D'Lynda Fischer 2018 City Council Candidate

We sent a questionnaire to each of the 2018 mayoral and city council candidates. The questionnaire was very specific about the Scott Ranch/Davidon proposal and the future of the land at Windsor and D Street.

Petaluma City Council Candidate

D'Lynda Fischer

Response

Question:

What role does a city council member have in protecting community character and addressing issues such as traffic circulation?

The most pressing issue for the constituencies of this city whom I have spoken with during this campaign is traffic congestion and the amount of time it now takes to around town. My experience is that our traffic signals on major corridors, and noticeably on D Street are not adequately synchronized. We need to build an additional crosstown connector that is viable, in addition to adding bike lanes, so that we have an alternative to driving. And we need to take measures to create more walkable streetscapes. I will advocate for expanding the mixed-use character of our downtown along the boulevards so that we have small retail spaces on the street with workforce housing, office, and work spaces above up to five stories, stepped back from the street to keep the street pedestrian friendly.

Question:

What steps would you take to solve traffic congestion on Windsor, D Street, and adjoining streets now that commuters are using these streets to avoid 101 traffic?

To take any steps I will need to have data and more information to understand what the specific traffic congestion issues are on Windsor, D Street, and adjoining streets. Presumably the updated Draft EIR for the Davidon development will include an updated traffic study with potential mitigation measures to address the impacts to the Windsor and D Street intersection, at a minimum.

Question:

What is the number of homes (if any) that you think should be built on this property?

The number of homes allowed is dependent on the results of the updated environmental analysis.

Question:

Since 44 acres of the 58 acres will become part of Putnam Park, where on the remaining 14 acres should the 28 homes be located?

If 28 homes are to be located on 14 acres, I propose that they be sited where they will have minimal or no environmental impacts and require the least amount of infrastructure to access.

Question:

Given that Petaluma is already critically short of police, fire, and first responders, would the Davidon development help solve this problem? How would you solve this problem?

I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with our police and fire departments to know what “problems” exist for these critical entities whom we trust to keep us safe. We do need to upgrade their infrastructure to ensure they will be able to do their jobs following a disaster.

Question:

Are there net fiscal benefits to the proposed Davidon project? What are the potential costs to the city?

As with any housing development, the costs to the city are associated with the maintenance of the public infrastructure and providing public safety. The benefit is added housing units.

Question:

Should the Council permit Davidon to build on the portion of the land that is habitat for the threatened red-legged frog, which would mean its death or removal or could these houses be relocated to avoid this significant impact?

I am not familiar enough with the environmental analysis in regard to the red-legged frog to know.

Please contact D'Lynda Fischer with any questions about these statements:

dlyndaf@gmail.com