rd Sul ph ur S prings Ave
Mccormick St
Contento Ln
Ho well Mountai n Rd
Meadowwood Ln
·|}29
Hudson Ave
Silverado Trail
College Ave
Boyson Ln
Del Rio Ct
MountainView Ave
Money Way
Edwards St
Vineland Ave
El Bonita Ave
Stanton Dr
Laguna Seca
Victoria Ln
Stockton St
Elmhurst Ave
Hollis Ln
La Fata St
Davis Ln
N Crane Ave
W heeler Ln
Valley View St
Pinot Way
Tokay Ln
Garden Ave
Mitchell Dr
Kearney St
Starr Ave
Hudson Ave
Vineyard Ave
Scott St
Park St
Mccorkle Ave
Melrose Ln
Dean York Ln
Allyn Ave
Tainter St
Fir Hill Dr
Hillview Pl
Grayson Ave
Inglewood Ave
Stice Ln
White Ln
Dowdell Ln
Crane Ave
Lewelling Ln
Hunt Ave
Oak Ave
Vallejo St
Adams St
Zinfandel Ln
Fulton Ln
Madrona Ave
Pratt Ave
Mills Ln
Pope St
Silverado Trail
Chaix Ln
Spring St
Knoll Pl
Conn Vall e y Rd
B gi Rock Rd
Proposed 2040 Bicycle Network
Proposed Class I Bicycle Path
Proposed Class II Bicycle Lane
Proposed Class III Bicycle Route
Proposed Bicycle Boulevard
Proposed Napa Valley Vine Trail*
Existing Class II Bicycle Lane**
Highway
Major Roads
Local Roads
!( School
!( Public Facility
Railroads
Parks and Open Space
Urban Limit Line
Study Areas
City of St. Helena
Figure 5.5
Bicycle Network
Data Source: City of St. Helena, 2018; Napa County, 2018; Dyett & Bhatia, 2018 0 1,000 2,000 4,000Feet
C i t y o f S t . H e l e n a

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
* The Proposed Napa Valley VineTrail will
include Class I, Class II and Class III segments.
** The existing bike path is a
County path.

Agenda Item #5.1.

5-26 | ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040
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Bikeways were recently adopted by Caltrans in 2015. Types of separation may include, but are not limited to, grade separation, flexible posts, physical barriers, or on-street parking.

Approved Bicycle Network
St. Helena’s bicycle network aims to maximize connectivity throughout the city (Figure 5.5). The St. Helena Bicycle Plan, prepared in collaboration with the Napa Valley Transportation Authority, outlines existing and planned bicycle routes intended to provide safe and convenient bicycle access to parks, open spaces, commercial areas, residential neighborhoods, and community facilities. Once completed, the network will play a key role in bolstering the City’s efforts to increase the use of bicycles as non-auto modes of transit, and to reduce overall vehicle miles traveled in the city.

Proposed Class I bicycle pathways cross the city, connecting parks and open spaces with multimodal trails that are completely separate from auto traffic.

These shared-use pathways provide key cross-city connections and include the proposed Napa Valley Vine Trail and a shared-use path along Sulphur Creek and A Class I bike trail connects
Pope Street to Wappo Park
Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-27
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the Napa River. Additional Class I pathways connect the Lower Reservoir Park to Spring Mountain Road and Crane Park to Grayson Avenue. Shared-use paths should accommodate all pedestrians, including persons that use an assistive mobility device for a disability or medical condition.

Class II bicycle pathways that provide a designated lane for bicycle travel are proposed along many of St. Helena’s streets. Key east-west routes include:

Madrona Avenue between Main Street and Sylvaner Avenue; Spring Street between Oak Avenue and Sulphur Creek; Pope Street between Main Street and Silverado Trail; and Grayson Avenue and Sulphur Springs Avenue, between Main Street and Crane Avenue. Key north-south routes are located on Spring Mountain Road, Valley View Street, Crane Avenue, and State Route 29 between Deer Park Road and Pratt Avenue.

