Council curbs Williams-Sonoma party plans

A plan for the Williams-Sonoma store to host 15 after-hours special events a year was denied Monday night by the Sonoma City Council. The panel’s 5-0 vote overturned previous approval by the Planning Commission.

The eight-point appeal, filed by former Mayor Larry Barnett, focused on problems with proposed valet parking, the use of public highway space for a private party, and disabled access for events up to 80 people.

The Council agreed that because the City’s Development Code lacks specific rules in these areas, approval should not be granted. City staff was directed to develop updated regulations.

Williams-Sonoma representatives said the events were merely an extension of its day-to-day business, which would have called for simpler permitting. But the Council sided with the appeal language, which argued that the activity level was nearer that of an event center.

Several people at the August 17 meeting spoke in defense of the store and its historical and cultural importance to the town. Councilmembers deemed those arguments immaterial to the legal points of the appeal. “You can like Williams-Sonoma and not like this proposal,” said Councilmember Rachel Hundley.