The City of Napa has been working on an update to the 1998 General Plan since 2018.  This update is referred to as the Napa 2040 General Plan and it will contain two new Elements (chapters) that will help guide the city in these “new normal” times of climate change and increasing income inequality. City Staff is currently finalizing review of the Public Review Draft of the General Plan and is on the second round of review of the Administrative Draft of the EIR (Environmental Impact Report). 

When these drafts are presented to the city’s Planning Commission and to the City Council, we need to make sure that the 2040 General Plan contains goals and policies that will allow (and require) the City to move forward with programs to reduce climate impacts and improve social equity.  To sign up for email updates about the General Plan, visit: https://www.cityofnapa.org/list.aspx and register for notifications on the "Napa 2040 General Plan" list.

The General Plan Advisory Committee led by Chair Chuck Shinnamon and Vice Chairs Bernie Narvaez (until he was elected to City Council) and Danielle Barreca acted as the voice of Napa’s residents.  Their original meeting schedule did not allow enough time for the deep dive needed to research and propose much needed policy and land-use updates. But, working with City Staff, they were able to extend their meeting schedule to address these issues in depth and to also provide time for public input on land use issues.

Land Use Changes

Overall, the plan includes higher density zoning for most areas to allow for desperately needed housing. However, due to vociferous public comment, two areas—the area near Brown Valley’s Timberhill Park, and the Napa Oaks site off Old Sonoma Road—have received “greenbelt” designations that will prevent large-scale development.

Still in contention is the land use designation for the Ghisletta property between Foster Road and Golden Gate Drive.  This is currently in the County, but within the City’s sphere of influence.  The Draft proposes annexing this area and zoning it for Residential Mixed Use, Medium Density Residential, and Low Density Residential for this area.  Near-by residents prefer to keep this area, referred to as Napa’s Gateway, in open space. The Napa Group of the Sierra Club supports this proposal.  For more information see Keep Napa Gateways Green.

Climate Change and Sustainability Element

This element is new to the General Plan and was included because the City Council requested it.  It provides a framework for strategies to combat climate change and promote sustainability.  It includes as a guiding policy: “Achieve net zero climate pollutants from public and private operations within the city by 2030…”. It does not, but should, address the following items:

• Net zero energy building requirements for all commercial structures.
• No new fossil fuel gas stations.
• No new drive-through restaurants and measures to decrease idling emissions at drive-through facilities.

View the latest available draft of the CC&S Element with comments from the April 2021 workshop.

Public Health and Equity Element

This element is intended to address the environmental and social determinants of health so that all of Napa’s neighborhoods have clean air and water, support physical activity, and have access to healthy food and affordable housing.  It includes as a guiding policy: “Incorporate a “Health in All Policies” framework to center health and equity consideration in policies, programs, and practices that affect all aspects of the built environment.”  This is a revolutionary approach, pioneered by the city of Richmond, California starting in 2007 that has focused on improving the built environment and community safety and redirecting government funds to areas of social need. 

View the latest available draft of the Public Health and Equity Element with comments from the April 2021 workshop.

The 2040 General Plan is our chance, as City of Napa residents, to “get it right” and create a healthy, livable, climate-safe city for all.  Take a look at the draft Plan and let our Mayor and City Council members know what you want.