The network includes a series of Class III pathways designated for shared-use of vehicles and bicycles. Some of these pathways have an additional designation for use as Bicycle Boulevards. Key Class III pathways include Chaix Lane, Pratt Avenue, and State Route 29 between Pratt and Grayson avenues. Bicycle Boulevards are primarily located in the residential neighborhoods directly east Agenda Item #5.1.

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and west of Main Street. Key Bicycle Boulevards include Mitchell Drive, Adams Street, and Oak Avenue.

Bicycle Parking and Support Facilities
Every bicycle trip has two main components: the route selected by the bicyclist and the “end-of-trip” facilities at the destinations. The availability of both safe bicycle routes and secure and convenient facilities is critical to promoting greater bike usage in St. Helena. Bicycle facilities can include short- and long-term bicycle parking, showers, lockers, and good lighting.

Providing short- and long-term bicycle parking at key destinations, such as downtown St. Helena, parks, schools, community facilities, transit stops, and shopping areas, is an essential part of the development of a complete bicycle network. Bicycle parking that is highly visible, accessible, and easy to use can help encourage cycling as a mode of transportation in the community. Similarly, conveniently located facilities such as showers, bicycle repair stations, and air for inflating tires can encourage cycling, as can locating these facilities in well-lit areas and indoors or covered where possible.

TRANSPORTATION PERFORMANCE MEASURES
A key action to address the future of transportation and mobility in St. Helena will involve developing new transportation performance measures, in addition to more traditional level of service standards, to ensure a balanced perspective on transportation including all of the community’s values and interests. As such, the City is committed to augmenting the traditional automobile Level of Service (LOS) threshold with measures that capture transportation system performance from the perspective of all users and incorporate the environmental consequences of transportation decisions.

A new approach designed to achieve the following objectives will be needed:
• Develop an alternative way of evaluating new land use development impacts for automobiles, pedestrians, bicycles, and transit.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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• Develop a quantifiable way of measuring the transportation-related GHG impacts and benefits of new land use development and transportation infrastructure improvements.

The purpose of augmenting current transportation performance measures is to develop a meaningful nexus between transportation-related development impacts and appropriate actions to address these impacts. Additional performance measures would improve multimodal circulation and manage traffic congestion in St. Helena. The reasons for adopting new standards include:
• Mitigation measures based solely on traditional LOS can sometimes result in widening roads and intersections in a way that conflicts with community character or other values established in this General Plan. Additionally, such measures in isolation can encourage additional vehicle trips and have a negative impact on other travel modes.
• Thresholds for traditional LOS standards are not necessarily linked to the City’s vitality and quality of life and can make smart growth projects, such as mixed-use infill development in downtown St. Helena, more difficult.

Several targets, including operating standards for vehicular travel times on Main Street, standards for new auto trips generated by new development, as well as targets for increasing pedestrian and bicycle trips are set forth in the goals, policies, and implementing actions of this Element. Implementing action CR1.D calls for additional performance measures to improve multi-modal circulation and better address congestion in St. Helena.

TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies aim to reduce the amount of motor vehicle traffic and manage parking to make travel behaviors more sustainable. TDM policies and programs also encourage the use of modes other than single-occupancy vehicles for travel. Strategies may include carpooling and car-sharing, transit subsidies or reimbursements, paid parking, and the provision of bicycle support facilities at workplaces.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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The General Plan supports the establishment of a citywide TDM program to help reduce peak period motor vehicle traffic and manage vehicle parking within St. Helena. NVTA’s Strategic Transportation Plan identifies a number of TDM strategies that are applicable to reducing motor vehicle traffic congestion in St.

Helena. Funding for a citywide TDM program should be provided through traffic mitigation fees and in-lieu parking fees. In addition, the City should encourage existing employers to participate in the TDM program.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-31
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5.5 Goals
Meet Current and Future Transportation Needs.

