Santa Rosa Board Appoints Drew Fajent to Waterways Advisory Committee

The City of Santa Rosa Design Review and Preservation Board convened on August 7, 2025, to address key issues related to design review and historic preservation within the city. The board's primary role is to evaluate proposed projects based on their design, site configuration, and overall impact on surrounding properties and the city as a whole. This includes assessing alterations to properties within designated preservation districts and landmarks, ensuring compliance with the city’s general plan, zoning codes, and architectural criteria.

The meeting began with a brief report from board members, which yielded no new updates. Following this, the board proceeded to the election of new members, where Drew Fajent was appointed to the Waterways Advisory Committee. Public comments were invited regarding this appointment, with one resident seeking clarification on Fajent's name, which was confirmed by the board.

No department reports were presented during the meeting, and there were no statements of abstentions or recusals from commissioners. The board then moved on to scheduled items, starting with updates to the telecommunications ordinance. This update was introduced by Amy Nicholson, the supervising planner, along with city planner Suzanne Hartman and attorney Bennett Givens from the law firm BBK. Their presentation aimed to align the city’s telecommunications regulations with current federal and state laws.

The meeting concluded without further discussion on additional agenda items, highlighting the board's ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of Santa Rosa's design and historic preservation standards. Further updates on the telecommunications ordinance are anticipated as the board continues its review process.