Board directs staff to begin general plan amendments after Airport Land Use plan adoption; city raises biomass and anaerobic-digestion compatibility concerns

The Napa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously March 25 to direct staff to initiate a general plan amendment to make the county’s policies consistent with the Airport Land Use Commission’s (ALUC) Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, which the ALUC adopted in December.

Why it matters: Aligning the general plan with the ALUC plan affects permitted uses around Napa County Airport and can influence whether certain facilities are compatible with flight-safety and noise-land-use criteria. City of Napa officials cautioned that compatibility language could unintentionally restrict locally planned climate‑oriented waste‑processing projects.

What the board decided - Motion: Supervisor Ramos moved to direct staff to initiate a general plan amendment to achieve consistency between the county general plan and the ALUC compatibility plan; Supervisor Gallagher seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

City concerns and staff response - Joy Eldridge, Napa Utilities Director, told the board the City of Napa and Napa Recycling & Waste Services have long-planned projects at the materials diversion facility — a biomass gasification facility and an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility — intended to process locally collected organic and woody waste, reduce emissions and create renewable fuels. Eldridge asked the county to account for those projects and their public‑benefit climate outcomes when implementing compatibility rules. - Planning Director Brian Bordona said the city had earlier opportunities to participate in the ALUC process and the adopted ALUC plan does not reflect those projects because they were not brought forward in time. He said county staff and counsel are now working with the city to find a procedural path forward to address compatibility for those specific facilities. - Steve Letterer, Director of Public Works speaking with his aviation hat on, said protecting the airport’s long-term viability is important and the county should ensure compatible uses near the airport so the airport remains operational.

Next steps: Planning staff will prepare the general plan amendment language, take it to the Planning Commission for review and then return to the Board for action this summer. County counsel will prepare a memo on the possibility of a four-fifths override and other legal pathways related to ALUC consistency, per a board request.