Meet the current and future mobility needs of residents, businesses and tourists with a balanced, multimodal transportation system, with transportation performance measures that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, manage vehicle congestion along the citywide street network, and increase nonautomobile and emergency connections throughout St. Helena. The City plans and manages the transportation network to achieve the following objectives:
a) Ensure that Traffic Service Level “C” or better be maintained at all signalized and unsignalized intersections in St. Helena, except along Main St/Hwy 29 where Service Level “D” shall be permitted. Exceptions to this goal may be permitted in situations where the preexisting 2015 Traffic Service Level do not meet these “C” and “D” standards. In such situations, the projected Traffic Service Level resulting from a proposed project, shall not be “significantly lower” than the 2015 Traffic Service levels as documented in the 2018 General Plan Update Program EIR.

The City Council has the discretion to determine what constitutes a “significantly lower” Traffic Service Level.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Examples of measures of “significantly lower levels of service” include 1) should state deterioration from an acceptable LOS to an unacceptable LOS in accordance with NVTA’s Countywide Transportation Plan; 2) a significant increase in the volume to capacity ratio for a signalized intersection; or 3) a significant increase in delay at an unsignalized intersection.
b) Provide a complete bicycle and pedestrian network between residential areas, downtown, recreational open space areas, and other major activity centers identified by the City.
c) Reduce transportation-based GHG emissions communitywide and from Citycontrolled sources. d) Increase the share of trips made by transit, bicycling, and walking (as measured by the American Community Survey).
e) Reduce current peak hour vehicle travel times on Main Street. f) Create an Interconnected Multimodal Circulation System with a safe and integrated bicycle and pedestrian system throughout St. Helena for people of all ages and abilities.
g) Increase the City’s share of walking, bicycling, transit, and carpooling trips, in accordance with NVTA’s 2035 goals.
h) Provide a safe, efficient, and well-maintained circulation system that supports safe and efficient travel for all modes and users.
i) Ensure a Sustainable Transportation Network. Reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions and increase the mode share for all non-singleoccupancy trips. To achieve this goal, the City supports the use of transportation demand management (TDM) strategies that promote sustainable transportation practices through encouragement, education, and incentives.

Agenda Item #5.1.

ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-33
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5.6 Policies and Implementing Actions
A range of policies and implementing actions are outlined below and organized into the following topic areas:

1. Balanced and Multimodal System;

2. Safe, Accessible, and Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Network;

3. Sustainable Mobility Practices;

4. Safe and Well-Maintained Circulation System;

5. Parking; and

6. Improvements and Phasing.

The following policies and actions mandate, encourage, or allow certain initiatives to be pursued throughout the duration of the General Plan. Together, they provide strategic directions for City staff and partners, highlighting where time and resources should be focused.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
# TOPIC NAME
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topic area
1 BALANCED AND MULTIMODAL SYSTEM
Promoting complete streets
will balance the diverse needs
of pedestrians, bicycles,
automobiles, and transit.

Policies
CR1.1 Promote a connected street and bicycle and pedestrian network within the city to provide better internal automobile, bicycle, and pedestrian connections for residents.

CR1.2 Provide complete streets that balance the diverse needs of users of the public right-of-way, in accordance with the California Complete Streets Act of 2008.

CR1.3 Pursue appropriate funding for the
development of a balanced transportation
system.

CR1.4 Develop and use, in addition to
intersection level of service standards,
performance measures that consider all
road users to determine transportation
impacts of new development.

CR1.5 Avoid mitigation measures that
negatively impact the walking and bicycling
environment and encourage driving.

CR1.6 Continue to support NVTA in the
provision of convenient transit, including regional and local service. Support more frequent and reliable transit service between communities to reduce the number of people traveling to or from St. Helena to work by private vehicle.

Promote and encourage use of the St. Helena Vine Shuttle.

Agenda Item #5.1.

CR1.7 Explore the use of the rail corridor to reduce traffic, including working with the owners of the Wine Train to consider the possibility of developing hospitality and other tourist-oriented uses that are primarily accessed by passengers riding on the Wine Train Corridor.

