Proposed vineyard redevelopment at center of debate over future of Napa’s wine industry

San Francisco Chronicle – August 17

The proposed redevelopment of a vineyard in south Napa County is at the center of a heated political debate over land use in the area. The vineyard’s owners say it is “blighted,” no longer viable for grape growing. They want to redevelop the land for industrial use, such as wine warehouses used for fulfillment or storage. But Napa Valley preservationists, including wine and agriculture groups like the Napa County Farm Bureau and Napa Valley Vintners, are worried that could set a dangerous precedent of converting protected land and kick-start urban sprawl. In November, residents of American Canyon, located at the south end of Napa County, will vote on the first significant step toward redevelopment.

Two more Southern California cities halt warehouse expansion

American Journal of Transportation – August 18

Two more Southern California cities have voted to enact and extend temporary moratoriums on new industrial developments to study the environmental and health impact on residents. By unanimous vote, the Norco city council last Wednesday enacted a 45-day moratorium on the construction of new industrial areas and warehouses. Earlier in the week, Pomona city officials extended a similar pause on development for an additional 10-and-a-half months.

KRON – August 22

On August 18, the California High-Speed Rail Authority board voted unanimously to approve the environmental impact report along the 49-mile section from San Francisco to San Jose. The high-speed rail line will feed into San Jose through Diridon Station, which is set to become a major transit hub with BART’s expansion from the north. To connect the Central Valley to Gilroy, and then San Jose, the project will require tunneling through Pacheco Pass.

Hotel-to-housing conversions proliferate

Urban Land – August 15

Numerous outdated hotel properties are being reborn as residences as multifamily developers and investors looking for a quick and cost-effective way to produce more housing snap them up for conversion to apartments. “Even though they are paying above market for assets, investors feel like they’re getting a bargain because it can be cheaper to convert a hotel to apartments than to acquire or build multifamily projects,” Geraldine Guichardo, head of global research for JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group and Americas Hotels Research, Living Platform USA explains. The average cost per unit for hotel-to-housing conversions in California, for example, is $130,000, compared with the $380,000 to $570,000 per unit for new construction, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development.