Dear Napa Neighbors: 

The Le Petit Elephant childcare and event center proposal disregards environmental and existing zoning regulations.

As you probably know, a large-scale childcare/event center has been approved by the Napa City Planning Commission to purchase and move into the former Mormon Church in Alta Heights, Napa. 

First, let us be clear, the neighborhood is not against children or childcare. In fact, we have two childcare centers (Children's Cottage approved for 82 children and Yellow Brick Rd approved for 32 children) and Alta Heights Elementary (student population approximately 280) located in the neighborhood. We are not opposed to another childcare that is right sized and appropriate for the neighborhood. 

This proposal, however, is not just for a large, up to 250 children, childcare.

This proposal is for an event center open seven days a week, hours ranging from 7:30am to 8:00pm on weekdays and 10:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday and Sunday with the majority of the activities outside of, and not licensed under, the childcare program.  Imagine an event center being dropped into the middle or your neighborhood, a neighborhood with limited access points and dead-end streets.

There is no clear definition around these events whereby tickets would be sold and/or the premises would be rented by third parties – which are proposed to take place in the after-hours (Monday-Friday from 5:30pm to 8:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 7:00pm). 

So far, the Applicant has indicated the events would include everything from: anniversaries, reunions, birthday parties, sports tournaments, basketball/soccer practice, movie nights, puppet shows, game nights, etc. No limit on number of people or frequency of use has been set forth.  And, importantly, no restriction on the serving of alcoholic beverages.

A totally inadequate traffic study was completed on the project to address the impact on the neighborhood. It indicated that the childcare alone would generate 1,000+ additional car trips per day. This is more car trips than the 128-room Oxbow Hotel project, that is on a main thoroughfare.

Additionally, there were no specifics with the number of people that would attend all the event center activities, the traffic impact of the additional vehicles for such activities has not been studied.  

This proposal is putting NVUSD kid’s safety at risk (Alta Gators). As many know, NVUSD is undergoing a major budget crunch. We need to support and take advantage of the school facilities and system we already have in place. 

Proper due diligence on the impact of this project was wholly insufficient.

A significant number of neighbors have come together and appealed to City Council to deny this project and asking simply that the lawfully required compliance be done on the project. 

What we are asking is:

- A complete and accurate traffic study that encompasses the event center related to the project.

- An environmental impact report 

- Clear evacuation and safety measures for the neighborhood (neighborhood has limited ingress and egress points and has been evacuated multiple times)

-Removal of the event center, limiting hours of operation to traditional and appropriate childcare hours

-Childcare of an appropriate size and scope for a residential neighborhood

Please show your support by signing this petition and writing to the City Council members to deny the use permit for the daycare (Le Petit Elephant) so that proper compliance can be conducted.  

Letters to support the denial of the use permit can be sent to clerk@cityofnapa.org with copies to your local council member and the mayor.

Mayor Scott Sedgley ssedgley@cityofnapa.org
Liz Alessio lalessio@cityofnapa.org
Beth Painter bpainter@cityofnapa.org 
Mary Luros mluros@cityofnapa.org
Bernie Narvaez bnarvaez@cityofnapa.org

You can also show your support by attending the hearing at City Hall on Tuesday May 21, 2024 at 6:30 pm.