HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL
Hi there, Petaluma!
With fall on the horizon, we’re bringing you big updates this week — and today’s email has something for everyone!
Feeling Green? Grab a reusable purple cup and settle in! Petaluma has a new Climate Action Manager, ReLeaf is offering free trees, and you’ll want to sign up below to help with the Lynch Creek Trail Beautification Day on Sept. 14.
Interested in urban planning? We’ve got updates below on the EKN Appellation Hotel and Overlay project, plus info on two upcoming Workshops on the soon-to-be-released Land Use Framework for Petaluma’s General Plan Update.
Hoping to get out and about this weekend? We’ve launched two new public art projects just this month, and we invite you to check them out to see for yourself.
Thanks for reading, Petaluma, and have a great weekend!
DOWNTOWN HOUSING & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY OVERLAY AND APPELLATION PETALUMA HOTEL UPDATE
The city has now completed a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for both projects, which is available for public review and comment from now until Oct. 7, 2024. The report can be found at our website HERE.
Based on the environmental analysis completed by the city in 2023 and the public input provided during the EIR scoping meeting earlier this year, the DEIR looked at three aspects of the proposed projects: Aesthetics, Cultural Resources & Tribal Resources, and Land Use & Planning, in addition to Project Alternatives and Cumulative Impacts. This draft report builds off the city’s environmental analysis completed last year that includes all other environmental impacts, like air quality, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions. This initial study is also included as an Appendix to the DEIR.
You can learn more about the EIR and its findings at two upcoming meetings, where you can also submit public comments:
Tues., Sept. 24, 6pm (in-person only)
Joint Planning Commission + Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee Meeting
City Hall (11 English Street)
Mon., Oct. 7, 6:30pm (in-person to comment, virtually for viewing only)
City Council Meeting
City Hall (11 English Street) or via Zoom
Click HERE to visit our meetings page and access the Zoom link once the meeting packet has been posted.
To submit public comments about the EIR, call or email Olivia Ervin, Principal Environmental Planner, at [email protected] or 707-778-4556.
To learn more about the proposed Downtown Housing & Economic Overlay and EKN Appellation Hotel, visit our webpage HERE. To find meeting details and agendas once they are posted, visit cityofpetaluma.org/meetings.
SAVE THE DATE: GENERAL PLAN LAND USE WORKSHOPS
Next up in the General Plan Update Process is the release of the Land Use Policy Framework!
The land use framework defines how and where the city will evolve over the next 20 years including where we live, how we travel, where our schools are, and where we shop and get services—to meet various goals such as housing affordability, economic vitality, and sustainability. The Draft Land Use Policy Framework is one of the fourteen Policy Frameworks that outlines the proposed General Plan goals, policies, and suggests actions for each topic that will be addressed in the General Plan.
During the month of September, we will be holding pop-up events throughout our community to share the draft Land Use Framework and receive feedback. Additionally, there will be two Land Use Workshops for the entire community to learn more about the Framework and share their thoughts.
Sat., Sept. 21, 5-8 p.m.
The Petaluma Fairgrounds
Beverly C. Wilson Building
100 Fairgrounds Drive
Weds., Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Petaluma Community Center
320 N. McDowell Blvd
Visit our website HERE to check out the Land Use Policy framework, learn of upcoming events and get involved in the General Plan process. Petaluma is shaping its future and that future includes you!
WASHINGTON STREET PAVING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY AUG. 26 & TUESDAY AUG. 27
Heads up, Petaluma! We are scheduled to pave Washington Street on the west side of the Highway 101 overpass (the side closer to the Fairgrounds), between the southbound on/off ramps and the freeway overpass. The work will occur overnight Monday, August 26 and Tuesday, August 27, from 7pm to 5am.
During this time, the traffic signal will be in “flash mode” and should be treated as a 4-way stop. The contractor will still provide access through the area while construction is occurring. We will do everything we can to minimize impacts to traffic, however delays should be expected.
D STREET TRAFFIC CALMING PILOT PROJECT INSTALLATION IS UNDERWAY
Have you noticed anything different about D Street lately? Our team has been hard at work installing the D Street Traffic Calming Pilot Project. Since installation began last week, we’ve fielded some great questions and feedback from the community. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share your thoughts, as it is valuable and essential to the success of the pilot project.
While the layout is largely complete, there are some minor additions and refinements that we will be making in the coming days. As we always do with street improvement projects, we are working with the contractor to make improvements based upon your feedback and observations staff have made in the field. These adjustments will help make the new roadway operations more intuitive, while further enhancing the project’s goals to improve safety for all road users by slowing traffic, improving sight distance, and providing safer crosswalks.
CHANGED CONDITION AT 5TH & D: Please note, this week we installed a “traffic diverter” at the intersection of 5th and D Streets which prohibits left turns from D onto 5th and left turns from 5th onto D, as well as prevents crossing D St. on 5th. This new condition will help to slow vehicle speeds, reduce collisions, and improve crossings for people on foot and bikes at this historically high collision intersection. We understand it will take some getting used to and are alerting road users via “Changed Conditions” signs in the area.
