SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE SONOMA
CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION
City Council Chambers, 177 First Street West
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85610232478
6:00 p.m. Special Joint Meeting
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AGENDA
City Council: Sandra Lowe, Mayor, John Gurney, Vice Mayor, Jack Ding, Patricia Farrar-Rivas, Ron Wellander
Planning Commission: Larry Barnett (Chair), Steve Barbose (Vice Chair), Donna Dambach, Amy O’Gorman-Jenkins, Sheila O’Neill, Bill Willers, Matt Wirick, Therese Nugent (Alternate)
Be Courteous - TURN OFF your cell phones and watches while the meeting is in session.
NOTICE: Mayor Sandra Lowe has called the City Council and Planning Commission into a Special Joint Meeting to discuss only the matters stated on the agenda listed below.
PUBLIC COMMENT AT SPECIAL MEETING: Members of the public shall have the opportunity to address the City Council concerning any item listed on the agenda during consideration of that item, when the Mayor opens public comment. No other items may be discussed at this special meeting.
Page
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
2.1: City Council and Planning Commission Discussion on the General Plan Update (Jennifer Gates, AICP, Community Development Director)
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss General Plan Update and provide direction to staff as necessary.
Agenda Report - General Plan Study Session - Pdf
3 - 19
3. ADJOURNMENT
I do hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing agenda was posted on the City Hall bulletin board as legally required. Rebekah Barr, MMC, City Clerk
*********************************************************************************************************************************** Please note, individuals who disrupt, disturb, impede, or render infeasible the orderly conduct of a meeting will receive one warning that, if they do not cease such behavior, they may be removed from the meeting. The chair has authority to order individuals removed if they do not cease their disruptive behavior following this warning. No warning is required before an individual is removed if that individual engages in a use of force or makes a true threat of force. (Gov. Code, § 54957.95.) Copies of all staff reports and documents subject to disclosure that relate to any item of business referred to on the agenda are normally available for public inspection the Wednesday before each regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall, located at No. 1 The Plaza, Sonoma CA. Any documents subject to disclosure that are provided to all, or a majority of all, of the members of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda after the agenda has been distributed will be made available for inspection at the City Clerk’s office, No. 1 The Plaza, Sonoma CA during regular business hours.
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MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION: A Council Member voting with the majority on any item appearing on this agenda may move for reconsideration of that vote provided the motion is in conformance with the rules adopted by the Council governing such motions.
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City of Sonoma
Agenda Item Summary
Meeting: Special Joint City Council &
Planning Commission Meeting - 11 Oct
2023
Department
Planning and Community Services
Staff Contact
Jennifer Gates, AICP, Community Development
Director
Agenda Item Title
City Council and Planning Commission Discussion on the General Plan Update.
Summary
A General Plan is the City’s guiding policy document for meeting the community’s long-term vision for the future. General Plans are required by California law to address the mandated elements in Government Code Section 65302, including land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, and safety.
The City’s General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 2006. The Circulation Element was updated in 2017 and the Housing Element was adopted and certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development this year. Since 2006, a number of new state law requirements have been enacted that will be addressed in the Elements of the General Plan update including:
Climate change and resiliency,
Environmental justice,
Wildfire risk,
Urban/wildland interface,
Flooding,
Complete streets, and
Transportation impact metrics (vehicle miles traveled).
Given changing economic conditions, climate change, housing conditions, and new State requirements, this General Plan update also provides an opportunity for the City to reaffirm and identify new goals to guide growth in the community through the year 2045.
To begin the update process, staff circulated a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consultant to assist City staff with the General Plan update on December 2022 and received four proposals. On May 17, 2023, the City Council approved a contract with De Novo Planning Group (Consultant) to help prepare the General Plan update.
On September 18, 2023, the City Council created a General Plan Update Task Force (Task Force) to ensure our diverse community needs and vision for the future are being heard and incorporated to the extent possible. The Task Force will act in an advisory capacity and meet on an as needed basis throughout the process to provide input to decision-making bodies such as the Planning Commission and the City Council.
