To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk
Prepared By: Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk
TITLE:
Title
Planning Commission Membership
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Interview Applicants and appoint two individuals to the Planning Commission for terms beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2027.
Body
DISCUSSION:
COMPOSITION AND PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION
The Planning Commission is governed by Chapter 2.68 of the City of Napa Municipal Code. The Planning Commission consists of five members. Two members shall be design professionals. The Planning Commission provides recommendations to the City Council on matters related to land use and planning, particularly related to amendments to the City's General Plan policies and Zoning Ordinance; and is the "decision-making body" for specified actions, especially those pertaining to buildings and construction, subdivision, and zoning within the City of Napa.
As defined by Napa Municipal Code Section 2.68.020, a “design professional” is a person who demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the City Council, that he or she has professional experience (in the fields of architectural design, landscape architecture, urban planning, building, sustainability, or a related field) that is sufficient to assist the member in the effective evaluation of applications for development projects. In determining whether a particular person is a “design professional,” the City Council may consider as relevant experience the candidate’s membership on this Commission, or a commission responsible for reviewing applications for development projects.
NUMBER AND TIMING OF VACANCIES INCLUDING SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
There are two vacancies to be filled due to the term expirations of Alex Myers and Beverly Shotwell effective December 31, 2025.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The City Clerk accepted applications for the Commission from November 13, 2025 through December 5, 2025. Recruitment announcements were shared on the City’s website and social media platforms, published in the City’s electronic newsletter “Napa News Weekly”, posted at various locations at City Hall, Human Resources, and the Community Services building, and sent to the Napa County Library, Napa Valley College, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Unified School District, Napa County Board of Supervisors, Napa County Administration, Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Community Housing, Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center, and Leadership Napa Valley.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
A total of five (5) applications were received from Alexander Myers, Danielly Ludwig, Beverly Shotwell, Kyle Larson and Darren Graffuis.
SPECIAL NOTES
Current Commissioners Eryn Ebach and Lindsay Owen serve as the designated “Design Professionals.”
Alexander Myers is an incumbent applying for his second term.
Beverly Shotwell is an incumbent applying for her third term.
Danielly Ludwig, Kyle Larson and Darren Graffuis are new applicants.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
None.
CEQA:
The City Clerk has determined that the recommended action described in this agenda report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Redacted Applications
NOTIFICATION:
Applicants.