CR1.8 Reduce transportation-based GHG emissions from City-controlled sources by employing the following strategies:
• Complete the City’s bicycle and pedestrian network, which will increase transportation choices in the city and reduce the demand for vehicle travel • Implement “smart growth” and sustainable planning principles as defined in the Land Use Element;
• Maximize the overall efficiency of the transportation system, including managing the transportation network through a citywide transportation system management program;Encourage/provide incentives for employee car pools.
• Implement “smart growth” and sustainable planning principles as defined in the Land Use and Growth Management Element;
• Encourage jobs/housing match, as defined in the Housing Element; and • Encourage/provide incentives for employee car pools.

CR1.9 Promote a walking and bicycling environment that is comfortable and convenient. Ensure that all St. Helena streets have no more than a single through-automobile lane in each direction, plus a single left-hand turning lane where appropriate, even if this requirement increases vehicle travel times. Allow exceptions if an extra lane would reduce the possibility of collisions.

CR1.10 Strive to maintain a ten minute or less travel time during peak periods along State Route 29, from the northern and southern city boundaries. topic area
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-35
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1 BALANCED AND MULTIMODAL SYSTEM
Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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1 BALANCED AND MULTIMODAL SYSTEM
CR1.11 Establish a multimodal transportation impact fee program as part of the City’s existing transportation impact fee, to finance and implement project mitigations that help achieve the City’s traffic reduction goals. As part of the multimodal transportation impact fee program, require new development to analyze travel demand and finance and construct all required off-site circulation improvements, including proposed road extensions, necessary to mitigate project impacts and to reduce the severity of cumulative transportation impacts to all modes of travel.

Implementing Actions
CR1.A Use the street typologies as defined in the Circulation Element as a basis for improving and managing streets. Improve vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle facilities on streets based on this system.

CR1.B Extend Oak Avenue south from Mitchell Drive to Grayson Avenue, constructing the new roadway as a two-lane Downtown/Mixed Use Street with bicycle lanes and sidewalks, consistent with the City’s Engineering Standards.

Implement traffic calming measures, such as speed lumps, bulb outs, and/or chicanes to limit travel speeds between intersections and optimize safety for all roadway users.

CR1.C Evaluate the following new connections to promote increased bicycle, pedestrian, and non-automobile-based transportation, consistent with the requirement for the preparation of a “Special Study” as described in the Circulation Element. Where feasible, preserve existing rights-of-way. • Starr Avenue extension north to Adams Street
• Consider three options for a connection to Mills Lane: a) Starr Avenue extension to Mills Lane; b) College Avenue extension to Mills Lane; or c) Allison Avenue extension to Mills Lane
• Adams Street from its current eastern terminus to Starr Avenue Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-37
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1 BALANCED AND MULTIMODAL SYSTEM
• Consider two options to connect downtown St. Helena to Silverado Trail: a) Adams Street extension to Silverado Trail; b) Mills Lane extension to Silverado Trail
CR1.D Identify streets that should become “more complete,” through consideration of transit priorities, sidewalk gap closures, new bikeways, and vehicle traffic calming measures.

CR1.E Adopt and implement transportation performance measures that promote an efficient transportation system from the perspective of all users. These performance measures shall supplement the City’s traditional automobile Level of Service (LOS) thresholds with the goal of improving multimodal circulation and managing traffic congestion in St. Helena.

CR1F Support efforts to secure additional funding for regional transit service to St. Helena for residents, workers and visitors as a viable alternative to travel by private automobile. Focus on improving the bus service for use by commuters.

CR1.G Subject all rail corridor uses to use permit review; locate passenger facilities within zoning districts which minimize impacts to established and proposed land uses.

CR1.H Study the potential for integrating Wine Train activities with car-free tourism strategies to provide an alternative for tourists to visit St. Helena without a car.

CR1.I Measure total automobile trips generated by new developments on a per project basis, to reduce vehicle trips. Maintain a citywide trip generation analysis methodology that evaluates the effects of land use and built environment changes on travel choices and behavior.

Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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CR1.J Evaluate changes to vehicle travel times along State Route 29 on a perdevelopment or per-project basis. Establish significance criteria for determining if an increase in travel time or decrease in Intersection Level of Service, resulting from new development is significant.

