‘ANGER’ against glamping: Napa residents rally to block proposed resort

Opposition among Napanen to a proposed glamping resort with up to 100 caravans and tents has increased in recent weeks.

The project – proposed for a 12½-acre parcel west of Silverado Trail between Hagen Road and Stonecrest Drive – will go before the Napa City Council this month.

The campground would be operated by outdoor lodging company AutoCamp, which operates similar resorts across the country, including AutoCamp Russian River in Guerneville.

The City of Napa Planning Commission on Oct. 17 recommended the City Council approve the project.

Public concerns were prominent at the time. For more than an hour, public commenters raised concerns about increased traffic, fire risk, the project’s environmental impacts and others.

Recently, a group – Residents Against Glamping Establishment, or RAGE – has recently formed to oppose the proposal, with the website: badfornapa.com.

The group started a petition on change.org asking the city council to reject the project. By Thursday, 476 signatures had been collected.

The concerns raised in the petition – which states that the project will primarily benefit tourists, not local Napans – generally reflect those expressed at the meeting. According to the petition, these include:

• Increased traffic congestion and risk of accidents. (Planning Commissioner Paul Kelley suggested adding a left turn from Silverado Trail to the project site as a condition of approval so the council could consider it.)

• Increased risk of injury for cyclists. (The petition states that a proposed bike lane near the development does not extend beyond Lincoln Avenue or Trancas Street, which would expose cyclists to the dangerous Silverado Trail.)

• Wildfire risk associated with outdoor grills. And the associated air pollution.

• Destruction of the natural habitat, including the removal of 8 oak trees.

• Increased pressure on Napa’s water, sewer, and electrical infrastructure.

• There are concerns about “building a hotel/commercial project in a residential area.”

Brian Bennett, a resident who has led the opposition movement against the project, said the website has reached almost 1,300 visitors in 12 days since it was published. The group has posted signs along the Silverado Trail and handed out 2,000 flyers.

A GoFundMe started by Bennett also raised $6,825 on Thursday.

Bennett highlighted existing traffic safety issues on Silverado Trail as a particular concern. He said over the past decade, 46 traffic violations have been reported on the 1.1-mile stretch between Lincoln Avenue and Trancas Street, which runs along the project area, according to the Transportation Injury Mapping System. That includes 18 violations for unsafe speed, 10 drunken driving and 17 incidents involving hitting objects or people, he said.

“People are driving fast, hitting things and drinking,” Bennett said.

City staff and representatives of the applicant responded to some of the concerns raised in an emailed public comment during the Oct. 17 meeting.

On fire issues, city planner Ryder Dilley said the wood visitors would burn is “good wood” that does not generate as many sparks as would normally be generated, and that there would be direct supervision by staff to ensure guests burn it safely . In addition, there would be fire extinguishers at every campsite and the resort would have to comply with fire regulations.

Bernie Corea, AutoCamp’s director of acquisitions, added at the meeting that they use special grills with a raised surface that protects against smoke and sparks, along with the “good wood” – which he said would burn one bag for up to an hour. .

“It really makes for a very tame experience,” Corea said. “It burns very quickly, it’s not like traditional wood burning material, it’s really just for ambiance, and we strictly monitor and limit it.”

You can reach staff writer Edward Booth at 707-521-5281 or [email protected].