Decision on Walt Ranch vineyard project in Napa delayed

A decision on whether a controversial Napa County vineyard project can proceed has been delayed until June 13, according to a Napa County official.

David Morrison, director of planning, building and environmental services for Napa County, said he delayed a decision on the Walt Ranch project after several hundred pages of information were submitted at a Monday morning hearing over its environmental impact.

“Neither staff nor I have had time to review them to determine whether there is any new information or substantive issues that have not been previously addressed.” Morrison said in an email.

The proposed project, between the city of Napa and Lake Berryessa, is one of the most ambitious vineyard conversion projects in the North Coast.

Nearby residents, however, have mobilized opposition over concern that it could harm the watershed and cut down too many trees.

Hall Brambletree Associates wants to develop 356 acres of hillside vineyards within the 2,300-acre Walt Ranch project.

Vintners Craig and Kathryn Hall, of Hall Wines in St. Helena, are pushing for the project.

A county staff report has recommended to curb the proposal to 288 vineyard acres to reduce harm to the environment. It also called for mitigation efforts to protect plants and trees to ensure impact would be at “to less-than-significant levels.”

This would include management goals for restoration, identification of certain replanting habitats and reporting criteria.

Morrison’s final decision on the project can be appealed to the board of supervisors.

Like Sonoma County, Napa County officials have undertaken a community-?wide effort to re-examine wine industry development amid complaints about traffic, noise and growth.

Napa County supervisors are expected to vote on a series of proposals later this year.

You can reach Staff Writer Bill Swindell at 521-5223 or bill.swindell@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @BillSwindell.