October 2024
Planning Department Activity Report
Jane Riley, AICP Community Development Director (interim) [email protected]
Monthly Statistics for October 2024
New Applications: 6
Issued Applications: 4
Active Applications: 9
Active Long-Range & Grant Projects: 5
Noteworthy Information:
1. The Planning Commission held a public hearing to hear the third milestone #3 update from the Sonoma County Active Transportation Plan which was presented by the consultant group Fehr&Peers and Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA). The Council will be hearing this same report in November.
2. The Planning Commission also heard an update on the Sustainable Transportation Grant project that is reimagining the downtown core. There is a public workshop scheduled for November 14th, 2024, to encourage members of the public and other stakeholders to come out and express their opinions on the project and provide feedback to City staff and the consultant team.
3. The Department is currently working on five long-range planning or grant projects which include the AmeriCorps Trail project; the Sustainable Transportation Grant and Main Street Redesign; Housing Element implementation; the Priority Development Grant and work force housing overlay; and the Sebastopol Active Transportation Plan.
4. The Department is processing 6 various permits for land use entitlements which range from staff level administrative permits to conditional use permits requiring discretionary approval to the Barlow Hotel Development Agreement, which will require City Council approval in early 2025.
5. In addition to the above discreet projects, planning staff spend significant time on issues as they arise during any week. One example is the illegal placement of the “Cock Robin” signage on the building at the corner of Sebastopol Avenue and Morris Street, which signage exceeds the size limit allowed under ordinance and under the Barlow’s approved Sign Program. The Design Review Board denied a request for a variance to allow the additional signage on September 24, a week after the signage had been installed without benefit of permit. The property owner has appealed the DRB’s denial, and staff have requested removal of the unapproved signage pending the appeal.
This appeal is scheduled to be heard by the City Council in December.