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Planning staff proposes adding Sonole flood narrative, to convene agencies to clarify responsibilities
Summary
Planning staff proposed draft amendments to the county general plan safety element that add narrative documenting January 2023 flood damage in Sonole and an action to convene agencies (Zone 7, SFPUC, Alameda County Public Works, Caltrans) to determine flood prevention and response responsibilities. Planning staff will return to the planning commission Oct. 21.
Planning department staff briefed Alameda County supervisors on proposed safety element amendments that would document community concerns about jurisdictional responsibility for flood prevention and response in the unincorporated community of Sonole and direct staff to convene agencies to clarify roles.
Allie Avers of the county planning department said the safety element amendments respond to heavy January 2023 storms that produced "extensive damage in the unincorporated community of Sonole, including damage to roads and infrastructure, personal property losses, and damage to portions of the Sonole Lehi School." Planning staff proposed adding narrative that records community disappointment with agency responses and an action measure to "convene staff from public agencies with potential roles to play in reducing flooding in the community of Sonole...in a public forum to discuss and determine responsibility for preventing and responding to future flood events in Sonole." Staff said the convening led by District 1 will take place no later than June 2025 and that summaries will be returned to the Sonole Citizens Advisory Council and the board's transportation and planning committee.
The planning commission chose to continue its review until uncertainty about jurisdictional responsibility can be addressed; staff said the added narrative and action item are intended to prompt the planning commission to recommend adoption. "We have received responses," staff said, "but they do not provide clarity about jurisdictional responsibility." Committee members asked county counsel to research whether legal remedies exist to compel interagency participation; county counsel said that is a complex question that requires internal coordination and follow‑up.
Public comment came from Sonole resident Rodney Zeiss, who described school and property damage and urged the county to "hammer this down" to ensure responsibility is assigned. Supervisors directed county council to investigate legal options and asked staff to pursue a convening of the identified agencies; supervisors also discussed the possibility of a town hall to communicate responsibilities to residents.
Why it matters: The amendments aim to clarify which agencies are responsible before a future flood emergency, which affects emergency response, cleanup, infrastructure repair and communication to residents. The committee did not adopt the safety element today; staff will return to the planning commission and later to the board with recommendations.
