About this page

Sebastopol is currently developing a NEAP plan that would drastically change the face of Sebastopol (and remove key provisions of its General Plan). Bold claims are being made about the plan, both in terms of economic and ecological benefits.

>> Unfortunately, there's a serious gap between its hopes and its realities, risking instead serious downsides both economically and ecologically for our precious town.

The vast majority of citizens who testified recently about the plan spoke against it, offering intelligent and vital analysis of the ways it's realities don't match it's claims. Many offered options and solutions that would better reach those goals. Will the Councilmembers finally hear, avoiding disaster and creating a smarter path? We hope that, with enough citizen pressure, enough will.

>> To support that end, I've pulled together my thoughts and gathered together some other citizen comments that I feel make good points. There were many other great comments; this is just what I found online.

>> I invite folks who've written additional comments to email me the text or link for possible inclusion on this page. My email is at <info [at] healthyworld.org>

>> This webpage has 3 sections: Links to my comments; Links to others' comments; and Links to City Plan documents.

I hope that this is helpful, supporting Council deliberations that integrate the many insightful comments of Sebastopol's citizens, and reflect both the realities of this site and democratic choice. I hope that as a result a truly wise and citizen-chosen plan is created for this area of our unique and special town.

- Patricia Dines

* Article - In the West County Gazette, July 2008, page 1 - View it on this webpage and here

* Essay, one page - The key points from the article, without the news introduction - View it on this webpage; it's also available as a PDF, to copy for others

* Letter to City Council - Expanded exploration of the essay points plus additional ones - download at 7/14/08 letter to the City Council (PDF file).

* Letters in response to my July 2008 WCG article.

* NEAP & the November Sebastopol City Council election - See my Bohemian column "Adventures in Eco-Voting"

* ELECTION RESULTS
- Press Democrat report - Opponents of Sebastopol redevelopment plan lead
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081104/NEWS/811040230

I did some research on New Urbanism (a key model being used by proponents of the current NEA Plan) and found that other analysts have concerns about its downsides. This webpage has some of the information that I gathered, which I thought you might find of interest.

It's interesting how they make some of the same points that local residents have discovered in assessing it here, confirming our concerns.

Note: I'm not against NU per se. As theory and principles, it can be an interesting part of the conversation. I just object to it being considered gospel to be applied blindly (and dictatorially, against our will), as if it were always true without any provisos, and with grand claims and promises that might not be true in a particular spot.

www.healthyworld.org/ConcernsNU.html

More citizen perspectives - At Candidate Guy Wilson's website, click on Public Forum.

July 2008 - Paying the Piper, West County Gazette - Kevin Dwan analyzes the millions NEAP will cost City taxpayers - much of it up-front, before any of the hoped-for revenue to the City. This includes what's stated in the Plan and significantly more that's mentioned but not calculated. This is especially of concern at a time when government budgets are tight and the City is planning to charge a hefty new utility surtax. Shouldn't we know the up-front costs before embarking on this? (PD NOTE: And doesn't this up-front cost to the City demand that we make sure the approach is viable before we gamble so much of our money on it?) (PDF file)

June 2008 - Oh, What a Night, West County Gazette - Magick enthusiastically reports on the citizen testimony at the June 3 Sebastopol City Council meeting (nearly all who expressed concerns about the NEAP)

June 30, 2008 - The Sustainability Myth in Sebastopol, Press Democrat, Opinion - Holly Downing questions if this plan is really green

June 20, 2008 - Lessons Not Learned, Press Democrat, Letter - about building in floodplains

June 13, 2008 - Let's Have Another Plan, Sonoma West, Letter

May 21, 2008 - If You Build It: Questioning the Wisdom of Sebastopol's Northeast Plan, North Bay Bohemian, Column By Gianna De Persiis Vona

May 20, 2008 - Last Chance on NEAP, West County Gazette (at the webpage, download pages 22 and 23)

March 29, 2008 - LITE the way, Sonoma West, Letter - Sandy Eastoak speaks stirringly about plans that could align with the earth

March 13, 2008 - 'Faulty Vision' Seen by Preservation Coalition, Sonoma West, Commentary - Group of writers expresses concerns and offers options

Feb. 28, 2008 - Just Say "No" to Manhattanization, Sonoma West, Column By Guy Wilson

Jan. 31, 2008 - GP Amendments, Sonoma West, Letter - Seven authors of the General Plan call for community discussion before key changes proposed

* Plan itself - Revised Draft <www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us/pdfs/planning/RevDraft NEPlan2-2008.pdf>

* Draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report) <www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us/pdfs/planning/NE Draft EIR 8-10-07.pdf>

+ Plus Final EIR (but it's actually only additional information, so it needs to be read with the Draft EIR) <www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us/pdfs/planning/FinalEIR NEPlan2-2008.pdf>

* NEA Market Study (economic analysis) <www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us/pdfs/planning/Final NEArea Market Study Dec 06.pdf>

>> The City's other official documents are at <www.ci.sebastopol.ca.us/planning.shtml#northeast>

This entire website is (c) Community Action Publications, 1998-2008. All rights reserved.
Page last updated 11/08/08
www.healthyworld.org/ABetterNEAP.html