The state’s “builder’s remedy” is designed as a recourse for developers blocked from building affordable housing. But not everyone in Penngrove is on board with bypassing local control.
LYNDI BROWN
SONOMA COUNTY GAZETTE
3 minute read
Housing
Property owner Martin Sessi has applied to construct a 12-unit, three-story housing development — including three affordable units — between Penngrove Station and the Soap Cauldron building, adjacent to the historic Penngrove District. The project, known as Penngrove Station Apartments (DRH24-0005), includes a 1,384-square-foot retail space.
At a preliminary design review meeting on March 5, Penngrove advocates voiced serious concerns about the project’s impact on the area’s already limited parking and issues related to sewer capacity, solid waste management, easements, and emergency service access.
This development was submitted under Builder’s Remedy, a legal provision that allows expedited approval of high-density housing when a municipality fails to comply with state housing laws.
For more information, contact soapcauldron@sonic.net.
Traffic update
Supervisor David Rabbitt’s district director, Andrea Krout, provided this report. (Editor’s note: Some paraphrasing included.)
“Thank you for your patience as we work on short-term traffic calming solutions for Penngrove. Public Infrastructure has seen a major change in staffing in the last five months, so we are working within the constraints of that challenge. Deputy Director of Infrastructure Janice Thompson retired, and the department is down four senior engineer positions. Our focus remains on finding solutions for Penngrove.
Penngrove traffic study: As Supervisor Rabbitt promised, he plans to hold a town hall with the community and Penngrove Cares to discuss the traffic study. As you can see from the list below, short-term and midrange projects are underway, but we want to discuss the study findings with the community and hear feedback.
Radar/feedback signs: Feedback signs will be installed southbound on Petaluma Hill Road near Formschlag Lane; southbound on Petaluma Hill Road at the start of the school zone (which has been extended by 1,000 feet); and northbound on Old Redwood Highway before the Main Street intersection.
Instead of a radar feedback sign, the Old Redwood Highway location will have a flashing “Slow Down” sign. Staff evaluated radar feedback signs on Main Street in two locations. After speed data collection at the fire station curve, staff determined that a sign was not warranted.
Staff plans to wait until after a signal is installed at the Main Street path before reassessing the need for a radar sign near the motorcycle shop.
Supervisor Rabbitt has allocated $100,000 in district discretionary infrastructure funding to support the radar sign requests. The goal is to have them installed by mid to late spring.
Speed bump/table on Main Street: Staff evaluated adding a speed table on Main Street at the post office crosswalk. Staff noted that the current design with bulb-outs, the short crosswalk length, and signage already should slow traffic down. Staff proposes waiting to add any tables to Main Street after the new signal is added at the planned SMART path crossing. The signal will have a similar effect as a table and will slow/meter traffic on Main Street.
Intersection updates:
Adobe Road and Main Street: The project is paused as community consensus is still unclear on the proposed design. This will be revisited at the future town hall.
Ely Road and Old Redwood Highway: Design is underway, and staff is meeting with utilities to determine the right-of-way needed for the designs. After design comes environmental review and neighbor outreach.
Railroad Avenue and Old Redwood Highway: Design is underway, and staff is meeting with utilities to determine the right-of-way, followed by environmental review and neighbor outreach.
AB 43 speed limit evaluation: We are working with staff to evaluate two areas for speed limit changes:
Petaluma Hill Road southbound as you enter downtown
- Extending the 45 mph speed limit north on Old Redwood Highway to Penngrove Avenue
- A speed study will be needed on Old Redwood Highway, but the area on Petaluma Hill Road can be adjusted without a speed study.
SMART Pathway: The Petaluma-Penngrove section is well underway. The Penngrove-Rohnert Park section has been designed, but we are actively looking for funding for this section.
School crosswalk on Adobe Road: Our office is working with Petaluma City School District to coordinate the completion of the ramp and crosswalk on Adobe Road.”
See details at https://penngrovecares.org/updates/ and at https://www.visitpenngrove.com
Lyndi Brown is a Petaluma / Penngrove community volunteer. She was named Good Egg 2016 by Petaluma Downtown Association. She is an honorary Rear Admiral in the Petaluma Navy (not military: it’s an honorary title for promoting the City as a tourist destination. Active with Penngrove Social Firemen and Village Network of Petaluma, she needs a vacation. Email Lyndi at lyndibrown@sonic.net
