Newport Beach developer EKN pulled the Petaluma "Housing and Economic Opportunity" overlay off of the Petaluma City Council agenda Dec. 4th.  Why?

Upset residents of Petaluma want to see this developer make a sincere effort to understand our concerns about changing our zoning and amending our General Plan without data to support it.  Most can't see any mitigation measures to offset the significant impacts to the historic downtown of Petaluma changing from 45 ft to 70 ft buildings.  The jump from 3 story to 6 story or more is significant in a small historic city relative to mass, scale, parking, traffic, demands on city services and more.  

Citizens want a more open process and hope for a full EIR that will disclose all analysis including a real assessment of the impact on the historic beauty of some of the best architecture West of the Mississippi.  What might the true economic impacts be for the City?  How does the city solve parking and traffic problems created by a luxury hotel?  Can the city support hotel rooms over $700 per night?  Is this hotel even realistic?  How will housing roll out in the overlay area and what will its impact be?  Demands on City services - who about police and fire and sewer and water?   On and on the list goes with unanswered questions.

We challenge our City Council to take their time, to properly analyze the implications of all changes proposed to our community and to engage with the citizens to honestly listen to concerns and to respond to them.  

Do the right thing.  In the words of former Mayor Helen Putnam - Be Fair!  This is a legacy decision that must be made in the most considerate way and this is why you were elected - to show thoughtful and cooperative engagement with your community!