Planning Commission Meeting

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

7 p.m.

The Planning Commission meeting will not be physically open to the public and all Commissioners will be teleconferencing into the meeting via Zoom.

The agenda for the Planning Commission hearing is available at the following link:

https://petaluma.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=31&event_id=45787

Members of public may provide written public comment by emailing to the Clerk at eellis@cityofpetaluma.org up to two hours prior to the meeting start (August 9, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.).

Members of the public can observe and/or participate in the meeting by visiting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/92675719213

How to Watch on TV: Petaluma Community Access broadcasts on Comcast and Petaluma’s local channel 28. With AT&T U-Verse, PCA’s channels are accessible through channel 099. Local channels are not currently available on Satellite/DISH Networks.

Write to the Planning Commissioners and let them know about your concerns about this development.

List of Planning Commission Members and Email Addresses

Environmental issues to consider

Link to the RDEIR and FEIR documents:

https://cityofpetaluma.org/scott-ranch/

Ask yourself if you willing to support a project that:

Follow the links to read about our assessments

Do 28 houses, which range from 2,400 square feet to 3,200 square feet, meet the current goals for housing needs of Petaluma? The 28 houses of $1+ are in the Above Market category of Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RNHA). The Above Moderate category is currently 396% of RHNA.

Does it matter that by adding 28 homes at Windsor and D plus the parking lots for Helen Putnam Park will increase the VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) will become permanently significant and unavoidable? The VMT cannot be mitigated by Davidon—nor the city. If the City approves this development, it is sending the community a clear message that worsening traffic and increasing greenhouse gases are acceptable.

Kelly Creek Protection Project (KCPP) has alerted the public about the current problems facing this pristine piece of property yet fails to mention that their partner, who has owned the land since 2003, has done nothing to fix or abate any of the issues raised by KCPP. One partner (KCPP) tells the public one thing and the other, the one with the final say (Davidon), continues to let the land be abused. Whom do we believe?

What will happen to the red-legged frog (federally listed as a Threatened species and a California Species of Special Concern) and all the other species now living on this land? The biological studies support that this land is critical habitat for 90 species of vertebrate wildlife, 17 of which are special status. This project severely limits and in some cases destroys safe animal corridors.

Increases water usage during severe drought conditions. The City of Petaluma is now in Stage 4 of water emergency. Water will be necessary to support these proposed new housing units. The drought and water supply should be part of the analysis.

Identified by the City as a very large wildland urban interface (WUI) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). Houses will be built in this high-risk fire area. According to the City, 2,466 population is at risk from wildfire

Consider speaking at the meeting

Here are some tips:

With so many people wishing to comment, it is likely that each person will be limited to 2 minutes

If you haven’t attended a meeting via Zoom, practice in advance. Attend a meeting to become familiar with the process by which you raise your hand during a 30 second count down in order to be included in public comment.

Alternative vision for this land

We are very fortunate to have a community of caring environmentalists. David Donnenfield is an award-winning producer, director, and cinematographer who lives in Petaluma. David has created an exciting alternative vision for the land.

David Donnenfield's Alternative Vision