July 26, 2026
Mayor Lemus, Vice Mayor Harvey, and Council Members Ford, Savage and Sparks, It is my privilege to have been given the opportunity by you to serve as one of your Planning Commissioners in our beloved city of Cotati.
Coming before you tonight is a proposed plan by Director Housh for a new Freeway Oriented Development (FOD) Overlay District. As he was presenting the plan to the Planning Commission I saw Pandora’s Box open. I’ve taken a lot of time to think about it, and I’d like to explain my objections.
Director Housh referred to the proposed FOD as “the economic engine” of our city. He believes that having larger signs beside Highway 101 will attract commerce to Cotati.
I do not agree. The reason we are having an economic downturn is people are making purchases online and avoiding brick and mortar businesses altogether. Gas prices are skyrocketing, rent is going up and the cost of food is through the roof. People are not spending money on non-essentials.
When I became a commissioner, I was told that my job was to think about the future and make decisions knowing that they would effect Cotati 20 years from now. This FOD is the Pandora’s Box:
Allowing 25 foot signs along Redwood Drive and abolishing our Drive Through prohibition in that area is the beginning of dismantling decisions made 20 plus years ago. Those decisions which preserved Cotati’s small town character are precious to me today. If we approve this here, what’s to stop businesses in other parts of town to expect the same? Across the freeway on Commerce. The Gravenstein (Highway 116) Corridor district. Along East Cotati Avenue. On Old Redwood Highway.
Bigger signs and Drive Through’s make us Anywhere USA. Let’s build on what’s special about Cotati. Clearly, Cotati knows how to put on a community party and attract folks to our town center.
More people appear to be attending the farmers market. More people than ever attended this years Kids Day Parade. More people than ever attended Music in the Park. Thousands of people attend the Accordion Festival every year. While people are in town enjoying Cotati, let’s advertise and promote all the unique and wonderful businesses they can patronize.
More ways of educating our residents about shopping locally and why it matters are also part of the solution. It’s an opportunity to boast about all Cotati has to offer and why shopping local makes the events people enjoy possible. The City of Cotati chooses to give back to its residents by using tax dollars to put on these events. Residents need to know that by supporting Cotati businesses and keeping our tax dollars here, they directly benefit.
Another thought: People I speak with tell me they come to Cotati specifically to shop at Oliver’s. Our City Council of yesteryear decided to invest in Steve Maass’ dream and look at what grew. Perhaps investing in more homegrown dreams will be your legacy as a Council Member.
In short, there are ways to bring commerce to the city without allowing 25 foot signs, changing our drive through ordinance, or allowing another formula based fast food business. We are not the only city having an economic downturn. This proposed Freeway Oriented Development Overlay District will not fix the problem.
If businesses need signs that are not currently legal, they have the right to ask the city for a variance.
This is a more inclusive and transparent process that allows Cotati’s businesses, residents and elected officials to make joint decisions about Cotati’s future.
I appreciate the dedication of our staff for thinking about our economic viability. Being a civil servant or an elected official is not easy. I am humbled by the job you all do. Council, I appreciate your openness and good intention to hold space for what past councils enacted. I appreciate each of you for being thoughtful and wise when these tough decisions come before you.
The best thing I ever saw at a Kid’s Day Parade was our (then) 90 plus year old founder, Prue Draper, dressed in a Chicken Suit dancing down Old Redwood Highway. She was formidable, fun, spoke her mind and ALWAYS had Cotati’s best interest in her heart. 25 foot chickens??? THAT would attract commerce to Cotati.
Shelley Berman
Cotati