County Moves Ahead with HHSA Campus Plan

Work is expected to begin in May on the environmental impact report (EIR) for the planned redevelopment of the County’s (HHSA) campus on Old Sonoma Road in Napa. If the Board of Supervisors approves staff’s recommendation at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 3, LSA Associates will begin the months-long process of assessing the impacts of the project on noise, traffic, water and air quality, and other natural and cultural resources.

“As with any project of this scale, we will do a deliberate and thorough analysis of the impacts the project may have, and of the possible ways to reduce or eliminate those impacts,” said Hillary Gitelman, Napa County director of conservation, development and planning.

A typical EIR process allows for opportunities for public comment and input.

“The first official opportunity will be during the scoping phase of the EIR, when we decide what topics and alternatives we’ll cover in the report,” Gitelman said. “We’ll also ask for input again before we finalize the document, which we hope to finish in 12 to 18 months.”

The HHSA Campus project involves the redesign of outdated and inefficient campus facilities. Initial planning work has suggested the demolition of most of the 12 existing buildings and the phased construction of about 184,000 square feet of new space, along with a total of 550 parking spaces. There are currently 242 parking spaces for staff, clients and visitors.         

 The task of designing the project and making plans for construction is separate from the EIR process. The Napa County Public Works department has released a Request for Qualifications from architectural firms to head up the design phases and tasks. The current schedule anticipates the Board selecting a firm in July.

“We expect that HHSA clients, the neighbors, the City and many others will be interested in how the redeveloped campus will look and operate,” Gitelman said. “Anyone who wants to ensure that he or she is included in the EIR discussion, or in the design discussion when it begins, can ask to be included on our mailing lists.”

The campus is located at 2344 Old Sonoma Road, on an 8.5-acre site bounded by Old Sonoma Road, Walnut Avenue, Gesford Street and Pine Street. Programs include the Public Health Division and Clinic; Mental Health Services; Drug and Alcohol Services; some Self-Sufficiency Services programs; Child Welfare; and HHSA Administration. The remodeled campus will also include the remainder of the Self-Sufficiency programs and Comprehensive Services for Older Adults.

To be included on the mailing list for the EIR, contact Kirsty Shelton at (707) 253-4417 or kirsty.shelton@countyofnapa.org. To be included on the mailing list for the design phase, contact Juan Arias at (707) 259-8374 or juan.arias@countyofnapa.org.  

LSA Associates is a California-based environmental and engineering services firm with Bay Area offices in Berkeley, Pt. Richmond and South San Francisco. The recommended contract for the EIR work is not to exceed $283,540.

The Board of Supervisors and staff of Napa County are dedicated to preserving and sustaining Napa County for present and future generations as a community with generous open space, a thriving agricultural industry and a quality human and natural environment. Visit us on the Web at www.countyofnapa.org.