The Napa County Planning Commission will consider approving a proposed renovation of the historic Aetna Springs Retreat in Pope Valley at its meeting Wednesday morning.
The property’s developer, Robert Radovan, wants to modify the 672-acre, 33-building site’s use permit to allow it to undergo a major restoration.
Plans include altering lodging rooms, rehabilitating 28 buildings, moving five buildings, building a new lodging structure and installing new potable water and septic systems.
The new lodging building would replicate one that was destroyed years ago, according to a report from county planning staff.
The plans also call for restoration work on Aetna Springs Creek, which runs through the property.
The renovation would change the resort’s staffing model from 25 resident employees to 120 employees who would live off-site. The renovation would add about 40 parking spaces, but wouldn’t significantly increase day and overnight traffic to the resort.
The property was first developed in the 1860s and became a stylish summer destination for San Franciscans. The property included a nine-hole golf course.
The resort is on land zoned for agricultural watershed and includes a “historically significant, but deteriorating” resort at the north end of Pope Valley, according to the planning report.
The plan for an updated resort already has a use permit and therefore doesn’t need to rely on a proposed landmark preservation ordinance under consideration by the Board of Supervisors, according to the report. That ordinance would allow new uses on historic sites, while Radovan’s plan is to restore an old use.
Radovan submitted his proposal last July. County Deputy Planning Director John McDowell is urging the Planning Commission to approve it.
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In case you hadn’t heard, the project received unanimous approval