By Pat HamptonTribune Publisher

Although passersby can’t see much work being done on the new resort at the old Silver Rose Inn

on the Silverado Trail, things are moving along.

Kelly Foster, the shepherd of the project from its start, told the city council that all buildings and vineyards have been removed, 13 underground septic tanks dug up and taken away as well as two wells, and workers have relocated 22 olive trees and five oaks.

The project has also paid $2 million in city impact fees.

Foster said he was still target-ing 2017 for the opening of the resort that will have a hotel with 85 guest rooms, 21 single-family homes, a spa, restaurant, winery and recreational amenities.

Vice Mayor Michael Dunsford asked about the first floor space

in the Masonic Building that has been rented by Foster’s group.

Foster said the space has been used to construct a model hotel room down to the smallest detail so they will know exactly how it will look before construction be-gins.

The room is not open to the public.

By Amanda RhodesTribune Staff Writer

Reverie Winery is in talks to be sold, but not until a use per-mit modification is granted by the county planning commission.

After a nearly four hour meet-ing Wednesday devoted solely to the request of a use permit modi-fication to Reverie Winery on Dia-mond Mountain Road, the Napa County Planning Commission unanimously voted for a June con-

tinuance.“Another tricky one of course,”

Commissioner Matt Pope said as he and his fellow commissioners wrangled with yet another contro-versial issue regarding winery per-mits in the valley.

The topic has caught the eye of many, not just Reverie’s neighbors in the semi-rural area located on Diamond Mountain Road in Calis-toga, after rumors surfaced that the property is reportedly for sale and in talks to be bought by the own-ers of the nearby Calistoga Hills resort.

“It is well known that this prop-erty is for sale,” Deputy Planning Director John McDowell said as he gave his report.

The applicant, Reverie owner Norman Kiken, who purchased the property in 1993, is requesting rec-ognition of illegal improvements and setback encroachments as well as increases in allowable capacity and visitation.

The use permit entitlement request pertains to the existing winery located at 1520 Diamond Mountain Rd. that has previously expanded beyond the limits of its use permit without required county approvals and is currently in viola-tion of county code.

Kiken, prior to the county ini-tiating a code enforcement case, submitted the subject use permit modification request voluntarily. Property owners with code vio-

lations have the right to request retroactive approval of develop-ment/uses implemented without required permits.

The existing parcel is 39.8 acres in area and includes an exist-ing 2,951 sq. ft. winery building, a 4,700 plus sq. ft. winery cave, outdoor work areas, crush and tank pads and a single family residence located on the same parcel. The property also has an existing 27-acre vineyard.

Kiken is requesting approval of a modification to the use permit, a use permit exception to the con-servation regulations and an ex-ception to the Napa County Roads

TribuneCalistoga

Independently owned and published in Calistoga for Calistogans since 2002 50¢

June 5, 2015

See REVERIE page 3

u ReveRie WineRy Planners continue use permit hearing

BelowtGRaduation Special insert on CHS graduation tonight 9

u SenioR aWaRdS niGht $90,000 in scholarships for graduating seniors

14

CHS GRADUATION 2015

Commencement ProgramFriday, June 5, 2015 • 7 p.m. Napa County Fairgrounds

Processional “Pomp & Circumstance,” CHS BandPledge of Allegiance Alexis MonhoffNational Anthem Cynthia RubioWelcome Principal David KumamotoValedictorian Walker HughesSalutatorian Jasmine PochiniConcert Band “Viva La Vida” by ColdplayFlag Exchange Daniel Gross & Vitor Saito ASB President Dario DiGiulioCHS Choir "Defying Gravity" from WickedSuperintendent Dr. Esmeralda Mondragon, Ed.D.Principal’s Address Principal David KumamotoClass of 2015 Presentation of Diplomas: Superintendent Esmeralda Mondragon,

President Indira Lopez, clerk Jeff Maxfield, trustee Marco DiGiulio

Recessional: Principal David Kumamoto

Congratulations Class of 2015! Today you have concluded a very important part of your life and you begin a new journey. I am sure that you will face the world’s challenges and seize the most exciting op-portunities.

As a student you still have a long way to go and a lot to achieve.

However, you have developed habits of effort and achievement. We know you can do it…si se puede! Please continue to make us part of your successes, ac-complishments and leadership contribu-tions. Thank you for making Calistoga schools and our community stronger.

Best of luck for all your future endeavors!

– Indira Lopez

President, Board of Trustees,Calistoga Joint Unified

Beginning a journey full of challenges

Class of 2015

June 5, 2015Congratulations to the Calistoga High School

New animal services withPetaluma

See ANIMALS page 3

See FLAG page 3

n Winery rumored to be for sale to Calistoga Hillsafter use permit approved

n City council approves $49,400 annual contract

County planners continue hearing on Reverie Winery improvements

By Pat HamptonTribune Publisher

A Petaluma non-profit will take over animal services in Calistoga, collecting dog license fees, over-seeing adoptions and taking in animals in its no-kill facility for an annual payment of $49,400.

City officials took notice when a woman wrote a letter to this news-paper that her older dog was killed by her neighbor’s pit bull and she had no place to call for help. Cali-stoga has not had a contract for animal services for over a decade, relying instead on the Calistoga Pet Clinic to serve as a de facto holding and treatment facility.

Last September city coun-cilmembers asked city manager Richard Spitler to prepare a request for proposals for animal control and shelter services. Three propos-als were received and in April the city negotiated an agreement with Petaluma Animal Services Foun-dation.

This week the contract was ap-proved, offering on-call field ser-vices for domestic animals in the city limits. PASF would respond

6th grade graduation

Dancing to their own tuneBy Pat HamptonTribune Publisher

Hundreds of colorful helium-filled balloons almost blocked out the sky as 62 students left Calis-toga Elementary School with a send-off by teachers and family.

Graduation for the sixth graders was held Wednes-day on a portable stage at the Berry Street Field, steps away from the sixth grade classroom these students will not return to in the fall. They are now seventh graders.

CES Principal Vicka Llamas addressed the crowd and then teachers Autumn Grove, Matthew Gudenius and Sarah Flint handed out awards for citi-zenship, educational excel-lence and most improved. Photo by Pat hamPton

Sixth grade elementary school teacher Matthew Gudenius leads sixth graders and company in a group celebration dance after sixth grade graduation ended Wednesday evening.

The Rainbow Flag celebrating gay pride will fly on the communi-ty pole near the police station from June 11-18, city council unani-mously decided Tuesday.

Ten-year resident Ar-turo Alfaro asked the council to approve fly-ing the col-orful flag in recognition of Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride week.

“Seeing the rainbow flag raised in our city celebrating the contri-butions and diversity of our les-bian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community would mean

City approves flying rainbow flag for a weekn Request to fly LGBT flag approved 5-0

n Resort set to open in 2017 if all goes well

Silver Rose project still moving along with target date in 2017