So this is how the county supervisor want-a-be will handle things at the county level. I guess being 2 million in the hole is nothing to worry about. We can just cut some more staff. May be close a fire station. Priorities!!!!!!!!!!
This is the most disgusting chapter in Petaluma politics I have ever seen. Our council majority has no interest in following laws which are intended to assure fairness and protection of the system. Instead, the operate by means of backroom deals to the detriment of the city. I can't wait to be rid of our mayor. I hate to admit that I used to be a supporter of hers.
I have a question, with the old system nothing made it through the system as far as new growth, so why is everyone so upset of now having a streamlined system? (as streamlined as govt. gets)
and this new system would be called streamlined because why? our mayor say's so? come on now. the system was not streamlined before nor is it/will it be now.
if this group truly wanted to streamline this process they would done one of or a combination of several things (1) let the folks who still had time left on their term with the experience fulfill their term instead of placing folks on there with no experience whatsoever (except for the few) (2) would have taken commissioner chris arras's suggestions that were part of his email to them (3) would have taken the advice of the dcac's recommendations for the development review process. instead they did none.....they did something that was discussed only within their circle. too bad really.
ptlmafrnd, I completely agree with all 3 of your logical bullet points. The majority council wanted their own people in there because they do not support development! It was tactless how they handled this.
You don't get development streamlined by getting rid of your planners, planning commissioners and Site Plan and Architectural Review committee. The people the City Council majority have gotten rid of are the ones who have historical and ongoing knowledge about upcoming projects and the general plan. This knowledge helps projects move through the process more quickly. By getting rid of all these people, the City Council majority has taken very purposeful steps to impede/stop all development in Petaluma. Don't believe their nonsense about streamlining development. It is a complete and total lie. If you thought things were bad before, just wait until the development process in Petaluma is controlled by contract planners, anti big-box activists and people with no qualifications to be involved in the development process other than the fact that they support the views of the council majority. The lack of development will contribute to a loss of revenue which will further worsen Petaluma's financial position. This town will be in bankruptcy within six months if something doesn't change. Remember this mess the council majority has created and is unwilling to try to remedy when you next vote!
Petaluma Rosie you hit it on the head. The long and the shot of it is the council could not stand that there was a body (SPARC) that had a legal say in the process, now all will be decided by the council. That is streamlining you once only had to go to SPARC for architectural review now it will be the planning commission then off to the council.
Surprise, surprise. Our mayor moved the Planning Commission item on the agenda to the end of the council meeting tonight. Once again, she buried a highly controversial action at the end of the agenda so when the council majority finally decides again to purge the Planning Commission of all the qualified and knowledgeable commissioners, most of Petaluma will be asleep. In the meantime, our city manager is going on and on about how there is no revenue and how he hopes some of these projects in the pipeline will be approved. He is absolutely insane if he thinks the council majority will approve any of these projects.
Obviously the Mayor and her fellow council members did not read the late attachment online. I cannot believe they moved forward with one of the new commission members based on the information provided about that person. I suggest everyone review that information. Wow!!!
360 Chatter 
I whole heartedly agree.......