15-Minute Neighborhoods

In-Person Event on June 14, 2023!
Read the SDAT Report
Committee Members

In August 2022, a team of architects, landscape architects, and other professionals visited Petaluma as volunteers under the Sustainable Design Assessment Team program of the American Institute of Architects.  Their task was to review the opportunity and to write a report on the local possibility of 15-minute neighborhoods, a land-use concept that puts more destinations of daily life within walkable or bikeable distance from homes.

A 15-minute is more than a handful of new buildings.  It is revised zoning to permit the new uses.  It is a revised approach to street design to make walking and biking more comfortable.  It is a commitment to street trees to make walking and visiting with neighbors more comfortable.  It is a multi-faceted implementation which must be fully coordinated for the 15-minute concept to work. 

The August 2022 visit which was the culmination of three-year pandemic-delayed process after the SDAT grant application, written by a team of local residents and City staff, was approved.

Many Urban Chat members played key roles in the application, extended coordination during the pandemic, and 2022 visit.  Now, with the focus turning toward implementation, the 15-minute neighborhood will become a committee of Urban Chat.  Every aspect of 15-minute neighborhoods aligns with the Urban Chat mission statement, so it's a logical next step.

The 15-minute neighborhood team has assembled a presentation that is being shared with City bodies and community groups.

Veronica Olsen will continue her three years of leadership by becoming the committee chair.  If you want to assist with this climate-friendly effort or if you have a group that would like to see the presentation, email Veronica at veronicaolsen @ urbanchat.org.