I really enjoyed this article. I think having walks like this (that town residents could also attend), would be very interesting to improve knowledge of zoning law considerations.
Thank you for covering this issue. I agree that zoning rules can be changed to accommodate stylish, affordable housing. Most zoning rules were established almost a century ago and exacerbated the sprawl which has caused non-human-centered design. Everything is farther apart and distance creates cost for the city. This was partially due to industrial practices of the time that were very hazardous. Maybe it is possible to improve general parking near downtown to allow more non conforming residences.
Reading the comments and analysis of city officials was disappointing to me. The comments didn’t address many of the issues I see as a resident on N Main Street. For example: 1. Parking is a major problem despite the comments in the piece. 2. Traffic was not addressed at all. There almost zero enforcement of traffic laws. Cars constantly speed ignoring pedestrians crossing in the crosswalks. Funds starved local law enforcement is part of the problem. Lack of interest by CalTrans is another. It’s been months and months since the crosswalk project by the town square and the vacant lot being held for the imaginary hotel was started and remains incomplete. 3. Here on N Main St traffic has increased as traffic going through downtown has increased causing people to use alternate roads. 4. Merger of schools to Analy has exacerbated parking and traffic congestion while school officials contend they are not responsible for anything that occurs “off campus”.
We are studying the traffic, and there are potential solutions in the works. The CAC is very involved in working with the city and studies to address the underlying issues traffic issues. We know there is over 116k trips north to south and 64k east west along our two highways. We want to keep the flow while reducing the need for local traffic, and that is very complicated, but please know, being worked on very seriously. We know that after the traffic light at the corner of Bodega and Main, street design communicates to drivers to that is ok to drive faster until Fircrest Market. We can change that. The CalTrans Grant to study downtown traffic is ongoing and there will be an update later this fall. The city staff are looking at other ways to slow traffic near the Pacific Market area with traffic circles suggested.
I would love to know your opinions about traffic speed cameras and slower speed limits through town. I would also like to know where you think parking is best, what are your thoughts? The CVS parking lot and the lot beside the HopMonk are available but feel removed. There was strong input from residents and BikeSebastopol and the Climate Action Committee and Planning to the Active Transportation Study. This report will update later this fall and has had input specific to traffic around Analy.
The speed demons on Main Street should definitely be addressed with speed traps on a daily/weekly basis. Just roll out the tickets and it won,t take long to get speed demons under control. Don,t punish us all with traffic lessening measures, deleted lanes and islands.
When supposedly, long term planning is a goal when considering companies building apartments, putting parking beneath a building is ignored. Yes, it costs to design and build underground parking, but there are costs to wasting buildable surface spaces for parking too.
Cheap initial cost for a builder seems to overrule long term value to the central business district.
The tax payers of Sebastopol are in essence subsidizing the developer by both getting a less prudent building and loss of revenue from what might have been built on what the developer want for parking.
Really appreciate this article and support zoning reforms in a small town which has few developable properties left, is desirable for many, and has the potential to create more affordable housing units on these existing lots.
Traffic is definitely a concern, with the very high numbers of vehicles entering from all four directions and no signs of slowing down. I live on an alternate route street (Elphick Road), and the traffic using this road to bypass the gluts on highways 12 and 116 has grown and continues to increase.
City Council’s decision, years ago, to add generous bike lanes along Petaluma Avenue, and reduce it to one lane, although
At this present moment in time, a town like Sebastopol, located where it is, seems to almost require every adult resident to have use of a car. Of the people on the walking tour who bemoaned that each new two bedroom apartment requires two parking spots, I have some questions. Do you own a car? If you have a partner who lives with you, does he or she own a car? Where are your cars and the cars of your guests and Sebastopols visitors supposed to park? There is limited street parking and very few public parking lots in Sebastopol. Before we build four story homes without adequate parking perhaps we need to consider building four story parking. It's difficult to ride a bike from Sebastopol to Kaiser. Just sayin.
I really enjoyed this article. I think having walks like this (that town residents could also attend), would be very interesting to improve knowledge of zoning law considerations.
