Planning staff details Caltrans mobility grant, Hotel Sebastopol extension and canopy project timelines

Planning staff briefed the Design Review Board and Tree Board on several city planning matters on July 23.

Staff said the city held two stakeholder meetings for a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation grant that will study downtown pedestrian and mobility upgrades along a core area that runs roughly from McKinley Street to Willow and over to Petaluma Avenue. Consultants will develop a project website and public engagement materials as the project moves into early public outreach.

City staff also reported that the City Council adopted a resolution on July 2 extending the Hotel Sebastopol development agreement and related entitlements for an additional three years while the project seeks financing. Staff said the applicant is still pursuing federal loan funding and other sources to move the project forward.

On the Woodmark project on Bodega Avenue, staff said phase one (the four front units) is complete and awaiting final utility and inspection sign-offs, and a final landscaping inspection and occupancy steps are expected soon.

Staff gave an update on the canopy project, saying planners met with the developer and outlined a timeline for building-permit submittals and final map documents. The developer aims for building-permit approvals by the end of the year and to begin vertical construction early next year, although staff emphasized timelines are subject to change. Staff also summarized council discussion about potentially combining planning-related boards and commissions; any ordinance to merge bodies would require formal drafting, a public process and at least a 30-day adoption period before implementation.

Staff confirmed the prior interim planning director recently left and that another interim is lined up; recruitment for a permanent planning director is ongoing.