Page 33 - Sonoma County Gazette 3-19

Tensions in the Burg over small town balance become especially acute when our Plaza feels threatened.
This month we shine light on “small scale” in our land use code.
Corned Beef & Cabbage Feed—March 9
On February 12, the Planning Commission heard (and approved 4-1-1) the Ramsey/Valette 106 Matheson, mixed-use proposal, on the Plaza. Community members packed City Hall. Many expressed enthusiastic support for a vibrant new venue with Chef Valette; others, however, requested a seat reduction of the proposed 231-seat “too-big-on-the-Plaza” restaurant.
It’s tasty and some say it’s the best around—brought to you by Penngrove Social Firemen. All proceeds help maintain Community Clubhouse and Penngrove Park, for the benefit of the community. Come and join us! When: Saturday, March 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm
Commissioner, Dan Petrik (DP), the sole NO vote explained his rationale, “(Though) I find the project...exceptionally well-designed...The existing uses on the plaza are our benchmark. Our role as commissioners is to impartially evaluate the facts and apply them to the legal standard...to find the project consistent with the purpose of the Plaza Retail District (PR) in our Land
Use Code which states: ‘Promote uses that are harmonious with the special character of the Plaza, that are small-scale in nature, and that would not function effectively in another commercial district.’”
winning Bud’s Meats. Dessert can be purchased from the Penngrove 4-H. Cost: Adults $15.00, Children under 12, $8. Tickets are sold at the door.
For more information, call Stan Pronzini at 707 217-7161.
DP: “We need to have a public discussion that either re-affirms the purpose of the plaza or changes it to address evolving market conditions and resident needs. But, making a large policy decision about the cultural center of this town should be a deliberate act resulting from a community-derived vision or re-vision for the plaza and not in reaction to a specific personality-driven project...I do not find that the project is consistent with the plain reading of the purpose of the district.”
DP: “We have to look at what is harmonious with the existing Plaza. Its special character is based on its unique spatial design as a relatively small, intact, and intimate town square... and is unique and rare among small towns in California, frankly among small towns anywhere in this country...but it’s truly special beyond its small-scale physical features, deriving specialness from the dominant small-scale uses (surrounding the square) and the sense of place and calm energy they contribute to the relaxed wine-country small town charm—so attractive to residents and visitors.”
Small-scale in nature?
DP: “This scale of restaurant is very large by any measure, in any city, and unprecedented on the Plaza in the modern Healdsburg tourism era. It dwarfs the next largest restaurant, the 80-seat Dry Creek Kitchen.”
Would this restaurant function effectively in another district?
DP: “The point of the PR District is to reserve space for and to support uses on the plaza that could not function effectively elsewhere, where there isn’t as much pedestrian traffic. This project, because it is a destination business, could likely function effectively well in other districts.”
The commissioner’s concerns were echoed in public comments that focused on scale of use:
Classes at Sonoma State’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offer older adults an opportunity to continue their education without tests and grades in a fun, relaxed, congenial environment. Learn more about OLLI ‘s once-a-week classes and enjoy a sample lecture on artists of the post WWII New York School—Jackson Pollack, Lee Krasner, Mark Rothko, and more— all of whose work we can see at S.F.’s Museum of Modern Art. Presenter Linda Loveland Reid is chair of OLLI’s Community Outreach Program and a popular art lecturer.
“The word tonight is BIG...Healdsburg has voted many times to stay small scale. By a large majority voters opposed measure ‘R’ which would have allowed large numbers of big, market rate houses in our small neighborhoods. Instead, measures ‘S’ & ‘P,’ supporting affordable and middle income homes, passed easily. Then, local citizens convinced the City to say ‘NO’ to more big hotels and tasting rooms downtown, even to a too big bridge over the river.”
Now, about that queue cutter: No ordinary traffic signal, this is extra protection at a particularly hazardous railroad crossing. Not a typical traffic light. It warns drivers that either: 1) a train is approaching, or 2) traffic is halting on the roadway beyond the crossing. Vehicle detection loops buried
in the roadway sense the movement of cars and trucks, and when gridlock occurs with cars potentially blocked in or trapped on the crossing, the queue cutter activates and initiates a traffic stop. The signals flash yellow, then solid yellow, then steady red, and finally settle into an alternating red sequence (just like crossbucks). When you observe these red lights at a rail crossing, it’s an unconditional stop signal (not a stop and proceed with caution signal).
“106 Matheson is the worst location in town for a 200+ visitor attraction.
Just imagine the nightly congestion scene of vehicles piling up at that busy plaza corner. Dozens of dining visitors, unfamiliar and frustrated with our downtown parking scarcity, will be blocking traffic, stopping and waiting at the new restaurant to park or unload. And let’s not forget, each parking spot lost around the town square is a space lost to existing merchants...the issues here are clear, and decisions should not be about applicant popularity....”
Sonoma County Public Works, the roadway authority, was compelled to install this unusual queue cutter signal as a warning to motorists not to enter the crossing during gridlock conditions.
Before the final vote Petrik asked the commissioners to honor the purpose of the PR district; to consider the consequences of approval and instead support actions that “can avoid conflicts over future large-scale proposals like this on the Plaza.” Then requested that the City Council direct staff and the Planning Commission to address these issues “so we are prepared for the next large project proposed for the Plaza.”
Bottom line: Those red lights mean stop and don’t proceed. Drivers, please do the safe thing: wait until ALL red lights go out before entering the most dangerous intersection in Sonoma County. And, just ignore the taunts of impatient drivers with itchy horn fingers.
The last day to appeal the decision was February 25, 2019.
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Where: At the Penngrove Clubhouse, 385 Woodward Ave.
What: Corned beef, cabbage and potatoes. Meat is handmade by award
For the Love of Learning, try OLLI—March 5
The free talk is at 1:00 to 2:30 pm, at Petaluma Regional Library, 100 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. Please RSVP to info@ VillageNetworkofPetaluma.org or 776-6055.
Red Flashing Lights, Trains and Cars—Oh My!
Let’s learn a little more about those crazy flashing lights at the odd traffic signal at the Main Street/Woodward railroad crossing.
First: when the railroad crossing “crossbuck” lights are flashing, the bells are ringing, and the gates are descending, get outta there! A train is near!
Legally, while red lights are flashing at a railroad crossing, the roadway is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. This is an unconditional stop and wait signal, not a proceed with caution signal. Common sense and the CA vehicle codes dictate that you stop your vehicle short of crossing gates, and wait behind the double white line while railroad crossing signals are active. When a train is past, wait until the gates are fully vertical and crossbuck flashing lights are turned off, before proceeding through the crossing. Be certain there is enough space on the roadway beyond the crossing for your vehicle to quickly clear the railroad track, especially when traffic congestion is on the roadway (as occurs during morning and afternoon commute gridlock). Note: the ticket for being stopped inside the crossing zone ranges upwards to $490.
Second, if your car is inside the crossing and the crossing signal becomes activated, a train can arrive within 30 seconds. Drive forward and get your vehicle off the tracks as quickly as possible. Even if it means driving your vehicle off the asphalt into the rough, onto a sidewalk, or into the opposite lane. Better to save your life and possibly damage to your vehicle, than have injury or destruction.