Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands and justice for all. May I have a roll call, please? Yes. Commissioner Marilyn Abalon, present. Commissioner Eric Alman, present. Commissioner Shelby Goss present. Vice Chair Charles Plamer present. And Chair Dvet Muhammad is absent this evening. Thank you. Uh we will start with um presentations and public comment. Right. So at this time is reserved for members of the public to address the planning commission on items that are not on the agenda and are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the commission. Comments are limited to three minutes. Comments for items on the agenda will be taken when the item is called in open session. Planning commission is prohibited by law from taking any action on matters discussed that are not on the agenda and no adverse conclusions shall be drawn if the planning commission does not respond to the public comment at this time. Uh, vice chair uh plumber, may I make a short introduction to our uh our city attorney team? Yes, please. Sorry about that. All right. Uh, I want I'm pleased to say that we are joined with Miss uh McKenzie Anderson tonight of the Kolanuano Highmith and Watley uh law firm. That's our new law firm uh based in Sacramento. McKenzie serves as an assistant or deputy city attorney for several northern city California cities and towns including our neighbor the assistant uh town attorney for Yville and she's also assistant uh general

counsel for Napa County LFCO. McKenzie earned her law degree from UC Berkeley with proono honors and holds a sumakum ladi uh bachelor's degree in English uh from Temple University in P in Philadelphia. So, welcome Miss McKenzie Anderson. Thanks all. It's great to be here. Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Re. Welcome, McKenzie. Are there any agenda changes for the evening? Uh, no, there are no agenda changes. Oh, I'm sorry. Let me back up there. Um, do we do we have any no public comment? Um, we need to revisit that. Is there anybody on Zoom that would like to make public comment? There's no one anyone in person that would like to make public comment. We have no public comment. Perfect. And we'll close public comment. Now, are there any agenda changes? Uh I'm pleased to say that there are no agenda changes tonight. Perfect. Thank you. We will start with the consent calendar for the uh minutes of May 22nd, 2025. I will make a motion that we adopt and approve the consent calendar. Is there a second? I'll second that motion. May I get a roll call, please? Yes. Commissioner Marilyn Abalon. I. Commissioner Eric Alman. I. Commissioner Shelby Goss. I Vice Chair Charles Plamer. I sorry. Moving on to agenda number two, public hearings. The Crawford Way multif family condominium tentative subdivision map. Should we make the recommendation?

So there is a recommendation to continue the Crawford Way multif uh family condominium tenative subdivision map project to September 25th, 2025. I will make a motion that we continue the Crawford Way multif family condominium tentative subdivision map project to our next regularly scheduled planning commission meeting on September 25th, 2025. I'll second that motion. Thank you. May I have a roll call, please? One moment, please. Commissioner Marilyn Abalon. I. Commissioner Eric Holman. I. Commissioner Shelby Goss. I. Vice Chair Charles Palmer. I. Moving on to agenda item number three. Oak Hill Domain Apartments Sign Program. Mr. E. Oh. Um, we need to Oh, which one is that? Hello. Hello. Good evening, planning commission, uh, Vice Chair Plamer, and the members of the public. My name is William Heave with the planning division and happy to give a short presentation on the domain sign program. Um, let's give you a orientation of where this project is. This is the Domain Apartments, which is previously known as the Oatill Apartments up on Oat Hill. Here is a vicinity map and the project is on the south side of Napa

Junction Road and I think it's approximately 20 acres between the two parcels. Um this but this uh project is not about the buildings. It's more about um monument signs for the building. So uh here's some background on the project. The project was approved in 2021 and modified in 2024. It consists of 291 multifamily units on two parcels. The upper parcel being parcel A and the lower parcel being parcel B. Uh parcel A has 12 residential buildings and parcel B has uh five residential buildings. Both of these parcels have a u recreation clubhouse in each of them. and construction of this project started last year. Uh so the applicant uh with their design team vertical solutions submitted a sign program in May of this year. Uh a sign program is is like a family of signs, not just one sign, but a whole group of them. Um the signs are all located on site. They have um three types of signs. Two monument signs uh which are for the entries and the monument signs are about uh 65 square ft in size but the sign face itself is only about 33 square ft. Uh they're going to be ground mounted and they're going to have um spotlights on the ground to to uh shine on the during night. Uh in addition to the two monument signs, they have proposed seven wayfinding signs. These are approximately I think 5'8 in tall and the sign face is about 11.7 square ft. So these are the numbers. Um they're construction. They're made of

uh CMU blocks and then they're going to meet stone cladding on them to give it that uh stone uh look. and it also includes an aluminum face. It's a white letters on black background. Um, we have like preliminary locations for the signs, but the final locations will be confirmed when they submit their building permit application, which is required after the uh sign program uh if it's approved. Uh during the the review of this application, we did um public outreach, but there were no comments on this project. So let's look at some of the signs. So this is the first one, sign type one, and this is the main entry monument on parcel A, the upper parcel. So um as you can see that you don't really see it as CMU blocks. Once they put the stone cladding on and the and the topper, it's looks like a monument. Um it's about uh 6'4 in tall and about 10 foot wide. Um so once you're driving on Nappa Junction Road, you can you can really see the the domain uh sign. Um the sign face uh as I mentioned is um black background with the white font and it has a image of the um Napa Junction uh area there. The the second sign is on the entry to parcel B. It's a similar design. It's says the domain at Napa Junction 100 for 100 uh Chenalt Way. That's parcel B Street. And it has some directions for how to get to their leasing center and and the next entrance. Um that's the gist of those entry uh signs. And the next ones they have or

