City Council Cover Page

TITLE

Approve an Addendum to the Certified General Plan Program Environmental Impact Report (Program EIR) (SCH No. 2022070038) and Conduct Final Reading and Adoption of the Hess/Laird Territory Special Study Pre-Zoning Ordinance

RECOMMENDATION

Waive final reading, read by title only, and adopt an Ordinance to approve Special Study Pre-Zoning for the Hess/Laird Territory consistent with the General Plan (American Canyon Municipal Code Chapter 19.50) and approve an Addendum to the Certified General Plan Program Environmental Impact Report, finding the Ordinance consistent with the General Plan Program EIR.

CONTACT

Brent Cooper, AICP, Community Development Director

Matthew Summers, City Attorney

BACKGROUND & ANALYSIS

The Hess/Laird property consists of approximately 281 acres and is located outside the City limits in unincorporated Napa County, east of State Route 29 and north of Watson Lane. In March 2026, the property owners initiated an application with the Napa County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to annex their property into the City of American Canyon (Assessor Parcel Numbers 057-090-065 and 057-090-066). A location map of the Hess/Laird property is included as Attachment 2.

On September 1, 2026, the City Council approved the first reading of an Ordinance approving Pre-Zoning for the Hess/Laird Territory consistent with the General Plan (American Canyon Municipal Code Chapter 19.50) If the final reading is approved, the Ordinance will become effective 30 days later on October 15, 2026. A copy of the Ordinance is included as Attachment 1.

COUNCIL PRIORITY PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
Organizational Effectiveness: "Deliver exemplary government services."

FISCAL IMPACT

Not applicable due to zoning regulations that allow very limited land use potential.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

The Affected Territory Special Study General Plan designation was evaluated in the General Plan Program Environmental Impact Report (Program EIR) (SCH# 2022070038). The implementing Special Study Pre-Zoning, and contemplated LAFCO actions are consistent with the General Plan, is a contemplated "Project Approval" under the Program EIR. Therefore, approval of the Pre-Zoning based on the Certified General Plan Final EIR, which includes the Statement of Overriding Considerations and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, complies with CEQA. The City Council certified the General Plan Final EIR by adoption of Resolution No. 2025-37 on May 20, 2025. A copy of the addendum is included as Exhibit C to Attachment 1.

COMMUNICATION
Level 0: No Further Public Communication Needed

ATTACHMENTS:
1._Ordinance_HLAT_PreZoning
2. Hess Laird Location Map