City Council:
John Gurney, Mayor
Patricia Farrar-Rivas, Vice Mayor
Jack Ding
Sandra Lowe
Ron Wellander
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SONOMA CITY COUNCIL
City Council Chambers, 177 First Street West
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84876986131
5:00 p.m. Special Meeting
****
AGENDA
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NOTICE: Mayor John Gurney has called the City Council into a Special 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)
3 - 22
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss General Plan Update and provide direction to staff as necessary.
Agenda Report - General Plan Study Session - Pdf
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.
*********************************************************************************************************************************** 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. If you challenge the action of the City Council in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described on the agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk, at or prior to the public hearing.
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES: The Council may establish and make appointments to a Council committee (made up of two Council Members) with respect to any item appearing on this agenda.
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.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk (707) 933-2216. Notification 48-hours before the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
City of Sonoma
Agenda Item Summary
Meeting: Joint City Council & Planning
Commission General Plan Study Session
- 05 Jun 2024
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.
On October 11, 2024 the City Council held a special meeting with the Planning Commission to kick-off the General Plan process.
General Plan Update Process
The General Plan update process includes three phases:
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. COMPLETE 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. CURRENT PHASE
Agenda Item #2.1:
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.
Existing Conditions Report
The consultant, as part of Phase 1, prepared the draft existing conditions report. This document provides an overview of Sonoma’s physical, environmental, economic, and demographic setting, as of October 2023 and will provide the environmental baseline setting for the General Plan EIR. The report is separated into nine topic areas and is available on the project website: https://sonomacity.generalplan.org/documents-maps.
Community Engagement Summary
From November 2024 to February 2024 the City held or participated in 11 community engagement activities. In addition, Stakeholder Interviews were held with local and regional agencies and an online survey was circulated with 181 responses received. A full summary of the community workshops, stakeholder interviews, and online survey results are available in the Community Engagement Summary on the project website:
https://sonomacity.generalplan.org/documents-maps.
Common themes included:
Challenges related to housing affordability
How to attract and retain a diverse array of businesses and jobs Importance of maintaining safe community
Improve walkability and bikeability
Emphasis on social equity and environmental stewardship General Plan Update Task Force
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. 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.
Since its creation, the Task Force has met four times and participated in many of the same activities as the public and have had opportunities for more specific discussions about general plans and city/individual needs.
City Council and Planning Commission Direction
At the study session Councilmembers and Commissioners will have an opportunity to provide direction on Land Use Map refinements. Here are the questions for discussion.
Agenda Item #2.1:
Are there specific themes or strategies that should be explored as part of the General Plan Update?
Increasing residential densities?
Encouraging new jobs-generating uses in economic sectors beyond retail, wineries, hotels, and tourism?
Is it safe to assume that all parcels designated Park and Hillside should be protected and maintained as-is?
Are there areas of the City where the land use designations should be modified? Are there new, or revised, land use designations that should be considered? Other thoughts and input?
Next Steps
The project team will begin working on Land Use Map refinements with the General Plan Update Task Force and return to City Council and Planning Commission with a Draft Land Use Map for review that will be presented to the public to gather any additional input from the community.
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
GP Update Presentation
Alignment with Council Goals:
Agenda Item #2.1:
City Council & Planning
Commission
Project Update and Study
Session
June 5, 2024
Agenda Item #2.1:
MEETING OVERVIEW
2 • Part 1:
• Work completed since last joint meeting
• Public Outreach and Community Feedback
• Existing Conditions Report
• Questions/Discussion
• Part 2:
• Preliminary Land Use Discussion
• Next Steps
Agenda Item #2.1:
OUTREACH EFFORTS TO-DATE
• Visioning Workshops (x2) – November 2023
• Overview of GP, process, requirements, etc
• Activities related to issues, challenges, priorities, vision, land use, circulation, design/placemaking
• Community Workshop – January 2024
• Activities related to community character, natural and built environments, land use, and placemaking
• Staff Community Presentations (x8) –
November-January
• Importance of GP, process to update, how to
participate
3 OUTREACH EFFORTS TO-DATE
• Visioning Workshops (x2) – November 2023
• Overview of GP, process, requirements, etc
• Activities related to issues, challenges, priorities, vision, land use, circulation, design/placemaking
• Community Workshop – January 2024
• Activities related to community character, natural and built environments, land use, and placemaking
• Staff Community Presentations (x8) –
November-January
• Importance of GP, process to update, how to
participate
3 OUTREACH EFFORTS TO-DATE
• Visioning Workshops (x2) – November 2023
• Overview of GP, process, requirements, etc
• Activities related to issues, challenges, priorities, vision, land use, circulation, design/placemaking
• Community Workshop – January 2024
• Activities related to community character, natural and built environments, land use, and placemaking
• Staff Community Presentations (x8) –
November-January
• Importance of GP, process to update, how to
participate
3 Agenda Item #2.1:
OUTREACH EFFORTS TO-DATE
• Stakeholder Interviews
• School District, Community Center, Hospital, Boys/Girls Club • City Departments, Police, Fire
• Chamber, Visitors Bureau, Vida Cultural Arts, Vintners/Growers Assoc., County Econ Dev.
