Sonoma planning commission certifies EIR, approves entitlements for 50‑unit Montalvo Apartments

The Sonoma City Planning Commission on Sept. 18 unanimously certified a final environmental impact report and approved related entitlements to permit the Montalvo Apartments, a 50‑unit rental development at 19320 Sonoma Highway.

Staff said the project — on two parcels totaling about 2.15 acres on the east side of Highway 12 — would replace an existing single‑family home determined eligible for the California Register of Historic Resources. The city’s initial study concluded the home’s demolition would be a significant environmental impact requiring an EIR and triggered a statement of overriding considerations in staff’s findings.

Developer De Novo Homes proposed seven buildings (two 2‑story five‑plexes and five 3‑story eight‑plexes) with about 24,000 square feet of common open space, private patios or balconies, and 68 garage parking spaces. The project will include 13 below‑market‑rate units reserved in perpetuity across extremely low, very low and low incomes — the applicant and staff said that meets density‑bonus eligibility under state law.

‘‘The statement of overriding considerations recognizes there are unavoidable historic‑resource impacts, and the commission must weigh those against public benefits,’’ staff said while recommending certification of the EIR, adoption of the mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP), and approval of the design review, density bonus, demolition permit and parcel merger.

Commissioners’ remarks reflected a mix of views. Several said state statutes constrained the commission’s discretion: one commissioner said SB 330 and related rules limit local ability to deny qualifying housing proposals, and others expressed frustration that objective standards reduce local design choices. Commissioners who supported the project cited the permanent affordable units and the project’s consistency with the general plan and housing element.

A handful of commissioners raised concerns about unit mix — the project’s units are predominantly two‑bedroom apartments — and said the city needs more smaller rental units for single working residents. Staff and the applicant responded that the project meets objective standards and that the affordable units will be dispersed throughout the development.

Public commenters included representatives of housing‑advocacy groups who urged approval to deliver affordable rentals to the community.

The motion, as read into the record, adopted a resolution certifying the final EIR, adopting the MMRP, making required findings including a statement of overriding considerations, and approving design review, a density bonus (with the requested concession and waiver), a demolition permit for the existing home, and a parcel merger to allow construction of a 50‑unit multi‑family rental development. The roll‑call vote was unanimous.

Next steps: staff said the applicant would complete preconstruction requirements and noted biological constraints (nesting‑bird season Feb. 1–Aug. 31) that can affect construction timing; the applicant said it intends to break ground next year, market conditions permitting.