Calendar notes for the week of August 21, 2023.

I’ll start today with a reminder. If you haven’t yet reserved a spot for the Urban Chat Mixer this coming Friday, please RSVP to margot.rachel.thomas@gmail.com immediately. You don’t want to be left out.

For new readers, Urban Chat Mixers are an opportunity for a small group of Urban Chat members, including everyone reading this email, to meet in a small casual setting to become better acquainted and to exchange thoughts about land-use issues.

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Calendar notes for the week of August 14, 2023.

Last week was as full and compelling as I’d expected. Although I departed early, which means after only four hours in the Council Chambers, I’m glad I didn’t miss the Planning Commission review of the proposed Overlay.

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Calendar notes for the week of August 7, 2023.

Ahh, what a week this will be. As always, further details are below, but ponder this Monday through Thursday lineup: a City Council meeting that will include the proposed response to the Civil Grand Jury report, a Planning Commission workshop on the proposed Downtown Overlay District, a Know Before You Grow meeting on ADUs, and then a Transit Committee meeting conducted on a Petaluma Transit bus.

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Calendar notes for the week of July 31, 2023

This week, only a Pedestrian Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting with wayfinding on the agenda is of urbanist interest. But buckle up for the weeks beyond.

Next week will begin with a Monday evening Council meeting that includes a response to a Civil Grand Jury report, a potentially controversial Police Department issue, and perhaps an Overlay item. The following night will be an Overlay workshop with the combined Planning Commission and Historical and Cultural Preservation Committee. And then we’ll conclude the packed three-day span with a KBYG forum on adding housing to future 15-minute neighborhoods. On the fourth day, we’ll rest.

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Calendar notes for the week of July 24, 2023

Looking at the coming week, tomorrow’s combined Planning Commission/HCPC workshop on the proposed Downtown Overlay District seemed to be the highlight of the week, followed closely by the KBYG speaker the following evening. Well, stuff happens.

The Planning Commission/HCPC Overlay workshop has been moved to August 8. And neither intended KBYG speaker was available. However, there’s still much to pay attention to this week.

Tomorrow evening with their shortened agenda, the Planning Commission will conduct a hearing on the proposed Spirit Living senior residential project. The Spirit Living project would face the roundabout in the River Front project between Lakeville Street and the river, west of 101.

River Front has a history with lessons to impart to Urban Chat. Ten years before the phrase “15-minute neighborhood” was coined, River Front was conceived as a 15-minute neighborhood. Small lot single-family homes, condos, apartments, a playing field, and street front commercial were to provide a walkable/bike community that would show the way to a better future.

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Calendar notes for the week of July 17, 2023

Wednesday evening was the best-attended Know Before You Grow forum in our seven-year history. With standing room only in the Petaluma Woman’s Club, 150 of us heard further information from City staff regarding the proposed Downtown Building Form Overlay District, with multiple opportunities to question the direction and to offer comments.

While there was enough content that we could have continued past midnight, the two-plus hours allowed a broad airing of concerns and points of concurrence, all of which will be considered by Planning as they prepare for the Tuesday, June 25 joint workshop of the Planning Commission and Historical and Cultural Preservation Committee.

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Calendar notes for the week of July 3, 2023

Good news. We’ve found someone to be Dan Lyke’s understudy so the ability of Know Before You Grow to conduct forums won’t be constrained when Dan is unavailable.

Better news. We have a plan in place for the July 12 KBYG forum on the proposed Downtown Overlay. The current speaker list is Community Development Director Brian Oh and Planning Manager Andrew Trippel, with the possibility of additional speakers being added.

There will be multiple opportunities for the public to ask questions of the speakers, including facilitated breakout groups.

Also, we have a great venue. The Petaluma Woman’s Club has graciously agreed to host the forum in their hall at 518 B Street.

We’re thrilled to be able to bring this important conversation forward.

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