Thank you for covering this issue. I agree that zoning rules can be changed to accommodate stylish, affordable housing. Most zoning rules were established almost a century ago and exacerbated the sprawl which has caused non-human-centered design. Everything is farther apart and distance creates cost for the city. This was partially due to industrial practices of the time that were very hazardous. Maybe it is possible to improve general parking near downtown to allow more non conforming residences.
Reading the comments and analysis of city officials was disappointing to me. The comments didn’t address many of the issues I see as a resident on N Main Street. For example: 1. Parking is a major problem despite the comments in the piece. 2. Traffic was not addressed at all. There almost zero enforcement of traffic laws. Cars constantly speed ignoring pedestrians crossing in the crosswalks. Funds starved local law enforcement is part of the problem. Lack of interest by CalTrans is another. It’s been months and months since the crosswalk project by the town square and the vacant lot being held for the imaginary hotel was started and remains incomplete. 3. Here on N Main St traffic has increased as traffic going through downtown has increased causing people to use alternate roads. 4. Merger of schools to Analy has exacerbated parking and traffic congestion while school officials contend they are not responsible for anything that occurs “off campus”.
I could go on but that’s sufficient.
We are studying the traffic, and there are potential solutions in the works. The CAC is very involved in working with the city and studies to address the underlying issues traffic issues. We know there is over 116k trips north to south and 64k east west along our two highways. We want to keep the flow while reducing the need for local traffic, and that is very complicated, but please know, being worked on very seriously. We know that after the traffic light at the corner of Bodega and Main, street design communicates to drivers to that is ok to drive faster until Fircrest Market. We can change that. The CalTrans Grant to study downtown traffic is ongoing and there will be an update later this fall. The city staff are looking at other ways to slow traffic near the Pacific Market area with traffic circles suggested.
I would love to know your opinions about traffic speed cameras and slower speed limits through town. I would also like to know where you think parking is best, what are your thoughts? The CVS parking lot and the lot beside the HopMonk are available but feel removed. There was strong input from residents and BikeSebastopol and the Climate Action Committee and Planning to the Active Transportation Study. This report will update later this fall and has had input specific to traffic around Analy.
Further input is very welcome. https://scta.ca.gov/planning/countywide-active-transportation-plan/
Anyone can feel free to contact me directly through phill @ phillcarter.com
Yes, traffic circles/round abouts!
The speed demons on Main Street should definitely be addressed with speed traps on a daily/weekly basis. Just roll out the tickets and it won,t take long to get speed demons under control. Don,t punish us all with traffic lessening measures, deleted lanes and islands.
When supposedly, long term planning is a goal when considering companies building apartments, putting parking beneath a building is ignored. Yes, it costs to design and build underground parking, but there are costs to wasting buildable surface spaces for parking too.
Cheap initial cost for a builder seems to overrule long term value to the central business district.
The tax payers of Sebastopol are in essence subsidizing the developer by both getting a less prudent building and loss of revenue from what might have been built on what the developer want for parking.
Made with good intentions, has contributed to the glut of traffic flow through the city.
Really appreciate this article and support zoning reforms in a small town which has few developable properties left, is desirable for many, and has the potential to create more affordable housing units on these existing lots.
Traffic is definitely a concern, with the very high numbers of vehicles entering from all four directions and no signs of slowing down. I live on an alternate route street (Elphick Road), and the traffic using this road to bypass the gluts on highways 12 and 116 has grown and continues to increase.
City Council’s decision, years ago, to add generous bike lanes along Petaluma Avenue, and reduce it to one lane, although
At this present moment in time, a town like Sebastopol, located where it is, seems to almost require every adult resident to have use of a car. Of the people on the walking tour who bemoaned that each new two bedroom apartment requires two parking spots, I have some questions. Do you own a car? If you have a partner who lives with you, does he or she own a car? Where are your cars and the cars of your guests and Sebastopols visitors supposed to park? There is limited street parking and very few public parking lots in Sebastopol. Before we build four story homes without adequate parking perhaps we need to consider building four story parking. It's difficult to ride a bike from Sebastopol to Kaiser. Just sayin.