Planning commission approves 3,025‑sq‑ft warehouse for Olivia Napa Valley at 1020 Vintage Avenue

The St. Helena Planning Commission on Feb. 18 approved a major design review to allow construction of a new 3,025‑square‑foot warehouse at 1020 Vintage Avenue to serve Olivia Napa Valley’s existing food‑manufacturing and packaging business.

Senior planner Jackie O’Neil presented the project, which would place a single‑story storage building behind the existing industrial building, fronting McCormick Avenue. The building is styled to match the existing structure with farmhouse elements, fieldstone‑veneer columns, a glass garage entry and a copper‑roofed cupola. The finished height including the cupola is 40 feet‑6 inches, below the 45‑foot limit in the industrial district.

Staff noted the parcel currently provides 22 on‑site parking spaces and calculated the new warehouse would require 13 spaces; staff concluded existing parking exceeds the project requirement. The applicant’s plans show a covered walkway linking the new building and the existing building; final construction details for that element will be provided in construction documents.

Tree removal and nesting birds

Staff recommended and the commission adopted an additional condition: if tree removal occurs during the bird nesting season (February 1–August 31), the applicant must submit a survey prepared by a qualified biologist consistent with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Migratory Bird protections. The project proposes removal of two mature cedar trees and replacement plantings (three olive trees along McCormick) and retains the existing landscape buffer where possible.

CEQA and vote

Staff recommended a Class 3 CEQA exemption for the new commercial building (projects below 10,000 sq ft) and the commission approved the design review and the recommended condition. The motion passed unanimously.

Speakers (as identified in transcript)

- Jackie O’Neil — Senior planner, City of St. Helena (staff) - Eric Forstall — Architect, Krakauer Architects and Planners (applicant representative) - Eric Klein — Property owner / Olivia Napa Valley (owner present) - Chair Ponte — Chair, St. Helena Planning Commission - Vice Chair Warner — Vice Chair, St. Helena Planning Commission - Commissioners Anderson, Furdeck/Firdick, Lopez (commissioners present)

Clarifying details

- Address: 1020 Vintage Avenue; parcel approximately 1.2 acres. - Proposal: new single‑story 3,025 sq ft warehouse for warehousing products/supplies for existing operations; covered walkway to existing building shown on site plan, final details in construction documents. - Height: 40 ft 6 in to top of cupola (under 45‑ft industrial limit). - Parking: 22 existing spaces on site; staff calculated 13 spaces required for project, so existing parking exceeds requirement. - Landscaping: removal of two mature cedar trees proposed; replacement plantings include three olive trees; condition requires nesting‑bird survey if removal during Feb.1–Aug.31. - CEQA: staff recommended and the commission accepted Class 3 exemption (construction of small commercial buildings under 10,000 sq ft).

Authorities referenced

- St. Helena Municipal Code: industrial district development and design standards (Title 17) - CEQA Guidelines §15303 (Class 3 exemption for small new construction) - California Department of Fish and Wildlife / Migratory Bird protections (narrowly applied via staff condition)

Actions

- Design review approval for a 3,025 sq ft warehouse at 1020 Vintage Avenue, subject to conditions including the nesting‑bird survey requirement if tree removal occurs during nesting season; motion carried unanimously (votes: Vice Chair Warner yes; Commissioners Anderson, Furdick, Lopez yes; Chair Ponte yes).

Meeting context and impact

- Engagement level: item proceeded efficiently with staff report and applicant comment; no public speakers registered for or against the project during the hearing. - Implementation risk: low — project conforms to district standards; applicant to submit construction documents and applicant to comply with tree‑removal/nesting rules.

Searchable tags:["Olivia Napa Valley","warehouse","design review","1020 Vintage Avenue","St. Helena","CEQA Class 3"],

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