Santa Rosa delays vote on fence for Church of One Tree

City renovated historic church in 2011 and rents it out for weddings, other events; fence proposed to keep out homeless who hang out in Juilliard Park.|
KEVIN MCCALLUM
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The Santa Rosa City Council has postponed until Nov. 18 a vote on the fence planned to protect the Church of One Tree in Juilliard Park.

The council was scheduled to decide Tuesday night whether to allow the Recreation and Parks Department to construct a steel fence around the former church, which the city renovated in 2011 and rents out for weddings and community events.

But the item was pulled from the agenda after city staff decided it would be better to have the council weigh in after the city’s Cultural Heritage Board meets to discuss the issue further Nov. 5.

“That way, the council doesn’t get into the design of a fence,” said Kelley Magnuson, deputy director for recreation.

Homeless people and transients hang out in the redwood grove near the historic church, making it difficult for the city to rent out the facility. The fence aims to restrict access to the former church only to those authorized to use it. Some neighbors support the proposal, while others worry that cutting off access could further isolate the area.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin McCallum at 521-5207 or kevin.mccallum@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @srcitybeat.

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