The Sonoma City Planning Commission spent significant time on Oct. 16 reviewing the draft circulation element of the city’s general plan, pressing staff to clarify how the city will integrate evacuation routes with regional transportation networks, address vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and vehicle level‑of‑service metrics, and advance active‑transportation connections.

Community Development Director Jennifer (last name not specified in the hearing) introduced the circulation element as a required part of the general plan that covers mobility and references the city’s recently adopted active‑transportation plan. "It's more about making sure that we are participating in the region," Jennifer said when explaining the goal of integration with surrounding networks and agencies such as Caltrans and the county.

Commissioners sought concrete details. Commissioner Barnett pressed for what "effectively integrate" means in practice for evacuation routes — whether that involves predefined roadway assignments, traffic control, or public outreach — and asked whether implementation measures would be included. Jennifer said recent county and regional outreach (including presentations from CAL FIRE, the county emergency office and the sheriff) has shifted some evacuation planning toward dynamic, zone‑based guidance and noted that the safety element and upcoming traffic studies will address evacuation scenarios.

Commissioners debated technical metrics used in environmental review. Staff noted SB 743’s VMT standard is now used in environmental analysis, while the older level‑of‑service (LOS) measure is no longer required statewide; the city proposed retaining LOS as an additional local tool for traffic flow. "VMT is actually a criteria...it's analyzed during our environmental impacts while level of service used to be what was analyzed," staff said.

Other topics discussed included:
- Roundabouts and "micro" roundabouts: Commissioners asked for thorough evaluation of smaller roundabout alternatives rather than only large, overengineered examples; "I'm just curious...are we really doing our due diligence around micro roundabouts?" one commissioner asked.
- Parking management and use of satellite lots: Commissioners and staff discussed adjusting time limits and hours to support workers and visitors and directing staff to pursue Transportation Demand Management measures.
- Regional transit and shuttles: Staff described potential transit goals including more frequent bus headways (15 minutes for rapid transit) and an electric shuttle/trolley loop that could serve visitors and reduce vehicle trips.

Planning staff said several actions will follow: a proposed VMT policy to implement SB 743, further coordination with SCTA/Caltrans/the county on regional corridors and evacuation planning, efforts to pursue funding for active transportation, and outreach with other city commissions (public works, traffic safety, parks) so policies are coordinated.

Public comment included a presentation from Caitlin Cornwallis of the Ecology Center and Sonoma Valley Collaborative, who offered a draft ArcGIS map of proposed connector trails and links developed from county and city datasets and community input. "This map is made with datasets, the kind of datasets that city needs to use," she said, and staff agreed to accept and review the mapping work.

No formal action was taken; commissioners directed staff to bring additional technical details and to continue interagency coordination as the circulation element proceeds through public review and environmental analysis.