Case Study
Wine Country Villa
Location Healdsburg, CA
Owner Private Residential Client
Type Fire Rebuild
Scale 37 Acres, 9 Structures
Project overview
The Wine Country Villa provides a case study for the firm’s successful value-add track record. Upon engagement, the 37-acre property in Healdsburg, California was not meeting the client’s needs and expectations. The property had a main residence, guesthouse and pool house that were periodically used for small corporate gatherings but could not accommodate overall needs, resulting in underutilization of the property and low occupancy rate.
The client desired a high-class luxury retreat-style family estate with accommodations to support larger gathers, increase its occupancy rate, and activate the property to its highest and best use. Through established agency relationships, knowledge of agency requirements, strategic naming conventions, carefully illustrated plan sets, succinct permit submission and direct impacts from a natural disaster, the Client was able to achieve its goal of bringing a corporate retreat center vision to life with the renovations to core amenities, new vineyards and the construction of four different style luxury cabins around a vineyard estate.
THE OPPORTUNITIES
The 2019 Kincaid wildfire in Sonoma County was a catastrophic event that destroyed portions of the property and damaged certain structural improvements. The event was devastating but provided an opportunity to reimagine the vision for the property.
Intrinsic knowledge of the local agencies regulations and agency staff relationships provided opportunity to guide the designs to ensure approval by the local agency having authority.
Value Adds
- Client Focused
- Permit Process Control
- Breaking Down Permitting Barriers
- Reduction in Unnecessary Agency Requests
- Avoiding Agency Demanded Improvements
- Calculated Permit Issuance Timing
- Prevent Erroneous Agency Fees
- Eliminate Permitting Delays
HOW DOES VALUE-ADDED LAND USE PLANNING AND PERMITTING DIFFER?
Value-added permit execution focuses on core client objectives while taking into consideration a tactical approach to permitting, anticipating unforeseen influence and controlling the permitting issuance outcome. Compared to a standard permitting approach, which simply includes preparing plans for submission and then waiting to “see what happens.” Proper planning, with a disciplined approach and a proven method, ensures project permitting success. We help clients avoid critical missteps in planning, permitting and executing projects, resulting in direct value-added benefits.
WINE COUNTRY VILLA VALUE-ADD PERMITTING
Upon engagement, client goals and objectives were set within identified regulatory guardrails. Since the regulatory agency does not allow certain use designations, selected nomenclature was used to classify the residential occupancy of the structures. A permitting strategy was drafted and memorialized in writing so all project team members knew the intent and would be consistent in the messaging across all communications. The implementation strategy provided milestones and action steps. The permits for each of the independent structures were submitted with a calculated and very intentional timing so agency speculation was controlled. Controlling the time and speculation avoided unnecessary conditions and requirements (e.g., unnecessary septic system and access improvements). To avoid lingering permit timelines, agency communication strategy was implemented to keep attention and permit reviews flowing internally within the reviewing agency. Permits were obtained with limited delays and without unanticipated requirements (e.g., fire suppression systems).
The Results
Through the strategic land planning and permitting strategy, Brodie brought the owner’s retreat center vision to life resulting in six different style luxury cabins spread out around a vineyard estate with the ability to host up to 24 guests. Each cabin on the property provides a different view and experience for the guests. The property features a commercial catering kitchen along with an amenity core to support the events program.