A proposed luxury glamping resort in Napa is facing significant opposition from local residents, who cite environmental, safety, and zoning concerns.
The Grange Campground, a 12.5-acre development planned to include up to 100 high-end camping trailers, tents, a pool, and permanent structures, has sparked controversy in the North Bay.
“It’s the wrong project in the wrong location,” Napa resident Bill Griffiths said, as reported by ABC 7. Residents along Silverado Trail have mobilized against the project, gathering over 1,000 signatures, raising more than $16,000 for opposition efforts, and launching a website to voice their concerns.
A community survey reportedly found that 93% of area residents oppose the campground. Neighboring property owner Judi Buffington pointed to the site’s history of flooding as a major issue.
“The property floods periodically anytime we have a really rainy season,” she said. “It floods and that means that the mobile units that they have, have to be moved out and it’s a two-lane major highway.”
Fire safety is another concern, as the proposal includes fire pits for campers. “I don’t understand how they can propose fire pits in an area like that,” Buffington said.
“The mitigation that they are proposing for the 100 fire pits is that everybody will have a fire extinguisher.”
City officials confirmed that campers will only be permitted to burn firewood in portable outdoor fireplaces. However, residents remain skeptical, arguing that any open flames pose a risk in the fire-prone region.
Traffic congestion and road safety also factor into the opposition.
Residents report frequent accidents on Silverado Trail, a key thoroughfare in Napa County. “One of the busiest and most dangerous roads here in Napa County,” resident Kelly Carlson said.
“I worked on an ambulance for 10 years and the fatalities and injuries accidents you see on Silverado Trail and where the proposed project is going, they won’t be able to put a left-hand turn lane,” Carlson noted.
Beyond environmental and safety concerns, opponents argue that the project violates zoning laws. Despite this, the Napa Planning Commission recommended approval last year, a decision that residents continue to challenge.
City officials emphasized that the project has undergone regulatory review.
“The applicant’s proposed project has been reviewed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and all applicable regulatory requirements,” the city of Napa said in a statement.
If successful, the project could serve as a case study for luxury camping developments in sensitive environmental and residential areas.
However, resistance from the community underscores the importance of thorough planning, regulatory compliance, and engagement with local stakeholders to ensure projects align with regional needs and concerns.