Meet Your New Napa County Planning Commissioners

NAPA COUNTY, CA— The Napa County Planning Commission has two new members.

On Tuesday, the Napa County Board of Supervisors confirmed the appointments of Walter Brooks and Pete Richmond. Their terms are four years and expire at the end of 2028.

Brooks represents District 2 and is a self-employed grape grower with 20 years of experience in grape growing and winemaking in the Napa Valley. He also has extensive experience managing complex space missions and leading large teams of scientists and engineers at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View and Brookhaven National Library in New York.

In his application to serve as a commissioner, Brooks wrote that "maintaining a balance between growth and sustainability and quality of life is a major challenge for Napa Valley." He also noted the key role of the planning commission in "determining and implementing the County General Plan."

Richmond represents District 5. He is the president and vineyard manager of Silverado Farming, and he has 38 years of experience in farming and vineyards, 35 of which have been in Napa County.

In his application, Richmond wrote that he is "concerned about the intersection of business and community" but that the two "can work together towards a common goal." He also wants to protect the Ag Preserve.

Richmond, who previously served on the Napa County Housing Commission, also stressed the need to find housing options for residents.

The Planning Commission conducts public hearings and makes decisions and/or recommendations to the Board on land-use proposals and entitlements, including use permits, subdivisions and parcel maps.

The Board of Supervisors appoints the commission's five members. Brooks and Richmond were nominated by the supervisors of their respective districts.

See a list of current openings on county boards and commissions. Appointments are made throughout the year, depending on vacancies.