Williams-Sonoma gets OK for retail, events at Sonoma store

Williams-Sonoma won’t have to pack up the furniture on display in the former home and garden of its founder, Chuck Williams.

The luxe kitchenware retailer has received approval from Sonoma city planning officials to continue to use the space for retail. It also will be allowed to temporarily hold special events for up to 80 people at the store at 605 Broadway, the same spot where Williams launched the business in 1956.

“We’re pleased with the outcome. We appreciate the commission supported us,” said Carrie Crespo-Dixon, a spokeswoman for Williams-Sonoma, of the Thursday decision. The company plans to hold wine tastings, monthly markets featuring local foods and wares, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and corporate gatherings at the site.

Commissioners narrowly approved the special events, voting 4-3, with Chairman Bill Willers and Commissioners Mark Heneveld and Michael Coleman in opposition.

Willers said he had no problem with the home and garden being turned into retail space. However, he said, “I have a very big concern over turning this into a corporate-event playground.”

Commissioner James Cribb argued the events would bring in more customers for businesses and hotels in the city. “It still supports the community in a strong way,” he said.

He also argued the residents were “overstating” the potential impacts to traffic and noise.

“We have 30-some events every year on the Plaza that involve thousands of people,” Cribb said. “And we learned to live with it.”

Under the conditional agreement, the retailer will be allowed to hold up to 12 midsize events with no more than 60 people and three large events with no more than 80 guests over the next year. After that, it must come back to the commission, which will evaluate the impact the events had on the neighborhood and decide whether to let them continue.

Williams-Sonoma also will be required to provide off-street valet parking for the events. It also must notify neighboring businesses and residents and other interested parties two weeks prior to each event.

“If we’re not having to make a permanent decision on this, I’m willing to give them some latitude,” said Commissioner Chip Roberson, who voted in favor of allowing the events on a trial basis.

Events won’t be allowed on Sundays.

“The folks across the street would appreciate it, I’m sure, a little day of rest,” Willers said.

In a separate vote, commissioners voted 5-1 to allow the home and garden to be used as retail space, despite several residents who urged the seven-member board to deny it, saying it wasn’t the project that was sold to the community two years ago. Heneveld opposed the change, while Roberson abstained from voting.

“It’s not a tribute to Chuck Williams at all,” said Regina Baker, who lives nearby on First Street West.

“They had done 180 degrees from their first intention,” she argued. “We need to keep them honest.”

However, former Mayor Tom Rouse argued the store is a good asset for the community.

“I believe we need to embrace some of the stuff they have been asking for. They’ve been good stewards,” he said during the public hearing.

“We should all be very happy that Chuck Williams came home,” Rouse added.

Williams-Sonoma originally intended to use the home as an overnight retreat for chefs, executives and other visitors, but company representatives said their vision changed as the site was restored. The retailer approached planning commissioner about changing its use permit in April, seven months after the store opened.

“I apologize, as we got ahead of ourselves in all the excitement to open for Chuck Williams’ 99th birthday,” Bud Cope, the company senior vice president of store development, said during the meeting on Thursday.

“We always intended to get approval for this expanded use,” Cope added. “I know this might seem a little dubious, but that’s not our intention.”

Commissioners, who were upset about finding out about the changes during the grand-opening celebration, raised concerns about the number and size of the special events in April. The store was seeking permission to hold 15 “midsize” events, with up to 75 guests, a year and larger events with as many as 100 people up to four times a year. As a result, the retailer reduced the number and size of events it was requesting by 20 percent.

You can reach Staff Writer Eloísa Ruano González at 521-5458 or eloisa.gonzalez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @eloisanews.