Planning commission approves variances, design review and use-permit amendment for Fortunate Sun winery renovation

The St. Helena Planning Commission voted to approve design review, two variances and an amendment to a small-winery conditional use permit for Fortunate Sun (Double V Properties) at 825 Fulton Lane during its Feb. 18 regular meeting.

Staff and the applicant described the project as restoration of a historic 1860s residence and tank house, plus an addition to the existing winery and construction of a new barrel storage barn, equipment storage barn, mechanical building and trash enclosure on a 14.47-acre parcel in the A-20 agricultural zoning district and the city's historic preservation overlay. Linda Roofing, a planner with North Coast Community Planning, told commissioners staff recommended approval with conditions and concluded the project met CEQA exemptions including Guideline sections 15301, 15303 and 15311.

The commission approved two variances: a height variance to allow a 30-foot barrel storage barn where the A-20 accessory-structure height limit is 20 feet, and a variance to the code's habitable-space limit for accessory structures to allow 975 square feet of tasting-room addition, 302 square feet in a rehabilitated tank house and 232 square feet of habitable space in the barrel barn. The votes were split but successful: the habitable-space variance passed 4-1 (Warner, Furdick, Lopez and Chair Ponte voting yes; Commissioner Anderson…