The editorial in the August 28 Sonoma Valley Sun, “The City of Boyes Hot Springs?” touched on what has become a topic of discussion at Springs Community Alliance meetings and among residents concerned about how decisions impacting our community are made. The topic has been... Continue
Today’s column includes updates on two county ordinances that will impact the Springs -- the vacation rental and tobacco retail license ordinances -- and a follow up on the façade improvements controversy. At what is expected to be a packed house, the Sonoma County Planning... Continue
The hottest controversy in the Springs right now is Sebastopol designer Rico Martin’s façade improvements on commercial buildings along Highway 12. The debate includes that Martin, being paid with taxpayers' money, was not held to the Highway 12 design guidelines in creating what is becoming... Continue
Today’s column begins with several updates on Springs projects. The creation of the Central Sonoma Valley Bike Path took an important step forward this month when the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board granted an easement to the County allowing the bike path to cross... Continue
Here’s another advantage to living in the Springs instead of the City of Sonoma – we pay less for water. With the exception of the small percentage of Springs’ residents who get their water directly from wells, we get our water delivered to us by... Continue
Considered to be the biggest eyesore in the Springs, the former Uncle Paddy’s at 15 Boyes Boulevard near the Sonoma Mission Inn, next year will be transformed into an upscale pizza restaurant. The owner, Karen Waikiki, has drawn up plans that involve tearing down the... Continue
Boyes Hot Springs resident Michael Acker is seeking old photographs and family snapshots for a book he’s writing about the history of the Springs. The book, titled “Picturing the Springs,” will be published by Arcadia Books as part of its “Images of America” series. Acker... Continue
The Sonoma County Health Services Department will present a proposed ordinance March 3 to the Board of Supervisors that would put a cap on, and eventually reduce, the number of tobacco and e-cigarette retailers in the Springs. The ordinance calls for requiring tobacco and e-cigarette retailers in Sonoma County’s unincorporated... Continue
Because there was no “Springs Eternal” column in December, I have a lot of news and updates for you this month. The latest regarding the Highway 12 sidewalk project is that the County Public Works Department plans to open bids the first week of February.... Continue
The Sonoma League for Historic Preservation is turning its sights on the Springs and is in the process of establishing a Springs Advocacy Committee. About a year ago I was recruited to join the League’s Board of Directors, as board members thought the League needed... Continue