Planning commission unanimously approves two residential design reviews, a wine-tasting permit and a resolution to streamline design review

The Sonoma City Planning Commission on June 17 unanimously approved two design‑review permits for residential work, approved a wine‑tasting use permit for a downtown tasting room and adopted a resolution recommending City Council amend the municipal code to clarify review authority and reduce design‑review triggers.

The commission approved a design‑review application for a remodel at 767 Third Street East. Associate planner Diane Levine told the commission the work would not expand the building footprint but would change roof material and slightly increase the overall height “from 13 feet 5 inches to 14 feet 4 inches,” and would add a front arbor structure visible from the public right of way. Architect Lars Lambert told the commission the nonconforming fence on the property “is called out to be removed” and said the fence would be left in place during construction and removed afterward. Commissioner Barnett moved approval; the roll call recorded six ayes and no no votes.

The commission also approved a design‑review permit to replace windows at 366 East Spain Street, a property identified as part of the Samuel Sebastiani residential historic district. Associate planner Jacob Dunn said the project would replace 14 windows and that the front windows and the first east‑facing window would be wood casement units while the remaining windows would be vinyl; staff recommended approval of the design‑review permit and a categorical exemption. Commissioner Latimer moved approval; the vote was unanimous.

Downtown tasting room: the commission approved a wine‑tasting use permit for a proposed Paton Hall tasting room at 596 First Street East. Staff described the proposal as an expansion of a prior tasting use in an existing structure within the downtown historic overlay, including exterior hardscape to provide four outdoor tables (16 total seats) and an applicant request to open at 10 a.m. (the commission noted standard opening times are 11 a.m. under the city’s use‑permit rules). The applicant said outdoor seating would be “open” to First Street East and that operations would follow California ABC guidance; the applicant also confirmed no tree removal was planned. The commission recorded a unanimous vote to approve the use permit.

Code streamlining resolution: the planning commission voted to adopt a resolution recommending City Council adopt an ordinance that modifies municipal code language about review authority and adjusts triggers for design review and demolition review. Community Development Director Jennifer Gates summarized the changes as clarifying references to review authority, removing design review from the commission name where appropriate, increasing some design‑review exemptions, and creating an administrative minor review process. The commission’s motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance - Design review, 767 Third Street East (residential remodel): motion moved by Commissioner Barnett; outcome: approved (unanimous). Staff recommended approval; project does not expand footprint and includes roof replacement and front arbor. - Design review, 366 East Spain Street (window replacement, historic district): motion moved by Commissioner Latimer; outcome: approved (unanimous). Project replaces 14 windows; front windows to be wood casement, others vinyl; staff recommended a categorical exemption. - Use permit, Paton Hall Tasting Room, 596 First Street East: motion moved by Commissioner Barnett; outcome: approved (unanimous). Proposal adds outdoor seating for four tables (16 seats), seeks 10 a.m. opening, and retains existing structure. - Resolution recommending City Council adopt code amendments to clarify review authority and modify design‑review rules: motion moved by Commissioner Barnett; outcome: approved (unanimous). Staff described updated definitions, expanded administrative review, and continued use of historic resource evaluations until a citywide survey is complete.

What commissioners recorded in the roll calls matched the meeting minutes: all four items passed by unanimous votes. The approvals were ministerial or quasi‑judicial land‑use actions; no appeals or further action by the commission were recorded at the meeting. The commission’s resolution will be transmitted to City Council for final action.