the third type is these wayfinding signs. So uh they could be useful. They're they're uh 2 and 1/2 ft wide and about 5t uh 5' 8 8 in tall. So they're placed within the um the uh the apartment sites and so people driving around they can see uh where to go to uh um uh as they move along the the buildings. So those are the three types. The first two are one of each. And then the the ones for the uh wayfinding signs, there's going to be seven of those. Four for um parcel A and then three for parcel B. So all total together, nine signs. Here is a preliminary site plan of where those signs are going to be. Um the the monument for the entry at Opus Lane or the entry at parcel A uh is right at the entry and then the monument sign at parcel B is uh it's a little bit to the to the east of the entry but still very visible and both of them are on site and then sprinkled throughout are those little wayfinding signs. Um that's the gist of the sign program. uh staff's recommendation is to approve the sign program. The project is exempt from SQA because it's a small structure and it's also built on existing facilities. But um I do want to inform everybody that um the applicant has requested an additional sign that but they requested the sign after our publication. So um is I will let the applicant speak. Is Angela there or Sarah? Just bear with me for one second.

Sarah, just give me one second. Sarah, you can unmute yourself now. Hi. Yes. Can you hear me? Yes. Uh, yes. The domain would like one additional sign, a monument similar to the ones by the driveways. that would be um at the clubhouse on parcel A closer to the building just to uh show where that clubhouse is located. So I I can share the design of the sign. It's going to look like this, similar to their monument sign. And then this is the proposed location. It's just kind of like zoomed in near the clubhouse. Oh. Sorry. Let's see. Uh, so Nicole, I'll need some help. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, there you go. So, it's right there. And it looks like this. Sorry, could you clarify where the clubhouse is at in the lower section or the upper section? Uh, this one would be for the upper section parcel A.

So, I guess that's it. Does the applicant have anything else to add? Uh, no, not at this time. Thanks. Okay. Sorry about that. So, I guess the the the res resolution has the the draft resolution says the sign program has nine signs. um with this modification, it would just be 10 signs. It's similar, but then it's just that they requested this after we published. So, it's a little bit of a change. So, that's all I got. If you have any questions, thank you for that presentation. Um I'll open up the questions to the commissioners. I don't have a question right now. Um Mr. He I just wanted to um compliment the team. I reviewed them before our meeting. I find the signs to be um in good locations and they're separated and design is quite um you know it's it's quite um complimentary to the buildings that's going to be built and it also provides visitors or residents that live there um directionality and where to go. So I find them very complimentary. Um, I have a question regarding the lighting. Um, so it's just the I guess now three monument signs that would be lit, correct? Uh, yes. So, the two at the entry and the one at near the clubhouse. Okay. Yeah. Um, yeah, forgive me. Um, so with the flood lighting, I guess it looks like it'll be, you know, obviously focused on the sign. Is there any concern about like light adding to light pollution? Like I don't know. um the light going elsewhere and lighting

things up more than I believe because it's more aimed at the sign and not directly more towards the sky the it would not be as much light pollution but applicant is here so they can provide some feedback. I guess I just was curious about um what had been considered with like the directionality because I know that's a concern on roadways frequently um and areas with like natural habitat which obviously this development is happening. It's changing the nature of the habitat available on the hillside anyway. But presumably there are there is wildlife that will be have been recently removed from the area. um and just if lighting will be impact them in any way, if that was considered at all. I'm gonna jump on Commissioner Goss's um question because I that's where my real question was to be candid is is has there any thought been given to downlighting from the top rather than uplighting because of uh dark sky issues, light pollution issues and so on. Um, I think it would not change the attractiveness if it was incorporated intelligently and would be a better approach. Uh, and I say this particularly in light of the new um ecology center that is going in uh in town um that intends on having um telescope viewing. So, the the more we can do to keep our skies as dark as possible, the more enhanced uh and beneficial it's going to be for that project. Um, and I think this would be a fairly simple um change if the applicant is uh willing to consider it to consider

down lighting rather than the uplighting um on these three monument signs. Sorry, Sarah had asked to be unmuted. So Sarah, you can speak whenever you would like. Hi. Uh, yes, I just did want to add that consideration was given for that. Um the intention was for the signs to be indirectly illuminated so that the signs themselves do not light. Instead they are lit from another source where the sign would be the only thing that captures that light. Um, I also want to add that the um, initial designs did have light from above, but due to budget restrictions and other reasons for getting power to the locations in order to um, have the light shine on the sign that the flood lining from below became the uh re the result. Does that make sense? I understand what you're saying, but does it make sense to me? No. The uh additional cost to run uh probably 10 ft of uh wire from the ground through the sign to the top um is inconsequential. um you're you're not you know we're not suggesting you change the type of lighting from indirect flood lights. It's just the location rather than having them on the ground pointing up.

