February 20, 2023
Greetings & Thoughts
A change to our weekly update format and a KBYG cancelation
Hey, there’s a different format this week! In a continuing effort to make this missive more useful to our rapidly growing readership, Urban Chat has moved some of the meeting information, including links, to the calendar tab on the Urban Chat website. As with any change, there will be bugs to work out and new capacities to optimize, so let us/me know of any thoughts you have.
Nor will this be the only change. Another may head your way as early as next Monday.
To balance this hopefully good news, I also have bad news. The plans for our Know Before You Grow reboot this coming Wednesday didn’t come together as we’d hoped. So that forum has been canceled. Instead, we’ll reboot on Wednesday, March 8.
We’ll still kick off with a housing topic, specifically the structure that a European country uses to address homelessness. It’s a much different approach than used in the U.S. I was in the audience when this forum was first presented by SPUR. I found it thought-provoking. Even if different ideas can’t be easily implemented, learning how others have tackled similar opportunities differently can unleash creativity. Further details will be provided in upcoming emails from KBYG.
As a closing note, in response to my query last week, I’ve learned the identities of the other two local StrongTowns members. Both are readers of this email who hadn’t yet thought to advise me of their support for StrongTowns. Although nothing has yet been scheduled, we’re talking about plans to meet in person this spring. If you’d like to be at that table, there’s still time to join StrongTowns.
Questions or comments? Let me know. – Dave Alden 707-338-8388
P.S. If you wish to be removed from this email list, or have folks to add, let me know.
Calendar Notes
See our new monthly calendar here!
Upcoming Meetings
All events are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to participate in person or on-line.
Wednesday, February 22 – Petaluma Technology Advisory Committee
The Technology Committee will receive a presentation from the City Engineer on the technology in local traffic signals.
In my experience, traffic signals are a frequent source of local controversy, with many contending that improved programming could reduce traffic. From my professional experience, I’m aware of the extensive efforts of the City to optimize traffic through signal programming. I also believe that the Petaluma street pattern, the result of the local agricultural history and the river, limits what can be accomplished through signal timing. I’ll watch to learn if the City Engineer confirms my understanding.
The meeting will convene at 7:00pm. Other information is provided on the Urban Chat calendar.
Thursday, February 23 – Petaluma Urban Chat
The monthly meeting of Urban Chat is almost always agenda-free, allowing an enjoyable and enlightening conversation to wander freely over the urbanist landscape.The conversation will commence at noon. Other information is provided on the Urban Chat calendar.
Monday, February 27 – Petaluma City Council
For the warm-up act, the Council will consider a proposed agreement between the City and SMART regarding the future Corona SMART station.
While this station and the development around it could be an important element of Petaluma’s future, as discussed during the Council meeting last week when applying for a grant from MTC for a Specific Plan was approved, much of the attention at the Council meeting will be focused on the Scott Ranch hearing.
For those new to Petaluma, Scott Ranch has been roiling local politics for fifteen years. After extended negotiations involving the City and local advocacy groups, the proposed size and unit count of the project have been greatly reduced with much of the site becoming an expansion to Helen Putnam Park. Regardless, many remain convinced that any development at all is unacceptable. It will likely be a contentious hearing that will last long into the evening.
The public portion of the meeting is expected to convene at 6:30pm. Other meeting information will be provided on the Urban Chat calendar when published by the City.
Thursday, March 16 – Petaluma General Plan Advisory Committee
The General Plan Advisory Committee will convene for their monthly meeting. The meeting topic hasn’t yet been announced.The meeting will convene at 6:30pm. Other meeting information will be provided on the Urban Chat calendar when published by the City.
