Happy Friday, Petaluma!
It’s a new year, and that means it’s the perfect time to take stock of our current projects and report back to you, our residents. Below you’ll find some updates about major initiatives, including the Downtown Housing & Economic Development Overlay, Rainier Avenue, and Kenilworth Park.
You can also find out how to book a virtual appointment with our Building & Planning Departments while their offices are under construction (although you can still visit our temporary location if you need to see someone in person).
Above all, we hope you stay warm and dry this January. We’ll see you in your inboxes next month!
Environmental Impact Review on the Way
Curious about what’s happening with the proposed Downtown Overlay and the EKN Appellation Hotel? After listening to community feedback, EKN has agreed to proceed with an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), both for their proposed hotel and a Downtown Housing & Economic Opportunity Overlay that proposes to create more redevelopment opportunities in key downtown corridors.
As lead agency, the City will be moving forward with an RFP (Request for Proposal) to select and directly manage the EIR consultant and oversee the environmental review process that will include a number of opportunities for public input. We expect this work to be completed by August 2024.
We hope the EIR will help the City and the community better understand the possible impacts of the hotel and the Overlay, and we look forward to sharing what we learn later this summer. For the most up to date information on the projects, please join the email subscriber list on our website HERE.
Kenilworth Park Drop-In Event
Saturday February 3rd, 10am
Join us to celebrate the redesign of Kenilworth Park. On Saturday, February 3rd we will be hosting a drop-in event for the community to come together, see the preliminary park design, and play! We need your feedback to guide the final design. Snacks, drinks, giveaways, and activities for kids will be provided.
We will be meeting in between the Petaluma Library and Teen Center. In the event of rain, the event will be held inside the Teen Center.
Keep an eye on cityofpetaluma.org/kenilworthpark for event details!
What’s Happening on Rainier Avenue?
Creating safer streets is a top priority for us at the City of Petaluma. Since September 2021, we have been seeking community input on ways to make Rainier Avenue safer. Rainer is scheduled to receive significant upgrades from North McDowell Blvd. to Sonoma Mountain Parkway in 2024. Upgrades will include:
- Replacement of water services (water pipes)
- Pavement restoration (repaving)
- Traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety upgrades
In August 2022, we installed a trial demonstration project on Rainier Ave. from N. McDowell Blvd. to Maria Drive, which includes temporary elements like paint and rubber barriers. This gave the community a chance to experience proposed changes to the road and provide feedback, and for us to gather important safety data. All of this helps inform the design of more permanent solutions.
Replacement of water services will begin in mid-February 2024. We will provide ample notice to neighbors regarding potential impacts. We have taken safety data and community feedback into account and will share our final roadway design in the spring of 2024, with road construction anticipated to begin later in the year.
Visit cityofpetaluma.org/rainierpaving to read about what we’ve seen and heard about the demonstration project, including the safety data we have gathered, details and timing for upcoming work, and to sign up to receive project updates.
Thank you for your patience as we work to make this important street the best it can be!
Book a Virtual Building or Planning Appointment
Heads up, Petaluma — the Building and Planning offices are undergoing some construction this spring and will be moving temporarily to a new space in City Hall. But if you don’t want to bother with our helpful navigation signage, why not book a virtual appointment with the Building or Planning Offices?
Visit our website HERE to book a 15 minute video call to share documents and speak with a City Planner. To speak with someone in our Building Department, click HERE.
Normalizing Safety: Gun Violence Prevention
January 28th, 2024 2-4pm
Lucchesi Center 320 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma
Join the Petaluma Branch of the American Association of University Women for a program about guns in our community. Let’s empower gun safety in Sonoma County, in our homes, in our schools and in our community.
Featured Speakers include Mike Thompson; Jared Huffman; John Maa, MD, FACS, (San Francisco Marin Medical Society); Heather Jennings (Moms Demand Action); Brian Miller, (Interim Petaluma Police Chief); Dr. Amie Carter (SCOE); Dr. Louis Ganzler (School Culture/Safety); Mia Vaughn (Youth advocate & SRJC student)
Childcare will be available. Learn more HERE.
Fix Leaks Now, Save Money Year-Round
Finding and fixing leaks during winter will help save on your sewer rates. Monthly wastewater rates for residents are based on the average amount of water used during the winter months or actual water usage, whichever is lower. An average resident uses two to three times more water in the summer with outdoor irrigation, washing cars or filling your swimming pool. So, wintertime is the best time to find and fix indoor water leaks so you can reduce your sewer rate.
Winter is also a great time to get familiar with your water meter, as the device calculates both your water bill and your sewer bill.
To learn more, visit: CityofPetaluma.org/WaterBill.
Sonoma County Restaurant Week
February 19th – 25th
Photo Credit: https://socorestaurantweek.org/
Get ready to indulge in a culinary adventure during Sonoma County Restaurant Week! From February 19th – 25th, some of the best local restaurants will be offering special menus and discounts for you to enjoy.
This is your chance to support the vibrant and diverse culinary scene of Sonoma County and taste the unique flavors that our local restaurants have to offer. By dining out during Restaurant Week, you’ll be supporting small businesses and helping to sustain our local economy.
AARP Tax-Aide in Petaluma
Tax season is coming up — but don’t worry, help is available! AARP Tax-Aide provides tax preparation to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. Appointments will be available on Mondays beginning February 5 at the Petaluma Community Center at 320 North McDowell Blvd.
Intake packets with complete information will be available at the Community Center, the Petaluma Library, and at the Petaluma Senior Center on Novak Drive, beginning January 16.
Taxpayers may pick up a packet, read the instructions and complete the forms, and then call to make an appointment for tax preparation. You can find more information HERE.
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.
Associate/Senior Civil Engineer
Part Time Special Projects Fire Inspector
Police Officer (Current Academy Attendees & Graduates)
Public Safety Dispatcher – Lateral
Senior Transit Planner (Grants Management) / Transit Planner II
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:
January 22, 6:30pm – City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting
January 23, 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
January 25, 6:00pm – Public Art Committee Meeting
January 29, 6:00pm – City Council/PCDSA Special Closed Meeting
January 31, 5:00pm – Measure U Oversight Committee Meeting
February 5, 6:30pm – City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting
Check for upcoming meetings, agendas, and how to participate on the City’s meeting webpage: https://cityofpetaluma.org/meetings/