CR1.K As new land use development and redevelopment occurs, require the provision of links to existing streets, street right-of-way dedications, and improvements to the local roadway network (including pedestrian, transit, bicycle, and other non-motorized vehicle improvements), consistent with adopted Engineering Standards, public safety standards, and the St. Helena Bicycle Plan.

Additionally, in the case of subdivisions, require the provision of sidewalks on all local streets within the development.

CR1.L Adopt and implement a citywide, Multimodal Transportation Mitigation Fee program to provide funding on a fair share bases for transportation improvements that reduce citywide automobile trips and contribute to the provision of a continuous path of travel for walking and bicycling from the development site to the center of downtown and other key destinations. Such transportation improvements include completing the bicycle and pedestrian network, implementing transportation demand and systems management strategies, and improving traffic signal coordination on State Route 29. Ensure that fees take into consideration the contribution of new development to changes in net new automobile trips and change in travel time along State Route 29.

CR1.M Continue to work with Caltrans to ensure regional coordination and manage congestion on State Route 29.
1 BALANCED AND MULTIMODAL SYSTEM
Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-39
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Policies
CR2.1 Create a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian network that enhances neighborhood connectivity. Develop the system as shown in Figure 5.4 to expand and improve the pedestrian and bikeway system.

CR2.2 Promote walking and bicycling as safe and convenient modes of transportation.

CR2.3 Ensure secure, accessible, and
convenient bicycle parking facilities
throughout St. Helena, including downtown,
commercial areas, schools, and parks.

CR2.4 Preserve and enhance pedestrian
connectivity and safety throughout St.

Helena.

CR2.5 Improve the pedestrian experience
through streetscape enhancements, focusing
improvements where there is the greatest
need, and by orienting development toward
the street.

CR2.6 Encourage walking and bicycling trips to St. Helena schools.

Walking and bicycling
should be promoted as safe
and convenient modes of
transportation.
2 COMPREHENSIVE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE NETWORK
Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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Implementing Actions
CR2.A Implement a citywide bicycle and pedestrian master plan to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, and to encourage community members to walk and bike more often. Build on St. Helena’s existing partnership with the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) to ensure that the City’s master plan is consistent with countywide transportation planning efforts. Coordinate with NVTA, Napa County, and property and business owners and seek funding to implement the improvements identified for St. Helena in the Napa Countywide Pedestrian Plan.
(Also see the following elements: Open Space and Conservation, Topic Area 2; and Parks and Recreation, Topic Area 6)
CR2.B Develop guidelines for the design, construction and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian paths in St. Helena. Coordinate the guidelines with Napa County or regional trail connections.

CR2.C Require any new development and modifications to existing projects to provide bicycle and pedestrian improvements and amenities, consistent with adopted Engineering Standards and the St. Helena Bicycle Plan.

CR2.D Identify and pursue funding opportunities for bicycle projects on the local, state and federal levels. Update the existing and proposed bicycle system every five years, as required by Caltrans to qualify for Bicycle Transportation Account funding.

CR2.E Allocate funds and/or identify funding sources for pedestrian and streetscape improvements.

CR2.F Improve street crossings and gaps in the sidewalk system through development review and capital improvement projects.
2 COMPREHENSIVE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE NETWORK
Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
ST. HELENA GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 2040 | 5-41
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CR2.G Adopt a crosswalk installation policy to promote pedestrian safety and accessibility.

CR2.H Review pedestrian-vehicle collision data on an annual basis and identify areas for pedestrian safety improvements.

CR2.I Pursue state and federal grant opportunities to fund a Safe Routes to School program and other bike/pedestrian programs.

CR2.J Consider the feasibility of a citywide bike sharing program for municipal and/or public use.

CR2.K Require safe and accessible bicycle and pedestrian access for all newlydeveloped public facilities and sites.

CR2.L Enhance the pedestrian environment within the commercial area, and support the development of walking paths, multi-use trails, and bicycle trails throughout St. Helena with the goal of connecting to a countywide system.