General Plan Update Process
The General Plan update process includes three phases:
Agenda Item #2.1:
Phase 1: Establish Baseline Conditions and Community Priorities (Summer 2023 - Winter 2024) – This phase includes public engagement, visioning workshops and community survey; identification of key opportunities and challenges; and the completion of existing conditions report and a community outreach and vision report.
Phase 2: Land Use Alternatives, Policy Options, General Plan Update (Winter 2024 - Fall 2024) – Includes preparation and evaluation of land use alternatives; update of General Plan Element goals and policies; public engagement; and City Council and Planning Commission meetings.
Phase 3: Environmental Review and Final General Plan (Fall 2024 - Spring 2025) – The last phase includes the development of the initial study, scoping meeting and drafting of the environmental impact report; public engagement; City Council and Planning Commission meetings for the adoption of the General Plan and implementation plan.
This General Plan process will update all existing elements (except the Housing Element recently adopted and certified by HCD), including the introduction of new topics including historic and archeological resources, equity, sustainability and climate change, and parks, open space and recreation.
The Task Force will be meeting through out the three phases to review the information provided, participate in the community engagement activities, and review and review and comment on the goals, objectives and policies for each Element of the plan.
Community Outreach and Participation
Community outreach and engagement is a critical component of the General Plan update process. As such, the consultant and City Staff will be holding community workshops, planning commission and city council study sessions, stakeholder interviews, and community surveys. In addition, City staff will be looking for additional opportunities to interact with the community at other events such as the farmer’s market.
The General Plan has a dedicated website where all the meetings, workshops, and draft documents will be readily available for the public to review and comment. In addition, community members have an opportunity to sign up for updates from the City throughout the process. The project website is https://www.sonomacity.generalplan.org/ and the project email address is [email protected].
Next Steps
The consultant started Phase 1 of the project this summer and is preparing the draft existing conditions report. Community engagement activities that are currently planned include a community survey and two visioning workshops on November 2 and 13 at 6pm at Vintage House. City staff is identifying additional opportunities for community engagement with community partners.
City Council and Planning Commission Input
At the study session Councilmembers and Commissioners will have an opportunity to participate in a discussion similar to the activities that will be held at the upcoming Visioning Workshops. Discussion will be focused on strengths, challenges and the vision.
Strengths:
What do you value most about Sonoma?
Agenda Item #2.1:
What makes this a special place to live or work?
Challenges:
What issues are facing the City that need to be addressed in the General Plan? Vision:
What is your vision for the future of your community?
What do you want to see the General Plan accomplish?
Environmental Review:
This action is exempt from the environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15306, which exempts data collection and research. The action before the City Council is to provide input or further direction, as appropriate, which may inform how future work will be conducted.
Environmental review for the General Plan will be considered separately and for any resulting future projects.
Recommended Council Action
Discuss General Plan Update and provide direction to staff as necessary.
Alternative Actions
Financial Impact
There is no financial impacts from this action.
Environmental Review Status
Environmental Impact Report
Negative Declaration
Exempt
Not Applicable
Approved/Certified
No Action Required
Action Requested
Attachments
General Plan Update Presentation
Alignment with Council Goals:
Compliance with Climate Action 2020 Target Goals:
CC:
n/a
Agenda Item #2.1:
Kickoff Meeting
City Council & Planning
Commission Study
Session
October 11, 2023
Agenda Item #2.1:
MEETING OVERVIEW
2 • Part 1:
• General Plan Content and Purpose
• Summary of the General Plan Update Process
• Public Outreach and Community Involvement
• Next Steps
• Questions
• Part 2:
• Discussion of Key Priorities and Challenges
• Public Comment
Agenda Item #2.1:
EXISTING GENERAL PLAN
• Last comprehensive update was 2006
• Circulation Element updated in 2017
• Housing Element updated in 2023
• Numerous changes to State law
• Climate change
• Environmental justice
• Complete streets
• Flood and Fire protection
3 Agenda Item #2.1:
WHY IS THE GENERAL PLAN
IMPORTANT?
