After a long wine country growth battle, Anthem winery near Mount Veeder convinced Napa County that its controversial expansion plan is a good one.
âI see this as something that is fulfilling my objectives and the vision that I see for the Mount Veeder appellation,â county Board of Supervisors Chair Alfredo Pedroza said.
After a five-hour hearing Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors favored upholding a Planning Commission decision that approved Anthem additions. It tentatively voted to deny an appeal by several rural neighbors.
Supervisor Diane Dillon was the lone dissenter. She cited concerns over groundwater supplies, wildfire danger to winery visitors and the number of exceptions to county road rules needed for a new Dry Creek Road entrance.
Some hotly-contested matters seemingly decided by Napa County concerning winery growth and hot air balloon launches are coming back for further rounds.
A ruling by the county Planning Commission â and sometimes even the Board of Supervisors â isnât always the final word. There can be an appeal or even a lawsuit.
Here are some controversial issues from the past that will get a second life in 2021.
Balloons Above the Valley
Balloons Above the Valley will take another shot at getting its expansion proposal to fly.
The Planning Commission on Nov. 4 by a 3-2 vote refused to allow Balloons Above the Valley to increase launches from a rural property south of Yountville. Owner Robert Barbarick wants the allowed 50 launch days annually increased to year-round operation.