Design Review Committee Meeting

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).

Committee Members
Sierra Hart, Landscape Architect
Derik Michaelson, Chair (Items #2 & #3)
Blake Hillegas, Staff (Item #1)

Staff Members
Liz Goebel, Secretary
Derik Michaelson, Project Planner
Claudette Diaz, Project Planner
Wil Lyons, Project Planner

Disabled Accommodation 
If you have a disability which requires an accommodation or an alternative format to assist you in observing and commenting on this meeting, please contact Design Review Committee at DesignReview@sonoma-county.org by 12:00 PM Tuesday, the day before the hearing to ensure arrangements for accommodation.

Materials
Available digitally through the link in the Agenda and on the Design Review Committee website. You can also email DesignReview@sonoma-county.org or the project planner to request materials.

Agenda

View documents digitally for all items listed »

1:30 p.m. Chair Introduction

County Regular Item Item

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@sonoma-county.org to submit public comment. Provide your name, the project number, and your comment. Please note, it is advised to 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.

Please Be Respectful of others and the varying points of view. No clapping, booing, or speaking out of turn.

Please Be Courteous and turn off cell phones while the meeting is in session.