Cittaslow Sonoma? / That "Vision Thing"

Since no Indian artifacts were found during the initial archeological examination it is unlikely that development on that lot can be stopped - UNLESS you want it to be a park and are willing to make a Really Big Stink about it.

I am heartened to see that the July 2007 EIR for the project would require contractors to recycle waste, deal with dust and noise, requires a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan and a post-development plan for surface water runoff. That's a lot of trouble and expense.

But, IF that vacant lot is developed anything built there will be around for a VERY long time - we better get it right.

Since this is 2010, why can't we be building the most energy efficient projects possible with:

1. Solar photovoltaic and hot water arrays
2. Windows with a size and location that respond to solar conditions: with large overhangs above south windows (covered porches anyone?) and small windows to the east and west
3. Rain water collection to use during the initial planting period
4. Sustainable landscaping with Native plants that require no watering and fruit/vegetable/nut trees that allow for interaction of residents with the landscaping and provide a food source (Cittaslow)
   
5. Why can’t we resurrect the historic artesian well on the property, at least as a decorative fountain?
6. We can exceed the LEED guidelines limiting the chemicals in paints, carpets adhesives.
7. Require efficient windows, heating systems, etc. using QUALITY construction and 'green' methodologies
8. And most especially, in order to maintain the existing character of the block why can’t we have buildings that are architecturally compatible between two historic properties and the residential nature of historic East Spain and 2nd Streets East
   

Why can't we have a project we could be really proud of?

"Another Personal Growth Experience"

The 2 top photos are on East Spain looking southwest from the Pinelli Bungalow to the Project Site.

The bottom image is taken in front of the Mission entrance with the Pinelli Bungalow on the left and the Pinni Building on the right (Ann Appleman Florist).

Do you think maybe the Mission Square Project would have an impact on the historic view-shed?

I was concerned about the photos in the 2006 EIR that showed that The Project would NOT be visible from the Mission so I stopped by and took some photos today. Umm... it reminds me that we need to question ALL the subjective statements in the EIR.

OK, here's what we can expect:

1.) The EIR consultants for the project will submit an "Addenda to the EIR" which will illustrate and describe the mitigations, i.e., the changes that were requested by the Planning Commission in 2007.

2.) The Planning Department will make a Public Notice: in the I-T, via email to the people who have indicated they want to be notified, via postcards, they will mail something to the people who submitted comments in the past, and mail a notice to the property owners within 500 feet of the proposed project. They will announce that the Addenda is available for public review: online (probably on their Reports page), on CD and hard copy at City Hall. I will post that notice here.

3.) We will have a specified number of days to review the document (a minimum of 20 days but I'm told we can expect more time). The last day will be the date that the Project goes before the Planning Commission.

4.) At the Planning Commission meeting the public can comment on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING including NEW CONCERNS (and subjective comments in the EIR.)

5.) To the best of my knowledge (correct me if I'm wrong), it's possible the Planning Commission could:
- "Approve/Adopt" the EIR (this is all about the EIR only, but by making our concerns known during this EIR/CEQA process the Planning Commission will learn about our concerns.)
- Make a request for changes to the developer based on our concerns

6.) Even if the EIR is Adopted, the Planning Commission could (will?) insist on modifications of the project.

7.) After that the process could go in a couple directions: appeal to the City Council or, come back to the Planning Commission, and at some point, to the Design Review Committee.


This is Another Personal Growth Experience! What we learn here will help us with navigate the Planning Process in the future.

Whatever we allow to be approved for that lot will be around for 100+ years. Let's get it right. (Solar anyone?)

"New" Plans & City Representatives

These PLANS are all over town so I post them here.(5MB pdf)

16 Apartments with 567 average sq.ft/unit (a space 23ft. 9in. x 23ft. 9in.); 3,514 sq.ft. of office space on two floors; 3,600 sq.ft. of carports. No commercial use.

Note: the developer hasn't submitted the amended EIR that goes with these plans, yet, so city officials may say that they don't have enough information. Certainly it is a reduction in the 3-story monstrosity they proposed in 2006. But does it meet YOUR needs? (See "1st Call to Action" post here.)

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, like everyone, like to be prepared, to know ahead of time the thoughts and feeling of their constituents so they can intelligently address them in public.

It is useful to put together a group of informed citizens and invite these representatives to your meeting - one at a time. It means a lot of meetings but you will become better public speakers, confident about the process - and better able to make your point at the public meetings. Ask these representatives for advice about the process and how you can best make your case.

The information below is directly from the City of Sonoma web site:

PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS

Gary Edwards

Robert Felder

Raymund Gallian

Michael George - Chair

Mark Heneveld

Matt Howarth

Chip Roberson

Alternate, Matthew Tippell

The commission meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Community Meeting Room, 177 First Street West, Sonoma.

Planning Commission MINUTES AND AGENDAS

CITY COUNCIL:

Steve Barbose, Mayor (Term: First; Expires 2010) (707) 292-3675

August Sebastiani, Mayor Pro Tem (Term: First; Expires 2010) (707) 933-1704 ext. 222

Ken Brown, (Term: Third; Expires 2010) (707)938-8623

Laurie Gallian (Term: First; Expires 2012) (707) 738-9847

Joanne Sanders(Term: Second; Expires 2012) (707) 938-4422

The City Council normally meets at 6:00 p.m., on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held in the Community Meeting Room at 177 First Street West, Sonoma California.

City Council MINUTES AND AGENDAS

CEQA is a process...

CEQA - in general - is a process for public review and comment on a plan for development; it has no legal binding force to remedy environmental impacts.

CEQA does however, require full disclosure of environmental impacts.

It is an opportunity for the community to make their concerns known. Those concerns may or may not be addressed (fixed) in the next edition of the project plan.

You know how politicians when asked a question, often don’t answer it but repeat a particular message? That is what we must do.

We may or may not affect the EIR.

Our goal must be to Educate:

1. Our Planning Commission

2. Our elected representative – city council members

3. Our community – letters to the editor, conversations, speaking at meetings

“Repetition is the key to learning”

Don’t get hung up on the EIR, use it to make your concerns known, in public and in writing. This is do-able. We think. We talk. We share. Remember the 100th Monkey? If enough people are thinking and talking about their concerns... they become the community's concerns.

The EIR "Process"

The EIR must go through a public review period. Written comments from the public and agencies MUST be addressed, in writing, in the final EIR. The final EIR may or may not be adopted by the Planning Commission, but the decision must be made at a public hearing or meeting of the Commission that is open to the Public for additional comment.

The Planning Commission may approve or disapprove the Final EIR after revision. Approving or adopting the Final EIR doesn’t mean the project has been approved by the Planning Commission.

It is possible that the Planning Commission could:

1. approve and adopt the EIR and

2. approve the Project, but these are two separate decisions

The Planning Commission (and the City Council) could say “these concerns of the people cannot be resolved; this project will have an impact therefore we deny the project, or let’s do a lot swap.”

OR they could say “we don’t care about the public’s concerns we’re going to pass a "Statement of Overriding Conditions" and approve the project anyway.” (Yeah? Well, not without an extensive airing of the public’s concerns in the press and other media about the ____________ (fill in your concern.))

My concern is Historic Integrity.

Sonoma is the most historically important and intact town north of San Francisco, maybe in the entire state.

This is worth preserving!