In what Planning Commission chair Raymund Gallian described as “the shortest meeting in eons,” the agency has given an official and enthusiastic thumbs-up to the framework for a more bike-friendly Sonoma.
“While no plan is going to be perfect, this one goes a long way toward achieving what this town needs,” audience member and local bicycle advocate Chip Roberson told commissioners.
The commission on July 10 approved 5–0 the 42-page Sonoma Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, which is a key part of the emerging countywide bike plan approved in May by the Sonoma County Transportation Authority. The latter document includes not only the unincorporated areas of the county but also individual plans for Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol and Windsor.
At issue is not only how to make improvements for alternative transportation but how to pay for them. In Sonoma’s case, that’s a potential 35 projects totaling $904,000 – 30 listed as “high priority” – including approximately 12 miles of bikeways (dedicated paths, roadside bicycle lanes and designated low-traffic residential streets) throughout the city and its immediate environs.
“Obviously, improvements need to be made,” Gallian said. “I’m all for doing what needs to be done to make that happen.”
Answering Commissioner Matt Howarth’s question about how the city would pay for the proposed improvements, Assistant Planner Wendy Atkins listed a quartet of state-based funding sources for which Sonoma would be eligible once the plan is approved by the City Council. Planning Administrator David Goodison added that the council has already set aside for the plan between $250,000 and $280,000 in capital improvement funds.
One high-priority part of the plan involves installing bike racks at Sonoma Plaza and other key locations throughout the city. Designs and placement for racks are currently being reviewed by the city’s Community Services and Environment Commission and Public Works Department.
City Manager Linda Kelly said Friday that the item is tentatively scheduled for the council’s Sept. 3 meeting. As Sonoma City Hall is currently undergoing a pre-centennnial renovation, copies of the plan are available for the public at the interim City Hall, at 32 Patten St.
The commission also gave unanimous approval to a proposal by Blue Moon Saloon owner Michael Reinke, who sought to add to the existing building a 950-square-foot outdoor patio surrounded by a 7-foot fence. Twelve seats would be added to the Highway 12 saloon, bringing its total to 40.
Although no neighbors spoke up at Thursday’s meeting, Atkins’ staff report said most were in favor of the idea because it moves smokers from the saloon parking lot closer to the road.
“People are out there anyway,” Reinke told the commission. “I’m just trying to keep them contained, instead of everybody everywhere.”
One condition of project approval is the installation of a sign asking late-departing motorcyclists to exit quietly. Reinke agreed, but said most of his biker patrons are at the saloon during the day rather than at night – and that he already warns his riding customers to behave themselves in the neighborhood.
“I tell them, ‘Rev it up when you’re on the highway,’” Reinke said.