Community Vision
The General Plan Update is an opportunity to reaffirm and refine the Community’s Vision for itself:
• Quality of life
• Preservation of Open Space and Agriculture
• Innovation and Sustainability
• Vibrant economy
4 Agenda Item #2.1:
WHY IS THE GENERAL PLAN
IMPORTANT?
Comprehensive in Scope
The General Plan serves as the City’s ‘playbook’ for land use and planning decisions relative to:
• Land Uses (residential, commercial, industrial, business parks, open space, etc.)
• Infrastructure Planning (roads, water, sewer, etc.)
• Public Services (police, fire, parks, libraries, cultural activities, etc.) • Resource Conservation (clean air, sensitive habitat, waterways, groundwater, agriculture, etc.)
5 Agenda Item #2.1:
WHY IS THE GENERAL PLAN
IMPORTANT?
• Strategically identifies budget and capital investment priorities based on realizing the General Plan’s vision
• Serves as a management tool used by staff and decisionmakers • Provides guidance regarding priorities for City services including the Capital Improvement Program, Parks Planning, and Utilities Master Plans
• Streamlines development that is consistent with City’s vision • Compliance with State laws and grant eligibility
6 Agenda Item #2.1:
GENERAL PLAN CONTENT
REQUIRED ELEMENTS
• Land Use
• Circulation
• Conservation
• Open Space
• Safety
• Noise
• Housing (updated in 2023)
OPTIONAL ELEMENTS
• Economic Development
• Sustainability and Climate Change
• Historic and Archaeological
Resources
• Parks and Recreation
• Environmental Justice (Required
for Disadvantaged Communities)
• Administration and Implementation
7 Agenda Item #2.1:
LAND USE MAP
• The Land Use Map assigns a designation to
every parcel within the City limits and the
City’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) and Urban
Growth Boundary (UGB)
• Determines what can be built, and where
• Similar to the Zoning Map, but at a more
general level of detail
• The GP Update provides an opportunity to
further refine key areas within the City, make
adjustments, and plan for future growth and
resource conservation
8 Agenda Item #2.1:
Phase 1:
Establish Baseline
Conditions and
Community
Priorities
Phase 2:
Land Use Alts,
Policy Options,
GP Update
Phase 3:
CEQA and Final
General Plan
• Robust public
engagement and
visioning program • Existing Conditions
and Report • Identification of key
opportunities and
challenges • Community Outreach
and Vision Report
• Preparation and
evaluation of land use
alternatives
• Ensure Housing
Element consistency
• General Plan
Elements
• Workshops, meetings,
and hearings
• NOP and Initial Study • Scoping Meeting
• Draft Environmental
Impact Report • Final Environmental
Impact Report • Final General Plan • Final Implementation Plan
MAJOR PROJECT PHASES
9 Agenda Item #2.1:
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
• Planning Commission/City Council Study
Sessions (4)
• Community Visioning Workshops (2)
• Stakeholder Interviews
• Community Open House Workshops (2)
• Public Hearings (3)
• General Plan Update Task Force
• Workshop “Toolkit” for staff use
• Pop-up events
• Coordination with High School and Youth
Organizations
10 Agenda Item #2.1:
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
• Dedicated Website
www.SonomaCity.GeneralPlan.org
• Leverage existing City social media accounts
• Online surveys
• Newsletters
11 Agenda Item #2.1:
NEXT STEPS
• Visioning Workshop #1: November 2nd
6pm, Vintage House (264 1st Street East)
• Visioning Workshop #2: November 13th
6pm, Vintage House (264 1st Street East)
• Complete Existing Conditions Report Winter 2024
• Public Outreach Summary Report Spring 2024
• Begin work on the General Plan Update Alternatives
www.SonomaCity.GeneralPlan.org 12 Agenda Item #2.1:
QUESTIONS?
• Process?
• Outreach?
• What’s covered or not?
• What to expect?
13 Agenda Item #2.1:
PRIORITIES AND CHALLENGES
DISCUSSION
STRENGTHS
• What do you value most about Sonoma?
• What makes this a special place to live or work?
CHALLENGES
• What issues are facing the City that need to be addressed in the General Plan?
VISION
• What is your vision for the future of your community? • What do you want to see the General Plan accomplish?
14 Agenda Item #2.1: