Sebastopol planners review draft Active Transportation Plan as residents push for protected lanes and trails

A consultant team presented the draft Sebastopol Active Transportation Plan to the Planning Commission on Oct. 22, outlining goals to create a connected network "for all ages and abilities" and a prioritization framework aimed at aligning projects with competitive grant criteria.

Eleanor Leshner, representing Leshner Planning on the countywide team, said the draft—released earlier in October—is accepting comments through November and is scheduled to go to the City Council on Nov. 19 with a final plan expected in early 2025. "A focus on safety, connectivity, equity, quality of life" is central to the update, Leshner said.

Why it matters: The plan updates Sebastopol’s 2011 bicycle and pedestrian master plan and is tied to a countywide effort led by the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA). Adoption would make projects eligible for state and federal grants, including the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, consultants said.

Public commenters pushed for stronger, protected facilities on main arterials and clearer inclusion of proposed off‑street trails. Gavin Waters told the commission he "fully support[s] the Bike Sebastopol letter" and asked that Apple Blossom and Gravenstein trail connections be prioritized. Emily Sharton of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition urged protected lanes and traffic calming on Healdsburg Avenue, Main Street and Petaluma Avenue, saying those arterials "need to be a top priority." Roberta Delgado and other residents argued for class 4 parking‑protected lanes and class 1 off‑street trails connecting neighborhoods.

Several commenters also raised concerns about plan transparency on costs and financing. Steve Pierce noted the plan’s finance section is thin and reminded the commission that many competitive grants require a local match—often about 15 percent—information that should guide realistic prioritization.

On trails: Some community members said several community‑developed multi‑use trail ideas were presented vaguely on a map and not included as discrete tabled projects, making meaningful public review difficult. Planning staff and consultants said the plan includes those trail concepts in a figure with approximate alignments but that showing precise plan lines across private property poses legal and outreach problems; they said including the approximate alignments preserves eligibility for feasibility funding while avoiding premature property implications.

Implementation and next steps: Commissioners and staff discussed quick‑build pilot opportunities—relatively low‑cost, paint‑and‑posts projects or crosswalks—that could provide early safety gains while larger grant‑funded projects move through design and construction. The consultant emphasized the plan’s prioritization framework is designed to identify tier 1 projects most likely to succeed for grant funding. The public comment period and a workshop/open house were highlighted as opportunities for additional input; staff confirmed the draft will go to City Council on Nov. 19 and that written comments will be accepted through the end of November.

The commission took no final action on the draft. Staff said it will compile feedback and return to council with a final recommendation for adoption in early 2025.