Encourage the use of group transit options in order to decrease tourist-generated traffic congestion. Encourage the use of pedi-buses by the school district to guide children safely and in a more healthful and sustainable manner to school. 2 COMPREHENSIVE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE NETWORK
Agenda Item #5.1.

topic area
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Policies
CR3.1 Provide incentives and encourage existing major employers to develop and implement transportation demand management (TDM) programs to increase the number of people who bike, walk, and take transit to work and reduce peakperiod trip generation. Coordinate as appropriate with NVTA to implement strategies including the following:
• Transit subsidies or reimbursement
to residents and employees (often
referred to as “commuter check”
or “EcoPass”);
• Car-share, car-pooling, and
neighborhood electric vehicle
programs to reduce the need to
have a car or second car;
• Integrated bicycle parking and
support facilities, primarily to
reduce trips within the city;
• Modified parking codes to
manage the supply of parking that
generates frequent turn-over and
serves multiple users; and
• Marketing and information
programs to encourage alternative
transportation modes.

CR3.2 Support the implementation of NVTA goals to reduce/restrain growth of automobile vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

CR3.3 Shift travel from single-occupancy vehicles to other modes so that by 2040, 45 percent of work trips by St. Helena residents and workers are by carpool, transit, walking or bicycling (see Table 5.5 at the end of this section for 2040 commute mode split targets).

Supporting TDM programs
such as transit and car-sharing can reduce peak-period traffic.
3 SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY PRACTICES
Agenda Item #5.1.

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CR3.4 Work with the wine and hospitality industries to manage congestion and create and promote car-free tourism services, coordinating as appropriate with NVTA on TDM strategies.
(Also see the Environmental Sustainability Element, Topic Area 2) CR3.5 Work with the school district to increase the use of carpooling and the bus system to reduce drive-alone trips to St. Helena schools.

CR3.6 Support development of the bikeway and pedestrian networks to provide a convenient opportunity for at least 20 percent of commuters to get to work by walking or bicycling.

CR3.7 Support compact, mixed-use development as outlined in the Land Use and Growth Management and Housing elements.

TABLE 5.5: Commute Mode Split Targets for 2040
Mode
Commute Trips by Workers To and From St
Helena
2016 2040 Goal
Drove alone 77.8% N/A
Carpooled 3.8% At least 20%
Transit 1.0% At least 5%
Bicycle 2.6% At least 10%
Walked 6.2% At least 10%
Other means (including
work at home) 8.6% N/A
Source: American Community Survey 2016 Estimates
3 SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY PRACTICES
Agenda Item #5.1.

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3 SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY PRACTICES
Implementing Actions
CR3.A Study the feasibility of a citywide TDM program and review the effectiveness of the existing Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee.

CR3.B If deemed feasible, as part of the municipal code, require TDM measures for all new non-residential development.

CR3.C Regularly monitor progress toward increasing the number of residents and workers walking, biking, and using public transit.

CR3.D Work with the wine and hospitality industries, including the Wine Train, to manage congestion and create and promote car-free tourism services.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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4 SAFE AND WELL-MAINTAINED CIRCULATION SYSTEM
Policies
CR4.1 Ensure adequate maintenance of transportation facilities such as streets, sidewalks, and multi-use paths. Emphasize safety considerations, impacts on non-automobile modes of travel, and overall impact on long-term resource needs as maintenance priorities.

CR4.2 Ensure safety on residential neighborhood streets to promote walking and bicycling and preserve neighborhood livability.

CR4.3 Continue efforts to calm traffic and minimize traffic volumes and speeds in residential areas.

CR4.4 Strive to bring all pedestrian facilities into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifications.

CR4.5 Improve traffic safety and encourage walking and bicycling trips to St.

Helena schools through a Safe Routes to School program.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Street trees, sidewalks and
signage are strategies to calm
traffic on streets.
4 SAFE AND WELL-MAINTAINED CIRCULATION SYSTEM
Implementing Actions
CR4.A Review and update the Capital Improvement Program on a regular basis to identify and prioritize circulation facility improvements. Ensure that improvements support the goals, policies, and implementing actions identified in the General Plan.

CR4.B Develop strategies to calm traffic on streets that experience speeding or cut-through traffic, such as Starr Avenue. Include a range of solutions including enforcement, engineering, and education efforts to calm vehicle traffic.

