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Permit Sonoma announces cannabis program update scoping meeting
Permit Sonoma will host a Comprehensive Cannabis Program Update meeting via Zoom on March 8 to solicit feedback on the scope of the proposed environmental review for the County of Sonoma’s planned cannabis program update. The Comprehensive Cannabis Program Update Environmental Impact Report will evaluate the impacts of policy proposals that could guide the future regulation of Sonoma County’s cannabis industry including its cultivation permitting process. Read full story
Permit Sonoma publishes draft environmental report for county housing plan update
Permit Sonoma announced today that it has published the draft Environmental Impact Report for the most recent version of Sonoma County General Plan’s Housing Element. The report analyzes the environmental impact of the county’s housing policies and programs and proposed rezoning of up to 59 sites for housing. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves transformative plans to redevelop Sonoma Developmental Center
A Specific Plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center has been approved by the Board of Supervisors, one that calls for the permanent protection of hundreds of acres of open space, building hundreds of units of affordable and workforce housing, provides living wage jobs and creates a walkable community with neighborhood-serving businesses. Read full story
Sonoma County adopts updated state building codes with local amendments
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted this week to adopt the California Model Building Codes, which includes requiring the use of electric appliances exclusively in most new residential construction. Read full story
Permit Sonoma announces Equity Working Committee membership
Permit Sonoma today announced the names of 20 individuals selected for a new Equity Working Committee designed to help shape land-use planning through an equity lens. More than 125 people applied to participate on the committee that will assist in developing Permit Sonoma and Sonoma County’s environmental justice policies and risk-reduction planning for wildfire and other hazards by centering the expertise of under-resourced communities. Read full story
Sonoma County receives first $5.7 million of FEMA grant to reduce risk of wildfire
Sonoma County received an award of $5.7 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the California Office of Emergency Services for Wildfire Resilient Sonoma County, a wildfire risk reduction program. The $37 million Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant announced for the County of Sonoma represents one of only two such wildfire resiliency grant projects funded nationally to date. Read full story
Permit Sonoma announces review meetings for Sonoma County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan
Permit Sonoma, Sonoma County’s fire prevention and natural resources management department, is inviting the public to attend one of two community meetings to learn more about and provide comments on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan or CWPP. The Community Wildfire Protection Plan contains hazard and risk analyses and, using a collaborative model, suggests projects that can efficiently reduce the risk of loss of life, property loss and environment. Read full story
Permit Sonoma announces policy and technical working groups for well ordinance update
Permit Sonoma, Sonoma County’s natural resources management department, today announced the formation of technical and policy working groups to assist staff in revising the county’s well ordinance. The two working groups will have a joint inaugural meeting that will be open to the public on Nov. 17 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Read full story
Planning Commission votes to recommend plans for redevelopment of the Sonoma Developmental Center
The Sonoma County Planning Commission on Monday recommended plans to guide the redevelopment of the Sonoma Developmental Center. The Planning Commission voted 4 to 1 to recommend changes to the SDC Specific Plan. Read full story
County of Sonoma seeks public feedback on newly published draft housing plan
The County of Sonoma’s planning and permitting department is seeking public feedback over the next 30 days on a draft update to the Housing Element of the Sonoma County General Plan. The update represents the county’s goals, objectives and policies that lead to the creation of adequate housing for people of all income levels in Sonoma County for the years 2023 through 2031. Read full story