Napa Yard in the city's Oxbow District is one step closer to bringing miniature golf, small concerts and other events to the community.
The Napa Planning Commission approved at its regular meeting on Aug. 7 a request by the owners of Napa Yard, located at 585 First St., to amend their current use permits. The amendment allows for the installation of four additional shipping containers, a mini-golf course, amplified music on weekends and craft markets.
"Everything we do at this site comes from a consideration of how does it effect locals and how can it benefit the community," said Napa Yard project partner Perry Clary. "Everything we're proposing comes from local feedback."
Revised amendments would allow the business to install four new shipping containers near the property's main entrance. These containers, according to the project description, would allow for storage and assist in the operation of mini-golf and other recreational activities on the lawn.
According to the project description, the mini-golf course will run through the pathways of the existing gardens and feature a wine country theme with wine barrels and "other vintage wine and Napa-related decorations."
"Hopefully, you all see the joy in that," Clark said. "We want people to utilize the space more."
Another amendment to the use permit will, according to the business owners, make it easier to host events that currently require a special use permit. Those amendments include allowing for amplified music and special events.
The current use permit for Napa Yard does not allow for any amplified sound, which the business owners say is necessary for any special event. According to their proposal, Napa Yard would host local artists on weekends, where "small local bands would play at low volumes that would comply with city noise restrictions."
Clark clarified that the request for amplified music does not mean Napa Yard will be hosting massive concerts. Instead, it seeks to utilize the existing space at the property to hold small concerts with minimal noise that will be directed toward the parking lot rather than neighboring homes.
Only one member of the public, Adam Busby of the Culinary Institute of America, gave input during the meeting. He told the commission the CIA was specifically concerned about amending Napa Yard's use permit to include live music.
"While we support and encourage attractive and thoughtful development in our area, we have unfortunately experienced issues from amplified music at other venues interfering with events on our property," Busby said.
Commissioner Alexander Myers said the requested amendments were a great way to build community in a thoughtful way. He also commented on how Napa Yard's use of shipping containers is a creative use of space that will eventually have a permanent building at the location.
"In 60 years, there probably won't be a mini-golf course and a small live music venue here," Myers said. "But for the foreseeable future, I'm sure it will be very nice and then something else will come along without too much trouble."
Myers also stated that he understood the concerns brought up by Busby, but that potential issues could be resolved with advanced communication amongst businesses in the area.
Commissioner Lindsay Owen echoed many of Myers' comments, adding that she and her family regularly go to Napa Yard and enjoy the space.
"To have other uses there is going to be fantastic," Owen said. "I'm excited to use it."
Commissioner Lisa Massaro asked for clarification on the amplified music and whether there would be a house sound setup or if the musicians would bring their own. She was told that Napa Yard is planning four trial events with up to 200 people, and that there would be two speakers on stands, most likely brought by the artists themselves.
Following the discussion, the planning commission voted unanimously in favor of the amended use permits, which sends the proposal to the Napa City Council for final approval.