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Napa Valley Vintners Oppose Measure A on June Ballot
2/23/2006 - The NVV Board of Directors voted to put on record that the NVV will oppose Measure A, the "Fair Payment for Public Benefit Act," a critical land use initiative that will appear on the June ballot in Napa County.
The 10-1 board vote came after NVV's Community and Industry Issues Committee (CIIC) presented a poll taken by the NVV of its membership in which 85% of winery voting principals (one winery, one vote) favored opposing the measure. All 270 member wineries were asked on February 3, 2006 to weigh in on whether the NVV should oppose or support Measure A.
NVV Board of Directors President, Hugh Davies, said; "By opposing Measure A, we are maintaining the integrity of the Napa Valley Ag Preserve, and ensuring local Napa County control of our land and our community. Any measure that threatens this should be opposed by the industry."
Board members commented that Napa County's agricultural heritage has been as successful as it has been because land use issues are governed locally, whereas Measure A would result in these issues being decided by state or federal regulations, or in the courts. The board noted that maintaining local governance is critical to protecting the Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve.
Background
This June, residents will be asked to make a choice on how local land use decisions are made in Napa County. Measure A, also known as the "Fair Payment for Public Benefit Act," appears on the June ballot. The measure would require Napa County to compensate any owner of real property in the unincorporated area of the County who claims to suffer a decrease in value as a result of any new land use action enacted by the County Board of Supervisors, unless the action is waived, a compromise negotiated, or certain exceptions apply.
The County commissioned an independent analysis of the potential impacts of this initiative should it pass. Read the Executive Summary and the full 9-111 report attached.
Recommendation
On February 2, 2006, the CIIC voted unanimously (16-0) to recommend to the NVV Board of Directors to oppose Measure A, the following day a full membership poll was taken and the committee's position was supported by the general membership. The CIIC sited the following reasons for their recommendation:
Threatens our ability as a community to protect our rural character, open space, agricultural lands, and manage growth through local efforts.
Paralyzes local government through litigation and threat of litigation, resulting in loss of local control and puts our future in the hands of the courts and outside government agencies.
Costs taxpayers millions of dollars and takes critical funding away from the County's General Fund, placing greater strain on public safety and health and social services.
Creates an unstable local business climate, delays projects, and increases costs to business and home owners.
Contact: CONTACT: Terry Hall Direct: 707-968-4217 thall@napavintners.com
