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New community development director introduces priorities; staff outlines Barlow Hotel schedule and joint DRB–Planning Commission meeting
Summary
At the Dec. 17, 2024 Design Review Board meeting, the city introduced Emmy Theriault as the new Community Development Director. Staff outlined project updates including Canopy, Huntley Square, active transportation planning, and a planned February joint meeting on the Barlow Hotel development agreement and design review.
SEBASTOPOL, Calif. — Emmy Theriault, the City of Sebastopol’s new Community Development Director, introduced herself at the Design Review Board’s Dec. 17 special meeting and outlined priorities including earlier design review involvement and collaboration across boards.
Theriault said she grew up locally, has about 26 years of urban planning experience and has worked in design and historic review in Tiburon and Napa. “I have an understanding of Sebastopol’s unique community concerns and aesthetic,” she told the board, and said she intends to meet board members individually to hear their concerns and priorities.
Planning staff reported several project and staffing updates. A planning technician, Susie, recently left for a planner position elsewhere; staff said temporary support will be sought while the position is filled. Staff listed active projects: Canopy’s final map approval is on the consent calendar, Huntley Square is in building- and grading-permit review, and the previously approved Kathy Austin project is moving forward toward construction.
On transportation, staff said the city held a November sustainable transportation workshop with about 100 attendees and that the Active Transportation Plan was introduced to city council Nov. 5 and is expected to return to council Jan. 21 for possible adoption.
A major topic of board discussion was the Barlow Hotel development agreement. Staff said the applicant requested a combined meeting of the Design Review Board and Planning Commission in February to consider the development agreement, entitlements and design aspects. Board members expressed concern about seeing a large project for the first time at a combined, near-final review and asked for more opportunity for preliminary design feedback.
Theriault and staff said the combined meeting is intended to improve efficiency and to provide a coordinated review of interrelated issues (design, use permits, and development agreement terms), and they said Jane Riley (via consultant 4Leaf) will continue to be involved in the project’s design review. Staff also said they are working with the city attorney on meeting logistics and will provide a staff report explaining how the combined meeting will be run and whether separate votes will occur for the separate bodies.
Board members asked for sufficient time to review meeting materials; staff agreed to work with Jane Riley to provide packets earlier so members can prepare. The board also discussed the applicant’s request to waive the 1% public-art requirement; staff said that request is negotiable and that in-lieu approaches or site-integrated art could be options to meet the public art committee’s objectives.
Theriault said any ordinance to formally combine boards would require amendments, public hearings and two readings, followed by a 30-day period before taking effect, and that the boards would remain separate until that process concludes.
Staff asked board members to submit questions before the combined meeting so staff and consultants can prepare responses. The city also said there are three DRB seats with applicants and that recruitment and ordinance work would follow any council direction.
The board recognized outgoing member Carrie Bush for a decade of service and adjourned.
