HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL
Happy Friday! Spring is in the air, and we’ve noticed a profusion of flowers in gardens across the City. The bees are busy in Petaluma, and so are your City staff!
Want to join the fun? In this update, you’ll find lots of ways to get involved in your community in the next few weeks. Read below for more info on how to stay involved in our General Plan update, attend a meeting about the EKN Appellation Hotel Project’s environmental impact report, and volunteer as a member of a City Committee, Commission or Board!
And don’t forget to mark your calendar with community events from this weekend’s Antique Faire to the Cool Petaluma Expo later in May. There’s never a dull day in Petaluma. Thank YOU for making our community shine!
General Plan Update at City Council, April 29, and PlanFest, May 11
This Monday, join the City Council for a Workshop on the General Plan Update (Petaluma’s roadmap for growth in the years to come), including the 14 policy frameworks that will form the foundation of the Plan. You’ll also learn more about potential Land Use Alternatives and the Blueprint for Carbon Neutrality. The meeting starts at 6:30pm at City Hall (11 English Street, Petaluma) and can be viewed online via zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83204993631.
Then, join us in person for the all-community General Plan Fest on May 11, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. This family-friendly event will be held at the Petaluma Fairgrounds. You will have an opportunity to learn more about the Frameworks, speak with staff, and let us know what you think. There will be plenty of activities for kids, as well. Arrive early if you’d like to see animals leave the Fairgrounds at 10:00am as part of the Transhumance Festival! Click the link below to learn more: https://www.planpetaluma.org/may-11th.
EKN Appellation Hotel EIR Meeting, May 1
Wednesday, May 1, from 5:15-6:15PM
Petaluma Community Center
In January, we reported that the proposed EKN Appellation Hotel and related Downtown Housing & Economic Opportunity Overlay were being paused so that further studies could be done on the proposed hotel’s impacts on our downtown.
Last week, the City announced that we are preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to assess how the proposed hotel’s design fits in with our City’s aesthetic character and cultural history.
We are now inviting community members to offer comments and guidance on the proposed scope of the EIR. Currently, this EIR will look at the visual impact of the revised hotel design and how the overlay might affect the character of our downtown. An earlier “Initial Study” assessed potential impacts on our natural environment, housing, utilities, and more (read the Initial Study HERE).
The Planning Division will have a public meeting on Wednesday, May 1, from 5:15-6:15PM to get more information and comments from public agencies and the general public about the Draft EIR. The meeting will be held at the Petaluma Community Center, Conference Room #2, at 320 North McDowell Boulevard, Petaluma.
Comments on the scope of the EIR will be accepted from Friday, April 12 through Monday, May 13, 2024. Learn more at our website HERE.
New Mobilehome FAQs for Landlords and Residents
Last week the City added a new FAQ document to our website to help landlords and residents better understand the updated Mobilehome Ordinance passed in 2023. Want to learn more about how this ordinance might affect you or someone you know? Read the detailed English document HERE or the Spanish version HERE. You can also visit cityofpetaluma.org/mobilehomes for additional resources.
OAK HILL WELL UPDATE
We’ve got good news along with a schedule change to share with you.
The good news: Our pre-construction checklist is complete, and we are all set to begin construction on the new Oak Hill Well.
The schedule change: While we had planned to begin construction in April, due to an unforeseen scheduling issue, construction is now scheduled to begin in mid-May.
The rest of the plan remains the same:
- Well construction is expected to last 4-6 weeks (with approximately 5 days of actual drilling)
- Sound walls will be constructed around the entire construction site to reduce noise
- Questions or concerns? Contact Dan: [email protected], 707-778-4589
Thank you for bearing with us as we navigate the wild world of well construction to create this important emergency water resource for our community.
To learn more, please visit: cityofpetaluma.org/oakhillwell.
Apply for a Committee, Commission or Board this May
Applications to be a part of Petaluma’s Committees, Commissions, and Boards (CCBs) open May 8!
These groups play a critical role in providing valuable oversight to City operations and informing the decision-making process. Through their work, the CCBs review and make recommendations on key issues, provide valuable feedback on proposed policies and projects, and help to build strong relationships between the City and the community.
CCBs usually meet once per month and are made up of community members who volunteer their time and expertise to help guide and inform City operations. We are looking for applicants who bring a diverse range of perspectives and experience to the table, helping to ensure the City’s decisions are equitable and representative of the needs and interests of the community. You do not need to have experience working with city government — all are welcome to apply!
Learn more about our CCBs, including job duties and meeting times, at cityofpetaluma.org/ccbs. Applications open May 8 for all open seats.
Downtown Parklet Survey
Don’t forget to fill out our downtown parklets survey!
In response to COVID-era restrictions on indoor dining, the city launched a pilot program called Free Range, which repurposed public parking spaces into places for our community to gather, support local restaurants, and connect through food. Now, we’re asking for your feedback on the future of Parklets in Petaluma’s downtown.
