Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Updates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New community development director introduced as board discusses Barlow Hotel and combined review meeting
Summary
Planning staff introduced Community Development Director Emmy Theriault and updated the board on local projects including the Canopy project, Huntley Square and an Active Transportation Plan; the board discussed a planned combined DRB/Planning Commission meeting in February to review the Barlow Hotel development agreement and asked staff for clearer meeting logistics and earlier packet distribution.
The Sebastopol City Design Review Board heard a planning update that included the introduction of new Community Development Director Emmy Theriault and details about several large development projects and upcoming procedural changes.
Emmy Theriault, newly hired by the city and introduced to the board, described her background in design review and historic preservation work in Tiburon and Napa, said she has about 26 years as an urban planner and a degree from Sonoma State, and said she looks forward to meeting individually with board members and improving coordination between review bodies.
Planning staff reported that the Canopy project will appear for final map approval and that the Huntley Square project is progressing through building and grading permit review. Staff also said Kathy Austin’s previously approved project will move forward and summarized a public workshop on a sustainable/active transportation grant in November that drew "about over a 100" attendees during a four‑hour session. The Active Transportation Plan was introduced to council on November 5 and staff expects it may return on January 21 for possible adoption with clarifications requested by council.
The board spent substantial time on process questions about the Barlow Hotel project, which staff said is moving toward Planning Commission and City Council review under a negotiated development agreement that bundles entitlements and fiscal terms. Staff and the new director said they are coordinating a proposed combined meeting of the Design Review Board and Planning Commission—intended to provide design feedback to the project team—likely in February. Theriault explained combined meetings typically hold separate votes for the two bodies and that staff are working with the city attorney to finalize logistics; she said a staff memorandum will explain how the meeting will be run and encouraged board members to submit questions in advance for a more informed meeting.
Board members asked whether the DRB could see projects earlier in the process and requested more lead time for packet materials; staff committed to working with staff colleague Jane Riley to provide materials with more time for review. The board also discussed the "1% for art" public art requirement the applicant has asked to waive; Theriault said a waiver request would be negotiated as part of the development agreement and that in‑lieu or integrated infrastructure approaches are commonly used alternatives.
Staff reminded the board that any ordinance to combine boards would require planning commission recommendation, two city council readings and a 30‑day waiting period before taking effect; recruitment for altered board roles would follow the ordinance process, and the two boards remain in place until any ordinance is adopted.
