Community Update for May 23, 2025

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ PARA ESPAÑOL

Summer is almost here, Petaluma, and we hope you enjoy a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

With lazier days on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to grab your favorite iced beverage and type up your application for one of Petaluma’s Committees, Commissions, and Boards! Read below for information on vacancies and how to apply.

This issue also contains information on the Downtown Overlay and what comes next, plus the music lineup for the Petaluma Fair, coming June 19-22! You can also learn more about the upcoming Rainier Ave Safety Improvements meeting, and the Proposed FY25-26 Budget.

Finally, here in City Government, May is a time to celebrate our incredible staff! We want to wish a very Happy Affordable Housing Month, Bike Month, Building Safety Month, Wildfire Awareness Month, Public Works Week, and Police Week to our amazing team. We are so grateful for your service in keeping our community safe, healthy, and housed!

Overlay Walking Tours and Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who attended this week’s walking tours of the Downtown Housing & Economic Development Overlay and Community Development Office Hours! The conversations and thoughtful questions on each of the tours, from opponents and supporters and everyone in between, gave your City staff the opportunity to hear from residents in person, correct misinformation, and talk more about how decisions are made about our beloved Downtown.

For those of you who were not able to attend, some of the main points that the groups covered are below:

The Overlay now applies only to two downtown blocks between B St and D St, from Petaluma Blvd N to 4th Street (from Rex Hardware to the former Walnut Grill).
The Overlay will expire when new zoning under the 2050 General Plan is adopted.
The Overlay allows – but does not require – the City Council and community to consider proposals that exceed current height and lot coverage rules.
Building height is still capped at 45’, but projects offering community benefits may be approved up to 75’ through special review.
Lot coverage up to 100% is possible, with step backs required on taller buildings to reduce visual impact.
The Overlay does not require property sales, demolitions, or taller construction.
It does not override historic guidelines, eliminate approvals or CEQA review, change parking rules, approve the proposed hotel, or conflict with the General Plan Update.

So what comes next? While the Overlay has been approved by City Council, the Appellation Petaluma Hotel Project has not yet been approved. There is still time for the public to attend presentations on the project and to learn more. Because of the enthusiastic response we received around the Overlay Walking Tours, we’ll be hosting more opportunities for engagement on the Hotel project in the coming months as well – stay tuned for more information! Meanwhile, you can check out the Downtown Overlay page HERE and visit the EKN Appellation Petaluma Hotel project page HERE.

And if you’re passionate about urban planning or historic preservation, why not apply for the Planning Commission or the Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee? Applications are due May 29, and you can learn more below!

Teamwork in Action: Join a Petaluma Commission, Committee, or Board

Want to influence the conversation in Petaluma? Join a Committee, Commission, or Board!

Our commissions, committees, and boards (CCBs) bring together passionate community members to help shape Petaluma’s future. By joining a CCB, you become part of a collaborative team working for the good of our entire city.

There are many ways to get involved! Current openings include groups focused on senior services, traffic and bike safety, planning and development, parks, the airport, groundwater, historic & cultural preservation, urban forestry, public transit, Measure U oversight, and public art. Whatever your passion, there’s a place for you!

CCBs welcome diverse perspectives and create real impact. Together, we build community, solve problems, and make Petaluma an even better place to live. Your efforts bring joy, color, and identity to our city.

This is One Petaluma in action. Apply today!

Petaluma Fair: Petaluma’s Soundtrack to Summer

Turn up the volume—the Petaluma Fair will offer four days of music that hit every note! Check out the line-up below to plan your visit to the Fair, and buy tickets now to get the best early bird pricing!

Thursday

DJ SEVA kicks things off with high-energy dance vibes
Erica Ambrin & the Eclectic Soul Project bring soulful grooves
Pride & Joy deliver timeless pop and soul hits

Friday

David Luning opens the day with modern Americana
Ellie James blends indie-pop with danceable rock
Train Wreck Junction brings floor-filling country tunes
Mitch Polzak rocks with rockabilly and honky-tonk flair

Saturday

Play Marimba showcases local talent from PCS and beyond
California Repercussions bring bold brass energy
Hubbub Club adds global street-band flavor
Black Sheep Brass mixes jazz, ska, and punk
The Pinball Wizards pay rocking tribute to The Who
ILLEAGLES soar with faithful, high-octane Eagles hits infused with fresh stage presence

Sunday

Erupcion Oaxaquena is a vibrant group that lights up the stage with their infectious cumbia rhythms
Banda La Congora is a high-energy Sinaloan group
Banda Los PTB captures the essence of Oaxacan tradition
Traviezos de la Costa is a small, spirited group from Guerrero

Don’t miss a beat—this year’s NEW 4-day pass is the best deal! Early bird pricing ends May 25, so get your tickets today!

You’re Invited: Rainier Avenue Safety Improvements Meeting

In August of 2022, we installed the Rainier Avenue Traffic Calming & Safety pilot project in an effort to decrease traffic speeds and increase safety. During this time, we were able to gather important safety data and community feedback. Thank you for your patience and input throughout this process.

We are committed to working with you as we take the next steps toward permanent improvements aimed at enhancing safety and accessibility for everyone. Please join us for a neighborhood meeting in which we will:

Review data collected during the pilot project, including community feedback and safety data.
Present a draft of our proposed final roadway design, including adjustments made in response to community concerns.
Share information and answer questions about upcoming utility work that will take place prior to paving.
Provide overview of the anticipated construction schedule. Construction is currently expected to begin in August 2025.

Meeting Details:

Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd.

For more details, and to see the recommended design, please visit: cityofpetaluma.org/rainierpaving.

Shaping Petaluma’s Future: Proposed 2025-26 Budget in Review

At the May 12 City Council meeting, City staff shared the proposed 2025–26 Operating and Capital Budgets, totaling $348.1 million, with $76.9 million set aside for capital projects across Petaluma. The budget focuses on priorities that matter to our community, including housing development, climate action, economic growth, expanded parks and programming, and advancing the vision for the City-owned fairgrounds. The General Fund is proposed at $80.4 million, a modest 1.9% increase to keep pace with rising costs and maintain high-quality services, with revenue projections expected to cover expenses. Council members discussed areas of investment aligned with community and sustainability goals, emphasizing organizational development and long-term planning.

This proposed budget represents continued momentum in building a vibrant, resilient Petaluma that reflects our shared values and future needs.

Next Steps: The City Council will vote on the adoption of the FY 2025–26 Budget at the June 2 Council meeting. Find out how to attend at cityofopetaluma.org/meetings. Read the full Proposed Budget document at https://cityofpetaluma.org/city-budgets.

Your Measure U Dollars at Work

Thanks to your support of Measure U, Petaluma continues to thrive!

In their recent Measure U Annual Report for 2023-24, the Measure U Oversight Committee highlights how this local sales tax is funding essential services—from fire protection and emergency response to road repairs, public safety, and community well-being. Since Measure U’s passage, the City has used these vital funds to stabilize staffing, enhance services, and launch capital projects, including major improvements to our streets and roads. A $20 million bond helped jumpstart repairs citywide, improving our pavement condition and quality of life.

Together, we’re proud of the progress made, and with your continued support, we’re optimistic about investing in a stronger, safer, and more connected Petaluma.

Interested in helping to guide the City’s decisions in how Measure U Funds are spent? Join the Measure U Oversight Committee, accepting applications now through May 29! Learn more at our website HERE.