Density called key to growth plan

The Sebastopol City Council kicked off deliberations of a controversial redevelopment plan Tuesday with a majority of members voicing support for higher-density buildings as the most environmentally sound approach.

"Density is what makes transit feasible, giving us the option of getting out of our cars," said Councilman Larry Robinson.

He called the proposed Northeast Area Specific Plan a compromise, but said it reflected the vision put forth by a majority of residents who took part in five years of meetings.

Mayor Craig Litwin and Councilwoman Jen Thille gave similar support to the plan's approach for higher-density housing for the town's former apple-packing district.

Council members Sarah Glade Gurney and Linda Kelley, meanwhile, asked whether the council might put the plan up to a public vote.

Council members noted the intense feelings and contention surrounding the plan.

"This is very, very divisive, even on our council," Kelley told the audience of more than 100 people.

After five years of work and three lengthy public hearings, council members held the first meeting on whether to approve the redevelopment plan and a related environmental report.

The council took no formal action, but instead made introductory comments and asked questions.

City staff members said they will be able to answer some of those questions at a July 15 meeting.

City Manager David Brennan said the council might end up discussing the plan at both of its regular meetings in August as well.

The redevelopment plan would allow 300 residential units and nearly 400,000 square feet of new business and civic space between the Laguna de Santa Rosa and downtown.

Supporters have said the plan encourages the most environmentally sound method of development and would help add economic vitality to the city.

But critics have said the plan encourages too much growth, too much traffic and that buildings of up to four stories high are out of character with the city.

Staff members Tuesday suggested 15 possible changes in response to critics' concerns.

One would require a use permit for any new grocery store, and possibly require a report evaluating the economic impact on the community from any such store over 10,000 square feet. Critics, including owners of two local markets, note that Sebastopol already has five supermarkets, plus a large grocery stand on the edge of town.

Other staff suggestions related to building heights, traffic, water use and whether to require some of the proposed residential units to fall under existing rules that limit the number of building permits issued each year.

Helen Shane, a plan critic, said support by the three council members for higher-density housing didn't mean the final plan would take such an approach.

But, to varying degrees, the three council members argued that the plan's approach was key to fighting global warming by reducing reliance on automobiles.

"I do believe that we have to move toward higher densities, and we have to get out of our cars," said Thille.

You can reach Staff Writer Robert Digitale at 521-5285 or robert.digitale@pressdemocrat

.com.