Uh that they be mounted on the top of the monument and point down. Uh and that can be done in a variety of of ways um that could provide the illumination. Obviously you'd need something to extend out uh off of the top a bit. Um but but that's an easy and not particularly expensive um cost factor and it wouldn't really change design, change look, change anything other than keep blight pollution down in the area. Um it's not a particularly large additional cost as I see it. Uh sure, I I see that. um just can only speak to some of the initial designs where running um conduit through CMU block uh the construction logistics of that added some cost as well as bringing the light to the front of the monument and then um the initial designs had two gooseeneck lights on them. Um, I think we could revisit those designs. Uh, but that would also mean a little bit of conduit running along the top of the sign. Yeah, thank you for hearing our concerns. I think that's something if you could check with the developer if that's a possibility, that would be a preference for this community. Um, I have a follow-up question regarding lighting. Um, are the wayfinders signs going to have lighting as well? We're talking about the monuments, the three monuments, but the wayfinders on the site property, will they have lighting or not? Uh, from what the plans show is non-illuminated?

How how would they be visible at night? Uh, the applicant can answer that. Headlights. Uh there's other you know ambient light from the um building itself that the um pedestrianoriented wayfinders wasn't seen necessary to illuminate them. There are parking lot lights on the circulation areas as well though. Commissioner, are there questions? No other questions. Do we have any public comment on this? Is there any public comment in the room? Is there anyone on Zoom? We have no public comment. Okay, we'll close public comment. or you can have a condition that they because they will they will have to address the condition when they submit their building permits, right? And we'll Okay. So, do we want to make that recommendation? We want to make the recommendation Okay. I'd like to make a motion to approve the sign program for the 10 directional monuments with the recommendations included from the planning commission regarding the lighting concerns that we had. Um these are the domain apartments at

100 Opus Lane and 100 Shenoi in American Canyon. I'll second the motion. Roll call. Yes. Commissioner Marilyn Abalon. I. Commissioner Eric Alman. I. Commissioner Shelby Goss. I. Vice Chair Charles Plamer. I thank you. Thank you. Thank you, M. G. Moving on to business management and staff oral reports. Mr. Take your time, sir. I guess I should have just stayed there and and explained uh what's new in in uh business. So, um, similar to Director Cooper, I'll just go over the highlights instead of all 50 of these. Um, so, uh, wait, we want you to go over all 50. We'll stay here for a little bit longer. Um, definitely the the Napa River Ecology Center is uh advancing. They've submitted their building permits in August. So, good to see that. Uh they're in review and we hope to have comments back to them soon. It was submitted on the 7th. Uh we have a new neighborhood market that's uh uh proposed and submitted building permits for that the former Goodwill. So this is going to be a neighborhood market with uh I think they're with wine as well. So um it's a small space, but it's good to finally

utilize a space that's been closed for a while. So, um we have a um the SDG220 project. This was the last of the uh Commerce Court warehouses has submitted their um building permits as well as their uh uh improvement plans. So, they're in review. Uh our friends at Watson Ranch Lot 7, these are the ones worth half the traditional homes and some of the alleyway homes have submitted their master plans and it's their I guess it's their third round. So they're really close to getting the master plans approved and then they will start submitting their plot plans and we'll start seeing some construction out there too. Um, of course, oh, I just wanted to add one more is our friends the Napa Junction solar project that was approved maybe two years ago with the uh carport RV canopies and I think it was like a two megawws of solar energy has submitted their building permits for the canopies. So, um, that one has just submitted. So, we'll see when they will finish the review. Um, and that's I all that I have for highlights. Um, lots of other things going on. Oh, I do want to say uh thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all the members that came out for the meet me in the streets uh those three days in the summer. I think I've I've spoken or seen all of you. It was great to be out there to listen to people's comments and it was great to have you guys out there to to share with your experiences in the planning commission. So, that's about it. Thank you for those updates. Mr. Owen, just going to quickly ask because I'm

just curious. The um Canyon Estates, Richmond American Homes, is there anything current kind of happening with that? Yeah. So, Canyon Estates uh had had 35 homes and 33 of them are are being uh redone through Richmond American Homes. Um they they've submitted six designs of their master plans for review and theirs are close to being approved for the building division. Uh we had a meeting with them last week and they're adding three more designs. So they're going to be nine different designs on the 33 homes. Um they're moving pretty quickly now. Um, we just need to see. Uh, I think some of the homes need a lot line adjustment for for setback reasons and stuff like that, but they they're they're planning to even I think they they are asking for maybe one of the lots for a model home soon. So, we'll see those coming up. Thank you. Good to hear. Yeah. Thank you again, M. Do we have any commissioner items? No commissioner items. Let's just welcome the kids back to school. They've started a couple of weeks ago and uh you know hope they uh have a good year. Yes. And and drive safe carefully, slowly and safely around the schools. All right. Well, thank you for coming this evening. We're going to adjourn this meeting at 6:58 p.m. And I think we set a record. I think this is our fastest meeting ever.