Sonoma council approves three hillside homes, carves out tree‑replacement rule for state‑mandated defensible‑space removals

The Sonoma City Council unanimously approved three linked use permits and design reviews May 20 for new single‑family residences on 149 Fourth Street East and two adjacent parcels on Brazil Street after the applicants reduced building massing, added drainage and fire‑access work, and requested a longer completion timeline.

The council adopted resolutions approving a categorical CEQA exemption (Class 3) and the projects subject to conditions of approval, including a modification to the city’s tree‑replacement condition. The amended language directs that tree removals required by state government code defensible‑space standards, as documented in a qualified fire‑protection plan, shall not be subject to Sonoma’s one‑for‑one replacement requirement or the in‑lieu fee; tree removals for other project reasons remain subject to replacement or fee requirements.

Community Development Director Jennifer Gates told the council the three properties are in the residential hillside zoning district and historic overlay and that staff’s review found the applications comply with development and hillside design standards after the applicants reduced pad grading and accessory‑structure massing. For 149 Fourth Street East, staff said the project proposes a 5,580‑square‑foot single‑family home with a pool house and detached garage; civil plans identify roughly 10,718 square feet of pad grading for that site, and the final stormwater and erosion control plans must be approved before permits.

Applicant Chad Maul of Maul Design said the team has worked more than a year with staff to pare back scale, reduce visibility from the valley floor, and limit grading and tree removal where feasible. “We’ve listened to neighbors and staff and redesign efforts reduced the pool‑house and accessory massing substantially while keeping the primary residence at a single story step‑down,” Maul said.

Fire Marshal Trevor Smith told the council that state defensible‑space rules (PRC 4291 and related guidance) are likely to be in effect for new construction and that the required spacing and canopy‑clearance standards vary with slope; he said mature trees not exhibiting deadwood generally do not present the same risk as dense ladder fuels. “Trees near the home can often be pruned and managed rather than removed,” Smith said, while cautioning that individual permit‑level review will determine exact removals.

Councilmembers pressed applicants on drainage, slope work, and emergency vehicle access. The applicant team said the driveway and turnout geometry were reviewed and approved by the fire department; the proposals include bio‑retention planters and interim construction best‑management practices to reduce offsite runoff during grading and construction.

The motions adopted by council included the applicant’s request for a six‑year period to complete the three projects (the standard is two years), language clarifying the tree‑replacement carve‑out for statemandated defensible‑space removals, and the standard conditions requiring final approved stormwater and erosion control plans, landscape plans, and tree protection measures.

The votes were unanimous: Council member Ding — yes; Council member Ferrar Ravis — yes; Council member Gurnie — yes; Vice Mayor Low — yes; Mayor Ron Wellander — yes. The settlement agreement for these properties also requires a total $50,000 contribution to the city’s affordable‑housing trust fund; staff confirmed that obligation will be collected as required by the agreement.

What happens next: the applicants must return to staff with final civil and erosion control plans, provide any additional defensible‑space documentation required by the fire marshal at building permit submittal, and meet the conditions of approval before grading or building permits issue.