To learn more about the project, provide feedback, and/or sign up for project updates, please visit: cityofpetaluma.org/dstreetpilotproject.
WELCOME DEB FOX AS PETALUMA’S CLIMATE ACTION MANAGER
The City of Petaluma is thrilled to announce the appointment of Deb Fox as Petaluma’s next Climate Action Manager, a key city position that had been vacant since January. Deb served as the Director of Collaborations & Operations at Cool Petaluma, where she has worked since 2021.
“We are really looking forward to adding Deb’s experience, energy and enthusiasm to our high-performing team,” said City Manager Peggy Flynn. “We are fortunate to have her as Petaluma’s next Climate Action Manager, supporting our climate-ready future by doing what she does best – connecting people and making climate action relatable.”
Deb is a local Petaluma resident and a mom of a Casa Grande freshman. She has a B.S. in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and is the daughter of a retired Army Colonel and cattle rancher, although she now rides a bicycle instead of a horse. Prior to her work at Cool Petaluma, Deb worked for the City of Boulder’s Local Environmental Action Division as a Data and Contract Manager and served as the Energy Division Director for the Center for Resource Conservation.
FINE BALANCE IS ALMOST COMPLETE
We are excited to announce that the artist, Brian Goggin, has nearly completed the installation of Fine Balance at the H Street Pocket Park near Foundry Wharf. The two bathtub figures are now firmly standing and the artist is focusing on the finishing touches. We are grateful to Brian Goggin, volunteers and staff that have worked to bring this project home to the emerging arts district along the Petaluma River.
In the coming weeks, we will be teaming up with Rebuilding Together Petaluma to refresh the park, address conditions and prepare the location for a big reveal on September 8th. Join us from 6:30PM to 8:30PM at 1 H Street for light refreshments, whimsy and celebration! All are welcome!
NEW PUBLIC ART AT THE PETALUMA FAIRGROUNDS!
You may have noticed that the Fairgrounds has a new addition, “The True Heart of Petaluma. Ode to the Fairgrounds #1” created by Petaluma artist Michael Garlington. The 120-foot-long photo mural features portraits of 118 Petalumans with ties to our historic Fairgrounds and was commissioned by the City to honor the Fairgrounds’ central role in Petaluma’s past, present, and future.
We are truly grateful to the artist and especially the 150+ Petalumans – human and animal – who graciously participated in the photography project that served as the foundation for the mural. Your love of the Fairgrounds and your belief in this special property as a community hub strengthens Petaluma for everyone.
Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement about a celebration of the artwork and you!
LYNCH CREEK TRAIL BEAUTIFICATION DAY
Join Rebuilding Together Petaluma and the City of Petaluma for a volunteer day at the Lynch Creek Trail! We’ll be giving our greenest cross-town connector a makeover just in time for autumnal strolls and bike rides, from Water Street to S. McDowell Blvd.
When: Sat., Sept. 14, 8:30 a.m – 2 p.m.
Where: Meet at the Lynch Creek Trail at Payran Street
Volunteers are needed to help with a range of jobs, including weed abatement, tree trimming, painting, graffiti removal, pressure washing, and debris pickup and loading. Coffee and muffins will be provided in the morning, and a burrito lunch will follow at 1pm. We encourage volunteers to walk, bike, or take public transit as parking at the Trail and Payran is limited.
Visit the page HERE to register. Additional information will be provided before the event.
RELEAF RESIDENTIAL TREE PROGRAM
We plant. You water.
ReLeaf Petaluma, Cool Petaluma, and the City of Petaluma have teamed up to offer FREE native trees to Petaluma residents.
The City of Petaluma received $1 million from the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program for a tree-planting initiative called the Petaluma Canopy Project which is funding this fantastic new Residential Tree Program.
Getting your trees is easy. Sign up for an onsite tree consultation. A ReLeaf tree expert will help you choose the best tree species for your location. Trained ReLeaf volunteers will plant the tree(s) and offer care consultations for up to 3 years. You provide the water. That’s it!
Why natives? Native trees cool our homes and neighborhoods, while providing habitat for local bees, butterflies and birds. If you are interested in free trees for your yard or in the street strip, learn more and sign up here: https://www.coolpetaluma.org/canopy-project.
USDA, City of Petaluma, ReLeaf Petaluma, and Cool Petaluma are equal opportunity providers and employers.
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.
Police Officer (Current Academy Attendees and Graduates)
Public Safety Dispatcher – Lateral
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:
Aug 27, 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Aug 28, 6:00pm – Public Safety Advisory Committee Meeting
Sep 3, 4:00pm – Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee Meeting
Sep 4, 6:30pm – Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting
Sep 9, 6:30pm – City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting
Sep 10, 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Check for upcoming meetings, agendas, and how to participate on the City’s meeting webpage: https://cityofpetaluma.org/meetings/.