The appeal of the Sonoma Planning Commission’s decision to certify the Environmental Impact Report on the Hotel Sonoma project, coming one way or another to the 100 block of West Napa Street, has been set for June 22. The City Council will consider if concerns about traffic, water and housing – as in, there is none – were duly considered. The rules usually mandate that developments of this size include a housing element, but that provision was waived by city staff, and the Planning Commission seemed none to concerned about it. The Council will perhaps take a harder look at why the EIR skipped that scenario entirely to green-light the Kenwood Investments project. The vote should be interesting, as councilmembers debate aspects of the City’s biggest development in years, setting the tone – and the likely majority — for several others in the pipeline.
If you’re feeling sorry for the team at Kenwood Investments, or simply want to get in on the action, here’s your chance, and it starts at five bucks. Soon to be located at Cornerstone in Sonoma, the Jack London Taproom will be a purveyor of fine craft beer from breweries throughout Northern California. But it seems the pub — owned by Kenwood Investments, which is also the landlord) – wants financial help to build an outdoor beer garden. Through a Kickstarter campaign, you can pledge five bucks to $750 and get perks like t-shirts, wall plaques or hosted parties. No ownership stake, of course, but you’ll look great in a Taproom hoodie… If all goes well, the pub, which is moving into remodeled space, will open in September. “We have successfully developed larger, more complex projects in the past and therefore have a thorough understanding of what it takes to complete these tasks,” reads the small print. “We have engaged experienced legal and regulatory advisors to assist us in obtaining these approvals and thus to ensure our success.” So your five bucks seems like a safe bet.
Was it in the stars? Sonoma’s new Public Works Director/City Engineer is Colleen Ferguson, a board member of the Valley of the Moon Observatory Association, which operates the Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. The observatory was named for her father, who inspired development of the facility as an educational and public resource for the community. Colleen remains an avid stargazer. It’s a small world, and she can prove it.
Here’s a chance to join California’s original resistance movement – the gang that lead the Bear Flag Revolt in 1846. The Plaza party is June 10 and includes a reenactment of the rowdy rebellion, a ceremony historian and actor George Webber says has been performed most years since 1897. A rehearsal — something the original rebels, who were quickly subdued and sobered, would have done well to perform – will take place Sunday, June 4, 2 p.m. at the Bear Flag Statue in the Plaza. “The Bear Flag Revolt Acting Troupe is always looking for more people to participate,” Webber says. “It’s easy and fun, and no acting experience is necessary.”
— Val Robichaud
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