April 10, 2023
Greetings & Thoughts
A well-filled week and new directions
This week abruptly filled up. Below, look for details on meetings that will touch upon downtown bicycle racks, the proposed downtown hotel, possible east-side bicycle improvements, annual goals for transit, and fifteen-minute neighborhoods. For those who want to stay well-informed, there will be a surfeit of opportunities.
Urban Chat has also been busy, looking at more ways to improve our community and to bring more people into the effort. As further explained on our Committees page, three new groups are on their way to joining Know Before You Grow as Urban Chat committees.
The focuses of the new committees will be an urbanism film fest in late summer or early fall, a push toward facilitating fifteen-minute neighborhoods as the General Plan proceeds and updates to the zoning code are begun, and encouragement for more and better maintained public restrooms as a necessity for a less car-dependent community.
This is a great time to be a part of Urban Chat. If you want to play a role, reach out to me or to any of the committee contacts listed.
Questions or comments? Let me know. – Dave Alden 707-338-8388
P.S. New folks can be added to this conversation here.
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 online.
Tuesday, April 11 (Tomorrow) – Petaluma Historical and Cultural Preservation Committee
Among other agenda items, the HCPC will review possible bicycle rack options for compatibility with the downtown historic district.
The meeting will convene at 4:00pm. Other meeting information, including the agenda, is on the Urban Chat calendar.
Wednesday, April 12 (This week)– EKN Development Group
EKN will host a public gathering to view their proposed Appellation Petaluma hotel (Hotel Weaver). This would be the hotel at the corner of Petaluma Boulevard South and B Street.
The meeting will begin at 4:30pm. The meeting is noted on the Urban Chat calendar. Reservations are requested and can be made here.
Wednesday, April 12 (This week) – Petaluma Public Works
Public Works will host a Zoom workshop on proposed improvements to Garfield Drive. At least one Urban Chat member has asked about including more bicycle facilities in the project.
The meeting will begin at 6:00pm. Other meeting information is on the Urban Chat calendar including a link to a City webpage that provides the Zoom link.
Thursday, April 13 (This week) - Petaluma Transit Advisory Committee
Among other agenda items, the Transit Committee will discuss goals for 2023/24 as Petaluma Transit looks to play a role in the move to carbon neutrality.
The meeting will convene at 4:00pm. Other meeting information will be on the Urban Chat calendar when published by the City.
Thursday, April 13 (This week) – Petaluma Climate Action Commission
Among other agenda items, the Climate Commission will receive a presentation by the local team that has been advocating for fifteen-minute neighborhoods (an effort that is in the process of becoming an Urban Chat committee) and also consider endorsing the 2023 goals proposed to the City Council by Urban Chat.
The meeting will convene at 6:30pm. Other meeting information is on the Urban Chat calendar.
Monday, April 17 – Petaluma City Council
The tentative agenda includes a Tenants Protection ordinance, an agreement with SMART for the upcoming Corona station, changes to water conservation standards after the wet winter, and a contract for an Independent Police Auditor.
The public portion of the meeting will convene at 6:30pm. Other meeting information will be on the Urban Chat calendar when published by the City.
Thursday, April 20 – Petaluma General Plan Advisory Committee
This would have been the monthly GPAC meeting, but the meeting has been postponed as the intended topics, sea level rise and flooding risk, weren’t ready to be shared. The meeting will likely be moved to May, with the possibility of a Saturday meeting.
Information on the rescheduled meeting will be provided om the Urban Chat calendar when published by the City.
Wednesday, April 26 – Know Before You Grow
The speaker isn’t yet confirmed but Know Before You Grow is hopeful of offering a land-use update that will interest many.
The forum will begin at 7:00pm. Further information will be provided as soon as possible on the Urban Chat calendar.
Thursday, April 27 – 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 most recent meeting was well-attended and full of spirited conversation.
The exchange of ideas will commence at noon. Other information is provided on the Urban Chat calendar.
Saturday, April 29 – Petaluma Age Friendly
Age Friendly will host a grand opening for the newly installed chess tables near the east end of the Balshaw Bridge. In addition to chess instruction, the organizers are planning several complementary activities.
The event will commence at 11:00am. The grand opening is shown on the Urban Chat calendar.