• Online Survey
• November 2023 – April 2024
• 181 Respondents
4 Agenda Item #2.1:
OUTREACH SUMMARY REPORT
• Detailed summary of outreach efforts and feedback
• Provides summaries, as well as raw feedback
results
• Common themes included:
• Challenges related to housing affordability
• How to attract and retain a diverse array of businesses and jobs
• Importance of maintaining safe community
• Improve walkability and bikeability
• Emphasis on social equity and environmental stewardship 5 Agenda Item #2.1:
EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
• Provides an overview of Sonoma’s physical, environmental, economic, and demographic setting, as of October 2023.
• Serves to establish the baseline conditions in Sonoma, in order to help guide the development of the General Plan Update.
• Intended to be a separate companion document to the
General Plan.
• Will provide the environmental baseline setting for the General Plan EIR.
6 Agenda Item #2.1:
EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT
• Land Use and Socioeconomics
• Economic and Demographic Conditions and Trends
• Circulation
• Community Services and Facilities
• Utilities
• Hazards and Safety
• Community Noise
• Conservation
• Environmental Justice and Equity
7 Agenda Item #2.1:
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION
Questions and discussion related to outreach efforts and the Existing Conditions Report?
8 Agenda Item #2.1:
LAND USE MAP REVISIONS
9 Agenda Item #2.1:
LAND USE MAP REVISIONS
• The General Plan Land Use Map, and the corresponding
Land Use Designation, determine what can be built on any given parcel of land within the City.
• The Land Use Designations provide details related to allowed uses, density and intensity of development.
• The General Plan Update is the ideal time to revisit the Land Use Map, as well as Land Use Designations.
10 Agenda Item #2.1:
LAND USE MAP REVISIONS
• Map revisions will be focused within the City, SOI, and UGB. • There are only a small handful of vacant parcels within Sonoma, other than those designated Park, Hillside, or
Agriculture.
• The County Assessor’s office identified approximately 82 acres of vacant residential land in Sonoma, however, nearly all of those parcels are designated either Park, Hillside, or Agriculture.
• We assume land use changes will be targeted, incremental, and focus on infill, redevelopment, and (potentially)
intensification.
11 Agenda Item #2.1:
LAND USE MAP REVISIONS
• Community input related to Land Uses
included:
• Providing more options for affordable housing
• Expanding the local jobs base
• Preserving and protecting parks, open spaces,
historical resources, and public gathering
spaces
• Improving connectivity between residential
areas and public spaces, retail, and schools
12 Agenda Item #2.1:
LAND USE MAP REVISIONS
• Key findings from the Economic Development and Market Study Report included:
• Sonoma has very low multi-family residential vacancy rates (3.4%) • Data and trends indicate that new multi-family housing with modern amenities could be absorbed into the Plan Area
• Sonoma has a strong retail base with low vacancy rates and increasing rents, but no new inventory has been constructed in last 10 years. This is likely due to population size and limited potential for population growth. • There is market capacity to accommodate additional lodging and hospitality facilities, which would benefit the retail sector. However, there are limited sites available inside the City.
• Consider expanding and modernizing/improving the office stock to accommodate remote Bay Area tech employees, and lay the groundwork to attract larger users.
13 Agenda Item #2.1:
LAND USE MAP DISCUSSION
• Are there specific themes or strategies that should be explored as part of the General Plan Update?
• Increasing residential densities?
• Encouraging new jobs-generating uses in economic sectors beyond retail, wineries, hotels, and tourism?
• Is it safe to assume that all parcels designated Park and Hillside should be protected and maintained as-is?
• Are there areas of the City where the land use designations should be modified?
• Are there new, or revised, land use designations that should be considered? • Other thoughts and input?
14 Agenda Item #2.1:
NEXT STEPS
• The project team will begin working on Land Use Map
refinements.
• Return to PC/CC with a Draft Land Use Map for review and discussion.
• Public review and workshops to gather input and feedback on the Draft Land Use Map.
• Begin work on crafting updated General Plan Elements. • Complete Draft text for all General Plan Elements.
• Seek additional PC/CC input and conduct additional public outreach.
15 Agenda Item #2.1:
STAY INFORMED
www.sonomacity.generalplan.org
16 Agenda Item #2.1:
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Designation Residential Density Allowed
Rural Residential 2 units/acre
Low Density Residential 2-5 units/acre
Sonoma Residential 3-8 units/acre
Medium Density Residential 7-11 units/acre
High Density Residential 11-15 units/acre
Housing Opportunity 15-25 units/acre
Mobile Home 7 units/acre
Commercial 20 units/acre (residential component required) Gateway Commercial 20 units/acre (residential component required) Mixed-Use 20 units/acre (residential component required) 17 Agenda Item #2.1: