Editorial: Sonoma’s downtown parking puzzle

The streets surrounding Sonoma Plaza have long functioned like alleyways in a parking lot, but that "parking lot" is now woefully insufficient. Despite this, developers keep bringing forth plans that will make matters worse, driving downtown visitors and business employees ever deeper into the residential... Continue

Disagreements, polite (school district) and otherwise (hillside homes)

The hiring of Socorro Shiels as the new superintendent of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, already approved by a unanimous vote, will be formalized at the April 17 board meeting. Britta Johnson, president of SVUSD Board of Trustees, says Sheils, among other attributes, “has... Continue

Pipe dreams: Will Sonoma miss out on the marijuana boom?

[caption id="attachment_86442" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Though plans for a cannabis dispensary in the back of the building are on hold, Jon Early proceeds with the remodel of 865-875 West Napa Street, the former sites of the Wine Annex and the Community Café. All city... Continue

Council to rule on affordable housing project

A Sonoma neighborhood group opposed to a 48-unit affordable housing complex – the Altamira Family Apartments proposed for 20269 Broadway – will take its case to the Sonoma City Council on January 29. Nearby resident Lynn Fisk-Watts has lodged an appeal Sonoma Planning Commission’s November 9... Continue

Council nixes “Boarding House” idea, delays vote on Broadway trees

By a 3-1 vote (Councilmember Agrimonti absent) the Sonoma City Council ended up in agreement with the Planning Commission to pass on the idea of creating a new, legal vacation rental category called "Boarding House." If passed, the measure would have allowed home owners to... Continue

City calls for volunteer policymakers

[caption id="attachment_45229" align="alignnone" width="419"] (Photo Credit: Cory Maylett, CC BY SA 3.0)[/caption] The City of Sonoma is looking for volunteers to fill vacancies on three commissions. Interested citizens may apply by submitting an application, by March 18, to the City Clerk. Forms are available at... Continue

Non-profits hit as City tightens belt

In the first wave of cost cutting to close Sonoma’s projected $170,000 deficit, the City Council decided to reduce support to four non-profit groups by 12 percent. The total outlay will be $123,200: the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley will receive $51,040; the... Continue

New panel will study ‘big box’ policy

Surprised by the announcement that a 14,400 sq. ft. Staples store was coming to town, the Sonoma City Council has voted to form an eight-person committee to study how to deal with proposed ‘big box’ retailers. From now on the council wants a role in... Continue

New panel will study ‘big box’ policy

City council vote – no bike lanes for West Spain

On Wednesday night, the Sonoma City Council unanimously voted to drop plans for a bike lane on West Spain Street. Opponents of the plan turned out in force to voice their opinions. They were elated at the outcome of the vote. At the same time,... Continue