Early results show a tight race over Measure B, which would allow a resort to be built on St. Helena.

Election night results were close for St. Helena’s Measure B, which would have allowed the 56-room resort at Charles Krug Winery to continue operating without bypassing the city’s normal review process.

Results released by the Napa County elections department around 8 p.m. Tuesday showed that with 40% of the total potential votes counted, about 49% of voters supported the measure.

The measure requires a simple majority vote to pass.

The Press Democrat will rely on information from election officials before determining whether the measure will pass or not, since not everyone who received a ballot will vote.

The next round of elections is expected Friday afternoon.

The project from Noble House Hotels & Resort, owners of the Napa Valley Wine Train, is proposed for an 8 1/2-acre site at the winery. It will include several amenities, including meeting rooms, a spa and a restaurant.

Proponents of the measure say the city would be able to reap the economic and financial benefits (currently a $7 million budget shortfall) from the project sooner if the measure passes.

This is because the standard city review process can take years.

However, opponents of the measure argue that a proper process is needed to properly evaluate a project against environmental and other criteria, including city standards.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned.

You can reach staff writer Edward Booth at 707-521-5281 or [email protected]..