Saint Helena planning panel recommends Spring Grove map to council and approves demolition permit amid public concern over water, storm drains and affordability

Chris Warner, chair of the Saint Helena Planning Commission, opened the Dec. 2 meeting and moved the commission into a public hearing on the Spring Grove tentative subdivision map and a demolition permit for three homes at 1447, 1505 and 1515 Spring Street.

The commission heard a presentation from consulting planner Mike Janicek and Planning Director Maya DeRosa, who explained that the project consists of three parcels totaling 2.53 acres and proposes 41 condominium airspace units, three private streets, private water and sewer infrastructure, two bioretention stormwater facilities and a private lift station to convey treated runoff into the public system. Janicek told commissioners staff found the application consistent with objective development and design standards and concluded the project qualifies for a statutory CEQA exemption under Public Resources Code section 21080.66. Staff recommended that the commission forward a recommendation of approval of the vesting tentative map to the City Council and adopt the demolition-permit resolution for the existing houses.

"This project started actually in 2024," said Kelso Barnett, a project representative with City Ventures, in an applicant presentation. Barnett described the proposal as "missing middle" townhomes intended to add housing near downtown, preserve pedestrian connections and meet the city's housing-element opportunity-site goals. Barnett said the project includes eight deed-restricted units to meet the city's affordable-housing requirement and described design…