Habitat for Humanity pitches Sonoma project

By Dave Ransom | For The Sun

A nonprofit initiative would bring 60 to 65 “self-help affordable home ownership” residences to 6.5 acres of land on Napa Road under a plan introduced by Habitat for Humanity.

The plan, not yet formally proposed to planning agencies, calls for developing the parcel at 285 Napa Road, just east of Friedman’s and just outside city limits. Many of those who crowded into the Community Center on October 22 came to get their names on Habitat’s list of interested people. Among the attendees were a dozen or more Latino families, as well as city council member Logan Harvey.

The nonprofit agency is targeting households with 80 percent or less of area median income (AMI). Though anyone can apply, Habitat will market to local medical workers, emergency responders, teachers, and farmworkers, said project manager David Brigode, a longtime Sonoma resident with 25 years in affordable housing. 

Brigode explained that each qualifying family would be required to put in 500 hours of work. State funds earmarked for wildfire relief should underwrite the purchase of the property and provide significant down payments for qualifying new homeowners.

Since the property abuts the city, water and sewer can easily be hooked up, he said. The city council would have to annex the parcel, but the Urban Growth Boundary ordinance permits annexing 20 acres, five acres a year. The ordinance requires that no comparable acreage be available inside city limits. Habitat believes that to be the case.

Additionally, the project would need to be granted an exception or variance to the UGB. 

Napa Road neighbors attended to weigh the project’s pros and cons. Many worried it would increase traffic on already heavily travelled Napa Road. But as one said, “We really do need housing in Sonoma.”

Afterwards, Brigode said he was pleased with the attendance — and the “lighter than expected” criticism. “I was happy to see the strong Latino turnout for an issue in the city of Sonoma.”

Brigode conducted the meeting in both English and Spanish, with translation provided by Mario Castillo of the Sonoma Valley Housing Group and Patricia Galindo, the family services coordinator at La Luz. The SVHG supports the project.

Habitat’s proposal tests Sonoma’s UGB ordinance by calling for annexation of acreage adjacent to the city to build affordable housing, something not done in the 20 years since the UGB was passed. 

The test comes at a time when the UGB is up for review and renewal (it expires at the end of 2020) and while there is disagreement among UGB supporters.

The Sonoma Valley Housing Group has asked the city council to renew the UGB as is for two years and to fold it into the pending review of the city’s general plan. The group has called for participation in both the UGB and general-plan discussions by the broader Sonoma community, including the Springs and other residential areas around the city.

Citizens to Renew City of Sonoma’s Urban Growth Boundary want the UGB extended for 20-30 years without change. They have asked the city council to put it on the ballot next year, and if not, they promise to do so themselves, by initiative. They point out that if the UGB is not extended by popular vote, the city council may change it at will. 

Some supporters of having the voters extend the UGB oppose the Habitat Project as “sprawl.” Longtime community activist Marilyn Goode spoke against the project at the October 21 city council meeting. Rather than Habitat going outside the city limits, she said, “I’m sure we can find some other little places around town.”

Dave Ransom lives in Santa Rosa but goes to church in Sonoma. He is a member of the Sonoma Valley Housing Group.