Permit Sonoma publishes Draft Environmental Impact Report for rezoning sites to meet Sonoma County's housing needs

Permit Sonoma published a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that analyzed the environmental impact of potentially rezoning up to 59 sites for housing. Releasing the Draft EIR is a critical step in rezoning parcels to meet Sonoma County's share of its Regional Housing Needs Allocation and to comply with state housing laws.

"Publishing a Draft EIR is an important milestone as we look to address Sonoma County's housing crisis," said Tennis Wick, Director of Permit Sonoma. "We look forward to working with the community to responsibly add infill development to meet the County's housing needs."

The County of Sonoma anticipates needing to accommodate an additional 3,881 homes over the next 10 years. The Draft EIR analyzes the environmental impact of potentially rezoning up to 59 sites in unincorporated Sonoma County to accommodate the county's housing needs.

A public review period for the Draft EIR began April 19 and will end June 18, after which the Final EIR will be prepared. During this time, a public hearing with the Planning Commission will be held to accept comments. All interested parties are also invited to submit comments in writing. For more information, please visit the project website, sonomacounty.ca.gov/PermitSonoma/HousingSites, or contact the project planner at Nina.Bellucci@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-1236.

Permit Sonoma will be conducting outreach during the summer and fall of 2021. County staff will then present its recommendations for site rezoning to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Decision-makers are expected to review the project in late 2021 and early 2022.

The Draft EIR can be found on Permit Sonoma's website.