More changes are on the way for the controversial Angwin eco-village.

Pacific Union College and development partner Triad Communities are considering major changes to the proposed project, according to a press release, “including a further reduction of houses, removal of units previously planned for ball fields at the town entrance, and a retirement center.”

Details will be unveiled at a public meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Howell Mountain Elementary School multi-use room in Angwin. A second informational meeting will be held the following night at the same place and time.

The adjustments appear to focus on the “village square” area of the project, adjacent to Howell Mountain Road.

“In the existing configuration, there are (residential) units planned for the ball fields,” said Peter Bartelme, spokesman for PUC and Triad. “In the revised plan that we’d like community input about, the ball fields remain to maintain that area as open space upon entering Angwin.”

“For the past two months, we have been meeting with a small group of highly-respected community members, including members of the opposition group Save Rural Angwin, to listen carefully to their concerns about the eco-village and their ideas for making the project better,” said Chad Kiltz, project manager for Triad. “Based on suggestions from the participants in those meetings, we are now considering major changes to the eco-village.”

When PUC and Triad officials first announced the project in 2006, their plans included 591 housing units, as well as upgrades to campus and to the small commercial area in Angwin. The building designs include water- and energy-saving features to minimize demand for natural resources.

After Angwin residents and others raised concerns about the size of the project and potential traffic, and after it became the center of attention during the county’s general plan update, the number of homes was reduced to 380.

Allen Spence of Save Rural Angwin was skeptical about the changes to be unveiled Tuesday night. He said plans show that 105 of the project’s residential units are being converted to retirement units.

“We are pleased that the development is continuing to evolve and we look forward to fully understanding the new configuration,” said Spence. “We know that there is some sentiment, in Angwin, favoring a retirement facility — but 275 homes plus 105 retirement units (380 in total, like the current proposal) is not a significant change. Hopefully they have actually made significant changes since they last met with their small group.”

College officials say the money generated by the eco-village project is needed to build the college endowment and allow PUC to remain financially viable.

Opponents say any development in excess of the 191 units already pre-approved by the county will strain local infrastructure and destroy Angwin’s rural character.

The environmental impact report for the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The Napa County Board of Supervisors will have the final say on the project.

For information about the project go to www.angwin-ecovillage.com. To learn about the opposition group, visit www.saveruralangwin.org.´