Page 37 - Sonoma County Gazette March 2017

‘Nextdoor Boyes Hill’
On January 28 twenty residents gathered at the Sonoma Library to greet and meet. Kathryn Page drew the group together by e-mail on the website, “Nextdoor Boyes Hill.” Kathryn encouraged local residents to participate in a non-political neighbor to neighbor gathering. Twenty people joined together around the table. For the most part they were strangers to one another.
The area affected by the Specific Plan includes the Highway 12 corridor from Agua Caliente Road to Verano Avenue and the residential area in the vicinity of Donald Street. Once adopted, the Springs Specific Plan will be used to guide future development in the Springs and gradually transform the area into a more vibrant, sustainable, and pedestrian-oriented community, with a focus on active transportation and enhanced transit opportunities.
From Lost Kitties to Politics, Springs Residents Stay In Touch!
The rules of the day were to introduce oneself and say why you were there
in three minutes. While billed as a non-political meeting, the topic of President Donald Trump soon surfaced. It appeared to this writer that most or all in attendance were not enthused with our newly elected leader. One member did claim her support and explained why. Everyone was polite and respectfully listened. The milk and homemade chocolate chip cookies were a great treat. It soon became apparent that Springs residents have a varied and interesting population. Apparently there will be another meeting on Saturday, March 4, from 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. Stay posted - Keep your eye on “Nextdoor Boyes Hill.”
Another community meeting will be held once the draft Specific Plan is compete to provide the public with an opportunity to review the Specific
Plan and provide comments. The community may also provide input on the Springs Specific Plan alternatives or request notification of future meetings by contacting County staff.
Open House for the Springs Speci c Plan
Thursday, March 9th, 6:00 p.m., at the Sonoma Charter School Multi- Purpose Room, in Sonoma. The open house is being held to introduce the community to three potential land use and circulation options developed for the Springs Specific Plan. One of these alternatives will be used as a basis for the draft Specific Plan. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting and provide input on the alternative they prefer.
A community open house for the Springs Specific Plan will be held on
Information at the project website: thesprings.specificplan.org or by emailing Yolanda Solano, at prmd-thesprings@sonoma-county.org.
What is this phenomena, “Nextdoor Boyes Hill?”
Would Cotati be Cotati without Prue Draper?
“Nextdoor” is a website that allows residents to communicate with their neighbors about community related matters. Categories of discussion include classifieds, local events, crime and safety, giveaway items, lost and found pets, service recommendations, and whatever else is on your mind. A recent list of topics included chimney repair, community origins, County fact sheet on the Cannabis Tax Election (3/7), lost cat, General Strike, dog trainer, health & wellness lecture, PC repair, an invitation to meet neighbors and form friendships, and buy bar stools, among others. So, you can’t go wrong. Sign on, Tune in, Join your neighbors! Go to boyeshill.nextdoor.com/news_feed/
Co-owners Nicole Benjamin and Garrett Sathre hope to open their burger and shake empire at 18375 Highway 12 in mid-May. The burger palace will open at the site of the former Los Primos Restaurant. Presently Nicole and Garrett are in a planning mode, obtaining appropriate permits and readying the location for a remodel job. Garrett and Nicole believe this is a perfect site for their new venture.
West-Handmade Burgers will feature standard burger and cheeseburgers as well as one or two specialty feasts, the West Burger and Truffle Burger.
By Deborah Taylor-French
After moving to Cotati I became curious
West-Handmade Burgers Expect To Open In Mid-May!
about how Rohnert Park and Cotati City limits t tightly together like two hands with interlaced ngers. Walking each neighborhood and street brought to mind an intricate jigsaw puzzle. On a visit to the Cotati Historical Museum I asked Prudence (Prue) Draper
why Cotati City limits were so erratically interwoven with our neighbor city?
Exciting Menu Planned....
Cotatians traditionally have said they were living in the “hub of Sonoma County.” So Cotati meant something as a meeting place, a lively town full of characters, with plenty of events and purpose. More than a wide spot in the road because people raised families, ran sheep ranches and poultry farms here.
The West Burger will comprise
spicy chipotle, crispy onions, smoked cheddar, and bacon. Garrett who has been in the food industry for most of his adult life says they are still testing for the “right” bun from several prominent bakeries. Milk shakes will be made
with ice cream from “Three Scoops” in downtown Sonoma.
Prue Draper said, “At that time when the Seed Farm sprouted new homes, Cotati residents began to fear that the incorporation of Rohnert Park would consume the 100 businesses and best real estate, plus the historic character of Cotati.” This concern led to the formation of a citizen’s committee spearheaded by Lloyd Draper. As co-owner, publisher, journalist and editor of The Cotatian Newspaper, Prue was not one step behind her husband. Dr. Bill Kortum, President of the Cotati Chamber of Commerce, Real estate broker Joe Dorfman and County Tax Appraiser Sam Houser sprang to action. The group began gathering signatures on a petition stating Cotati’s intention to form an incorporated city.
Initially the “team” will be Nicole
out front and Garrett in the kitchen.
Additional help will be hired in due course. The couple has two small children
to be cared for at their Springs home. This venture seems to be the kind of establishment envisioned in the Springs Specific Plan to be unveiled later this year.
That day in the museum, Prue added, “Back in 1963 we literally went door to door asking each homeowner if they wanted to be including in Cotati City limits.” This explained why a stroll through Cotati, a person will enter and leave Cotati, on home-by-home basis, a pattern of interlacing city boundaries.
Sonoma Valley Water Totals Vary Significantly: At least five Valley sites report rainfall to Community Coordinated Rain And Hail Studies (CoCoRAHS) at Colorado State. Become a CoCoRAHS reporting scientist - go to www.cocorahs. org. One receives a standard rain gauge and reporting instructions for $25 at
Prudence (Prue) Draper was a true Cotatian. I feel grateful to her for decades of community service. From knocking on doors to incorporate our city to the creation of the Cotati Historical Society and the history museum to her well known activism to save a rare albino redwood tree.
this interesting website. Sonoma County has more reporters (135+) than almost any county in the state. Reporting is daily, rain or shine. CoCoRAHS allows participants to study local, state, or national weather. Your report assists the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service.
Dear Prue, you are missed. Your rm hold on facts along with your love of detail. Your insight and willingness to listen are missed. Your expressions of curiosity, your talent for uniting a community in a common goal, your generosity and thoughtfulness are missed. You will always be a major part of the “herstory” of Cotati.
LOCAL REPORTERS are in Glen Ellen (2), Boyes Springs (1), and the City of Sonoma (2). Local Precipitation in inches – Water Year to date (10/1/16 – 2/17/17) Glen Ellen – 55.29, Boyes Hot Springs – 37.88, Sonoma – 33.15.” Cazadero reports the greatest rainfall to date in Sonoma County - 86.56 inches.
I’m sure Prue would approve of a plug for her favorite cause. Please join the Cotati Historical Society and support the museum either online at cotatihistoricalsociety.org/ join or mail a check to Cotati Historical Society, P.O. Box 7013, Cotati, CA 94931
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