Design Review Committee Meeting
Date: January 21, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m.
In-Person Meeting Information
Members of the public can attend in person at the following location:
Permit Sonoma Hearing Room
2550 Ventura Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Webinar Information
Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting by calling in or by using the Zoom application:
Zoom: Join Meeting »
Telephone:1 (669) 444-9171
Webinar ID: 863 7601 8507
Password: 901114
Registration Required: No
The Design Review Committee (DRC) reviews and approves the design of significant new development projects, such as new commercial development. The Committee considers building and site design, architecture, colors, lighting, signs, landscaping and other design-related issues.
The Design Review Committee has three members appointed by the Director of PRMD. There is an architect, a landscape architect and one PRMD staff member. Design Review meetings are open to the public, and certain projects are reviewed at a noticed public hearing. Some decisions of the DRC can be appealed to the Planning Commission.
The Design Review Committee meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month (and as needed).
Agenda
Committee Members
Wil Lyons, Chair
Gary Helfrich, Staff
Staff Members
Liz Goebel, Secretary
Derik Michaelson, Staff
View documents digitally for all items listed »
1:30 p.m. Chair Introduction
County Regular Item
|
Item No: |
1 |
|---|---|
|
Time: |
1:30 PM |
|
File No.: |
ADR19-0089 |
|
Staff: |
Derik Michaelson |
|
Subject: |
Administrative Design Review for Valero |
|
Proposal: |
Final review of the proposed design plans for reimaging of Valero's existing service canopy fascia and associated signage fronting the Highway 116 Scenic Corridor. |
|
Applicant: |
Chris Ghanayem |
|
Location: |
3705 Hwy. 116, Sebastopol |
|
APN: |
062-031-011 |
|
District: |
4 |
|
Zoning: |
LC (Limited Commercial), RR B6 4 (Rural Residential 4-acre density), SR (Scenic Resource, Corridor) |
|
DRC Level: |
Preliminary |
|
Public Hearing: |
Yes |
|
Last Review: |
No prior DRC meeting |
|
Recommendation: |
Review the project plans for consistency with the September 17, 2025, DRC Record of Action, find the project exempt from the environmental review under CEQA Guidelines section §15302. (Replacement or Reconstruction) and approve the project as proposed or as further provided in the final Record of Action. |
|
CEQA Review: |
Categorial Exemption |
|
Item No: |
2 |
|---|---|
|
Time: |
At or after 1:35 PM |
|
File No.: |
UPE19-0072 |
|
Staff: |
Derik Michaelson |
|
Subject: |
Concept Review for a Tasting Room |
|
Proposal: |
Concept review of proposed design plans for a 2,400-square-foot tasting room facility with 3,800 square-feet of outdoor terrace and patio space, a 171-square-foot detached restroom building, and 30 formal parking spaces plus 29 overflow spaces along the frontage of a 33.39-acre vineyard and winery site comprised of two adjacent parcels. |
|
Applicant: |
Kamal Azari |
|
Location: |
1321 Spring Hill Rd., Petaluma |
|
APN: |
020-050-026 |
|
District: |
2 |
|
Zoning: |
LEA B6 (Land Extensive Agriculture, 100-acre density), RC50/50 (Riparian Corridor, 50ft setback) |
|
DRC Level: |
Preliminary |
|
Public Hearing: |
Yes |
|
Last Review: |
No prior DRC meeting |
|
Recommendation: |
Forward a recommendation to the BZA regarding the proposed site plan, architecture, parking and landscape design for the project. |
|
CEQA Review: |
Not Applicable |
Public Comments
Please follow the instructions below to submit a public comment in writing, email, or in person via the hearing room. The DRC invites interested persons to submit comments which are entered into the permanent record. Written comments received prior to and during the hearing are distributed to the commissioners, staff, and are available to the public via the public copies link in the calendar section of this agenda. Written comments received after the package is made public may be read into the record.
Email Public Comment
You may email DesignReview@sonomacounty.gov to submit public comment. Provide your name, the project number, and your comment. It is advised that you mail or email public comments in advance of the hearing date to give the commissioners and staff time to review. Emailed comments received during the hearing are distributed to the commissioners and staff but are not read out loud into the record. All public comments received prior to, during, and after the hearing are saved to the project file.
Written Public Comments
Submit letters prior to the hearing by mail addressed to:
Permit Sonoma
Attn: Design Review Committee Secretary
2550 Ventura Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Please make sure to reference the project number in your written comment.
Public Appearances for Agenda Items
DRC hearings begin at 1:30 p.m. and will be recorded. Agenda items begin on or after their designated time. After a county staff project presentation and committee questions, the public hearing is then opened. At that time, the applicant may give a 10-minute project presentation followed by public comments. The time limit for public comments is at the Chair’s discretion and is typically three minutes per speaker. Please state your name for the record when you are called upon. Questions raised by the public may be answered after all public comments are given. The Committee may request staff or the applicant to answer questions, and the applicant is given the opportunity to respond to any public comments. The public hearing is then closed, and no further public comments are received. The Committee will discuss the project and make a decision by motion and roll call vote.
Be Respectful
Please Be Respectful of others and the varying points of view. No clapping, booing, or speaking out of turn.
Be Courteous
Please Be Courteous by switching cell phones to silent while the meeting is in session.
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