NAPA, Calif. — A proposed 12.5-acre glamping resort in Napa has ignited fierce opposition from local residents, raising concerns about its potential environmental and safety impacts. The Grange Campground, envisioned as a luxury getaway with up to 100 high-end camping trailers, tents, a pool, and various permanent structures, has become the focus of intense debate among those living in the area, particularly along Napa’s Silverado Trail.
The project, which was recommended for approval by the Napa Planning Commission last year, has drawn criticism from residents who argue that it is the wrong development for the location. Bill Griffiths, a Napa resident, called the proposal “the wrong project in the wrong location,” reflecting a sentiment echoed by many others in the community.
Opposition to the campground is not limited to concerns over its design or scope. Residents have pointed to several factors that could pose significant risks. Among the most pressing are concerns over flooding and fire safety. Judi Buffington, a property owner adjacent to the proposed site, shared photographs showing the area’s history of flooding. “The property floods periodically anytime we have a really rainy season,” Buffington explained. “That means the mobile units would have to be moved out, and it’s a two-lane major highway.”
The campground’s proposal includes fire pits, which many residents view as a dangerous addition, especially given the area’s fire-prone environment. “I don’t understand how they can propose fire pits in an area like that,” said Buffington. While the city of Napa confirmed that campers would only be allowed to burn firewood in portable outdoor fireplaces, the plan for fire pits has still raised significant concerns. In response, the campground’s developers have suggested that each site would be equipped with a fire extinguisher as a mitigation measure.
Traffic safety is another key issue that has sparked concern among residents. Many have voiced fears about the potential dangers posed by increased traffic along Silverado Trail, one of the busiest and most hazardous roads in Napa County. Kelly Carlson, a Napa resident who worked as an ambulance driver for 10 years, said the area has seen several accidents, including fatalities. “They won’t be able to put a left-hand turn lane, and the accidents we’ve seen on that road are severe,” Carlson warned.
In addition to these concerns, residents argue that the campground would violate existing zoning laws in the area. Despite this, the project received a favorable recommendation from the Napa Planning Commission, setting the stage for potential approval.
In response to the growing opposition, local residents have taken action, gathering over 1,000 signatures on petitions, raising more than $16,000 in funds to challenge the project, and creating a website to amplify their concerns. According to surveys conducted by community members, 93% of locals in the area are opposed to the development.
As the debate over the Grange Campground continues, it remains to be seen whether Napa officials will reconsider the project in light of the strong pushback from the community. For now, residents along Silverado Trail are resolute in their efforts to prevent what they view as an ill-suited development from becoming a reality.