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Calistoga council tables proposal to site Hearts and Hands preschool at fairgrounds house
Summary
Council members paused consideration of a proposal for Hearts and Hands Preschool to use a fairgrounds residence after staff outlined extensive code, infrastructure and cost requirements and public commenters expressed safety and funding concerns. Council directed staff to seek more analysis and advisory-committee input before returning the item.
Calistoga’s City Council on July 14 voted to table consideration of a plan that would place Hearts and Hands Preschool in a small house at the city-owned fairgrounds, after staff told the council the reuse would trigger substantial building, fire-protection and accessibility upgrades.
Deputy City Manager Rachel Stepp told the council staff’s preliminary review found the house would likely be classified as an I-4 institutional daycare—meaning the city would require fire sprinklers, a monitored alarm system, ADA improvements, interior reconfiguration and a dedicated water lateral, meter and backflow device to support fire protection. Staff estimated building conversion costs between $300,000 and $400,000 and a further roughly $35,000 for water infrastructure; construction was estimated at about six months following permit approvals.
The preschool’s licensing covers up to 30 children but Hearts and Hands representatives said they typically operate with lower enrollments (about 27) and currently serve roughly 15–17 children. Mary Anne Salinger, speaking for Hearts and Hands, told the council, “Our licensing is for 30 students…we generally like to keep it to 27. We have some funders that are ready to cut their checks as soon as we get an agreement.”
Opponents warned the location could compromise safety and the fairgrounds’ flexibility. Remote speaker Mister Tallarico said he was “completely opposed” and listed concerns including the nonprofit’s financial viability and what he described as substantial indirect city costs; he also cited safety risks from co‑locating a preschool next to an RV park. Other residents echoed worries about traffic, emergency use of the fairgrounds and loss of a site potentially needed for long-term fairgrounds planning.
Council members pressed staff and Hearts and Hands for more detail on interim options, the organization’s ability to reduce licensed capacity, proof of financing for renovations, a safety plan separating preschool operations from RV-park traffic, and input from the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee. Planning Director Desmond said the entitlement process would require a use permit and then building-permit review, which could take an additional six to nine months.
Vice Mayor Gift moved to table the item to a future meeting to allow staff and the preschool to develop clearer financial and safety plans and to solicit advisory-committee input; the motion was seconded and adopted by roll call.
The Council did not authorize any lease or construction funding tonight. Staff and Hearts and Hands are expected to return with additional analysis in a future meeting date if and when new information becomes available.
