Calistoga commission approves inn and auto‑sales permits, continues ADU zoning amendment

The Calistoga Planning Commission on Feb. 14 approved two use permits and continued an ADU zoning amendment to allow additional staff and attorney review.

The commission approved use permit UP 2023‑03 to convert the existing single‑family structure at 1465 First Street into a three‑unit inn with a secondary wine‑tour amenity, conditioned so the wine tours are offered only to registered inn guests. Planning staff said the ADU building permit on the property was finaled and that the ADU will be used for long‑term housing (not short‑term rentals) under a housing agreement. Applicant Douglas told the commission, “We take pride in the establishment we built here...we love this community,” and said the wine tours would be an amenity primarily for in‑house guests. Nearby business owner Michael Quast of Roman Spa Resort expressed concern that there is no requirement for a 24‑hour on‑site responsible person at an inn and warned of nuisance potential if rentals are not properly managed: “We have to have an on‑site responsible person at all hours,” he said.

On a separate item, the commission approved UP 2023‑04 to allow automobile sales and repair at 1856 Lincoln Avenue after tenants had been cited for operating without a permit. Staff described the site as a historic auto sales/repair location; discussion focused on parking allocation for customers, employees and vehicle display. Former planning director Jeff Mitchum, participating by Zoom, advised the commission that it has discretion to condition how on‑site spaces are allocated and marked, and the public works director recommended no commercial parking on the street. The commission approved the permit with conditions requiring application of the municipal parking formula (service‑bay and sales‑floor calculations), and that a number of on‑site spaces be reserved and marked for employees and customers so they are not used for vehicle display.

Votes: both use permits passed by roll call with ayes recorded for Commissioners Vaughn, Towey (variously transcribed), Vice Chair Allen and Chair Wilks. The ADU zoning amendment (item 5.2) was continued to the commission’s next posted meeting on Feb. 28 to allow additional amendments and attorney review.

What happens next: staff will finalize conditions for the approved permits (parking plan and a housing agreement for the ADU at 1465 First Street) and prepare the continued ADU zoning amendment for the Feb. 28 meeting.