Click the link below to take our survey before it closes on the 28th!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5HWDTT2
Petaluma Tree Fest
Saturday, April 27, from 11am-3pm
Prince Park
Join the City of Petaluma’s Tree Advisory Committee along with ReLeaf and other community partners for a celebration of Earth and Arbor Days!
Enjoy food, music, and art activities while you learn from local tree experts about the future of Petaluma’s urban forest. Then we will get hands-on and help our volunteers protect a beautiful landmark oak tree! This is a family-friendly event for all ages.
The Petaluma Spring Antique Faire
Sunday, April 28, from 8 am – 4 pm
Kentucky Street
Antique and collectible lovers throughout the Bay Area are welcome to come, browse, and shop the 38th Annual Petaluma Antique Faire this Spring. Admission is free.
“The Bay Area’s Premier Antique Center,” Historic Downtown Petaluma, will transform into an antique marketplace. Amid the beautiful historic buildings, one-of-a-kind stores, and an incredible array of restaurants and cafes, guests can find an incomparable selection of affordable antiques from over 200 dealers. The show has a nice variety of estate jewelry, linens, furniture, art, kitchenware, vintage décor, books, and all kinds of unusual collectibles to suit everyone’s budget.
This show attracts over 8,000 discerning collectors as well as first-time buyers wishing to collect and invest in real antiques.
Petaluma River Cleanup
Saturday, May 4, from 9am – 1pm
Steamer Landing Park
Join us for the Spring Petaluma River Cleanup! Dive into action with Friends of the Petaluma River as we come together to make a positive impact on our environment. This event is about more than just about cleaning up; it’s about community, connection, and conservation. By volunteering, you’ll be contributing to the health and beauty of the Petaluma River, ensuring a cleaner, safer habitat for wildlife and enjoyment for all. Whether you’re a seasoned environmental enthusiast or looking for a meaningful way to spend your day, this cleanup is for you.
Bring your friends, family, or come solo – every hand makes a difference. Let’s roll up our sleeves, grab some gloves, and make a splash for a cleaner, greener future. Sign up HERE and be a part of something truly special!
Bike to School Day, May 8
Celebrate Sonoma County Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 8! Safe Routes to School, our partner org, has some great resources on how to start and lead a bike train plus helpful safety tips to get the whole family ready to ride safe. Learn more at https://sonomasaferoutes.org/.
Volunteer Opportunities with Daily Acts
Join Daily Acts for two upcoming volunteer days at Miwok Park and Miwok Elementary. You’ll help our community and natural environment by adding pollinator-friendly plants to our landscape.
Miwok Park Planting: Friday, May 10th, from 1pm – 5pm
Together, we’ll be planting nearly 1,000 plants that will transform Miwok Park into a haven of beauty and biodiversity. Please register to help us best prepare: https://dailyacts.org/events-cal/planting-day-at-miwok-park/
Miwok School Planting: Saturday, May 18th, from 9am – 2pm
We invite you to come help plant a pollinator hedgerow that will provide food and habitat for our local pollinators to flourish! Register at the link below: https://dailyacts.org/events-cal/planting-day-at-miwok-valley-charter-school/
3rd Annual Cool Petaluma Expo!
Tuesday, May 21, from 5-8pm
Petaluma Fairgrounds
Cool Petaluma, in partnership with the City of Petaluma, welcome you all to our third annual Expo! We are excited to bring you face-to-face with the amazing local resources our community has to offer as we continue on our journey to becoming more resilient and more planet-friendly, block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood.
This year will be bigger and better than ever, with a NEW live stage for demonstrations and mini-workshops! It is going to be a fantastic evening for connecting and sharing. Please join us and bring your friends and neighbors. Everyone is invited to check out this FREE event!
LEARN MORE & RSVP: https://www.coolpetaluma.org/expo2024.
JOIN OUR PETALUMA TEAM!
The City of Petaluma is looking for talented people to join our team! Please click the links below for more information about our open positions. CLICK HERE for a full list of career opportunities.
Police Officer (Current Academy Attendees and Graduates)
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The City of Petaluma is hard at work for our community. Please check out our upcoming meetings and click on the links below for more information:
April 29, 5:00pm – City Council/PCDSA Special Meeting
May 1, 6:30pm – Joint Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory and Transit Committee Meeting
May 2, 6:00pm – Airport Commission Meeting
May 6, 6:30pm – City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting
May 7, 1:30pm – Measure U Oversight Committee Meeting
May 7, 4:00pm – Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee Meeting
May 9, 9:00am – Senior Advisory Committee Meeting
May 9, 4:00pm – Transit Advisory Committee Meeting
May 9, 6:30pm – Climate Action Commission Meeting
May 14, 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Check for upcoming meetings, agendas, and how to participate on the City’s meeting webpage: https://cityofpetaluma.org/meetings/.