TranslatePress Release Index
Permit Sonoma seeking applicants for Equity Working Committee
Permit Sonoma is seeking applications from the public for its new Equity Working Committee. Members of the Equity Working Committee will help shape 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. Applications will be accepted until November 4, 2022. Read full story
Permit Sonoma releases final redevelopment plans for Sonoma Developmental Center
Permit Sonoma has released the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Specific Plan that will guide the redevelopment of the Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC). The final Specific Plan incorporated public comments to the draft that enhance protection for the more than 700 acres of open space and ensure that affordable housing is built before or at the same time as the market-rate housing. Read full story
Permit Sonoma launches 24/7 vacation rental complaint hotline
Permit Sonoma announced today the launch of a new vacation rental complaint hotline to assist neighbors and ensure compliance with vacation rental regulations. The hotline will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to improve the experience for neighbors and others who seek to report vacation rental ordinance violations. Read full story
Board of Supervisors adopts well drilling moratorium
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved a moratorium for new well permits until April 4, 2023 in Sonoma County to allow staff more time to develop recommendations for updating the county’s well ordinance. The board also directed Permit Sonoma, Sonoma County’s natural resources and permitting agency, to establish a Technical Advisory Committee to make recommendations for implementing Public Trust Review requirements. Read full story
Permit Sonoma Fire Prevention to close Chipper Program applications for 2022
Permit Sonoma Fire Prevention Division announced that it will be closing seasonal applications for its Curbside Chipper Program on Oct. 1, 2022. The service supports residents of unincorporated Sonoma County in creating defensible space around their homes, neighboring roadsides and reduces vegetation along access routes. Read full story
Coastal Conservancy approves $250,000 grant to begin plans for Climate Adaptation Center in Sonoma Developmental Center redevelopment
The California State Coastal Conservancy has approved a grant of up to $250,000 to the County of Sonoma for exploring the creation of a Climate Adaptation Center at the Sonoma Developmental Center development. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves $360,000 contract for wildfire structural hardening assessments
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted today to approve a $361,034 contract with Wildfire Defense Works to provide structural hardening assessments in pre-identified project locations throughout the county. Wildfire Defense Works will perform between 250 to 1,000 structural hardening assessments for Permit Sonoma’s Wildfire Adapted program. The contract is a portion of the $2.6 million in grant funding received by the county as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Read full story
Planning Commission to hold hearing on draft Environmental Impact Report for Sonoma Developmental Center
The Sonoma County Planning Commission will hold a hearing and seek public feedback on the draft Environmental Impact Report and draft specific plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center on Sept. 15, 2022 at 1 p.m. The draft Environmental Impact Report evaluated a proposed specific plan for the Sonoma Developmental Center site, two lower density alternatives, and two scenarios where the county doesn’t proceed with a project in 16 key areas of the property. Read full story
Permit Sonoma announces new revisions to draft well permit ordinance
Permit Sonoma today announced revisions to a proposal the Board of Supervisors will consider on Tuesday, Oct. 4, that seeks to enact new standards for drilling wells in Sonoma County. Read full story
Board of Supervisors to hold draft Local Coastal Plan Update workshop
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is set to hold a workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 30 to review and seek public comment on the Planning Commission Recommended Draft of the Local Coastal Plan Update. The proposed Local Coastal Plan Update will be the first update in 20 years and will be considered for adoption by the board on Oct. 4. Read full story