26-130
STEVE MCPHERSON / PROMISE WINERY / VARIANCE P25-00283, USE PERMIT P22-00384-UP, AND EXCEPTION TO THE NAPA COUNTY ROAD AND STREET STANDARDS CEQA Status: Consideration and possible adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration. According to the proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (State Clearing House No. 2025120435), the proposed project would not have any potentially significant environmental impacts after implementation of mitigation measures. Mitigation measures are proposed for the following areas: Biological and Tribal Cultural Resources. The project site is not included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5. Request: Approval of a Variance to the 300-foot winery setback from a private road and the 600-foot winery setback from Sage Canyon Rd/Hwy 128 to allow winery buildings in the setbacks; a Use Permit to establish a new phased 30,000 gallons per year winery, including the conversion and expansion of an existing barn to a winery, construction of a wine cave and covered crush pad/bottling area for wine production, conversion of an existing accessory dwelling unit to a tasting room, construction of an unenclosed covered parking structure, associated tours and tastings by appointment only, and establishment of a marketing program; and an exception to the Napa County Road and Street Standards (RSS) for project driveway improvements that serve the same overall practical effect of the Napa County Road and Street Standards. The project is located on an approximately 62.56-acre site within the Agricultural Watershed (AW) zoning district with a General Plan land use designation of Agriculture, Watershed, and Open Space (AWOS) at 2004 Sage Canyon Rd, St. Helena, CA 94574; APN: 032-520-009. Staff Recommendation: Adopt the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program prepared for the project and approve the Variance No. P25-00283, Exception to the Road and Street Standards, and Use Permit No. P22-00384, as conditioned. Staff Contact: Hannah Spencer, Planner III; Hannah.spencer@countyofnapa.org, (707) 253-4018 Applicant Contact: Steve McPherson, 2004 Sage Canyon Rd, Saint Helena, CA 94574 Applicant Representative Contact: Josh Devore, DP&F Law, 1500 First Street, Suite 200, Napa, CA 94559; jdevore@dpf-law.com, (707) 261-7000.
- Committee
- Planning Commission
- Requested by
- Planning, Building and Environmental Services
- Introduced
- January 7, 2026
- On agenda
- February 4, 2026