CR4.C Establish a transition plan that identifies prioritization and funding mechanisms for improving street conditions to meet ADA specifications.

Transition plans are an important part of meeting ADA standards.

CR4.D Pursue Safe Routes to School grants to improve safety and encourage bicycling and walking trips to St. Helena schools.

CR4.E To reduce the effect of regional traffic on local streets, monitor traffic volumes and speeds on potential regional cut-through routes, including Oak Avenue and Valley View Street and other problematic streets like Spring, Pope, Starr, etc. Due to the forecast potential for traffic volumes to increase on Oak Avenue and Valley View Street, the City shall consider installing traffic calming or traffic diverting devices to discourage regional cut-through traffic with the goal of ensuring that, over the duration of the General Plan, traffic volumes on these streets do not increase significantly.

CR4.F To ensure the multimodal Transportation Mitigation Fee (TMF) program serves as acceptable mitigation for the increase in traffic volumes resulting from build out of the General Plan, the City shall explore TMF programs within 6 months of adoption of the General Plan Update. As part of this effort, the City shall conduct a fee study to ascertain whether the fees designated under the Agenda Item #5.1.

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existing fee program should be revised. As part of the fee study development, the City should consult with other local agencies, including Caltrans and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), to identify potential improvements to Main Street beyond those currently under construction, and to at-grade railroad crossings that could be incorporated into the TMF program.

CR4.G The City shall consider the use of signal preemption for emergency response or evacuation in locations where Police and Fire Departments response times are not met.

CR4.H Connect Vallejo Street to Sulphur Springs with a fully paved street connection meeting the City’s established Street Standards. 4 SAFE AND WELL-MAINTAINED CIRCULATION SYSTEM
Agenda Item #5.1.

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5 PARKING
Policies
CR5.1 Ensure an adequate balance of parking demand and supply. Closely manage and track parking supply within the downtown area by developing a parking management program and implementing a “park-once” strategy.

CR5.2 Maintain on-street parking and/or parklet on Main Street in the Central Business District for the convenience of shoppers and to provide a physical and psychological buffer between Main Street traffic and pedestrians.

Implementing Actions
CR5.A Develop a “park-once” strategy for visitors to improve air quality, reduce congestion, promote alternatives to driving alone, and educate and involve businesses and residents. Work with employers to encourage employees to park on the fringes of downtown, thereby leaving convenient parking spaces open for shoppers.

CR5.B Develop and maintain an off-street parking program for the City’s existing Parking Impact Area and consider modifying the boundaries of that area.

The program will identify and prioritize locations where additional off-street parking can be provided. When sufficient funds have accumulated for the acquisition of a site and construction of parking on that site, commence with implementation of providing parking on that site.

Agenda Item #5.1.

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Policies
CR.6.1 Prioritize and implement improvements to the circulation system with an emphasis on bicycle and pedestrian improvements and expanded transit service.

CR6.2 Require concurrent infrastructure development for any new development projects that have impacts on the circulation system, including streets, paths, trails, sidewalks, and public transit.

CR6.3 Consider requiring dedications and mitigations in addition to traffic mitigation fees for any development that occurs adjacent to proposed street corridors in order to reinforce circulation system continuity. Traffic mitigation fees are necessary to mitigate existing traffic congestion and congestion caused by new development. Consider revising fee schedules to fund needed vehicular, bike, and pedestrian improvements in order to appropriately mitigate impacts.

The fee schedule must be based on an established “nexus” between new development and the planned improvements.

Implementing Policies
CR6.A Evaluate and prioritize all new paths and trails (identified in Section E:

St. Helena’s Circulation and Mobility Future) when adequate funding is secured and concurrent with any new, adjacent developments.

CR6.B Keep up to date the existing St. Helena Traffic Mitigation Fee program to provide funding for all new road connections and trails included in the Circulation Element, in order to ensure new connections and trails are constructed in a timely manner. 6 IMPROVEMENTS AND PHASING
On-street parking on Main
Street is convenient for
shoppers.

Agenda Item #5.1.