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Hey West County,
Spring is springing—and with it, a whole lot of movement across our corner of Sonoma County. Buds are blooming, daylight’s stretching, and our calendars are starting to fill up with everything from public hearings to community workshops. (Also: potholes. So many potholes.)
This month’s newsletter covers a lot—from road repairs to phone service access, airplane noise, and more. Some of it’s nitty-gritty, but all of it connects back to the same big questions: How do we build a safer, more connected, more livable Sonoma County? And how do we make sure the people who live here now have a real say in what comes next?
Whether you’re tuning in to a Zoom meeting from the kitchen table or showing up in person to speak your piece, I just want to say thank you. You make this work matter.
Let’s dig in!
~ Lynda
| | April 10: Public Meeting on Proposed Updates to the Planning and Project Review Process | | |
Sonoma County is considering significant updates to land use hearing procedures—and the next opportunity to learn more and share feedback is coming up soon. The Planning Agency will review the proposed changes on Wednesday, April 10, as part of an ongoing effort to streamline Permit Sonoma’s processes and enhance transparency.
These updates, first reviewed by the Board of Supervisors in February, stem from a 2023 management review of Permit Sonoma. Key proposed changes include:
- Creating a Zoning Administrator to hold public hearings on minor land use projects
- Dissolving the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) and Project Review and Advisory Committee (PRAC)
- Shifting major project reviews to the Planning Commission
- Eliminating the hearing waiver process to ensure all discretionary projects receive a public hearing
- Updating timelines for permit expiration and establishing a process to close out inactive applications
The Board of Supervisors will take up the item again for final consideration on May 6. In the meantime, community members are encouraged to review the materials and participate in the April 10 meeting.
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Landline Access & Public Safety:
Provide Input to CPUC
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In our last newsletter, we shared concerns about AB 470, a bill that would make it easier for telephone companies to walk away from their Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) obligations—potentially leaving rural and disaster-prone communities without reliable landline service. That bill raised major alarms about public safety, equity, and access to essential communications.
Now, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is holding a series of in-person and virtual public forums as part of its broader COLR proceeding—a review process that could reshape what essential phone service looks like in California.
COLR rules currently ensure that all residents and businesses, even in rural or underserved areas, can request reliable, affordable basic telephone service. The CPUC is seeking public input as it considers whether to modernize or change these critical protections.
Upcoming Hearings:
- Virtual: Wednesday, April 17 at 2:00 PM
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In-Person in Santa Rosa: Tuesday, April 30 at 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM
| | Help Shape the Future of Housing and Community Development in Sonoma County | | |
The Sonoma County Community Development Commission is launching a major planning effort—and your voice is essential.
Every five years, the Commission develops what’s known as a Consolidated Plan—a roadmap for how millions of dollars in federal funding will be invested in affordable housing, neighborhood improvements, and vital local services. From safe housing to public infrastructure to the programs that support our most vulnerable neighbors, this plan sets the direction for how resources are used to strengthen our communities.
Whether you’re a renter, a homeowner, a business owner, or someone who simply cares about the future of Sonoma County—your input matters. Your lived experience helps shape priorities and guide the outcomes we want to see over the next five years.
Upcoming Opportunities to Learn More & Share Your Voice:
📍 In-Person Workshop
Tuesday, April 8 · 6:30–8 p.m.
Permit Sonoma, 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa
(Spanish interpretation available)
💻 Online Community Meeting
Tuesday, April 15 – English only
Join via Zoom
This is more than a plan—it’s a shared vision for the future of Sonoma County. The decisions made today will shape the homes, neighborhoods, and support systems we all rely on for years to come.
Let’s make sure this vision reflects the real needs—and bold hopes—of our community.
| | How Should Sonoma County Address Risk and Equity? Draft Safety and Environmental Justice Plans Now Open for Comment | | |
Sonoma County is updating key parts of its General Plan to better reflect the challenges and priorities of today—and your voice is part of that process.
As required by state law and shaped by community engagement, Permit Sonoma has developed draft versions of the updated Safety Element and a new Environmental Justice Element. These updates aim to modernize public safety policies and promote healthier, more equitable outcomes for communities that have historically faced environmental and economic burdens.
In July 2024, the Board of Supervisors held a public workshop to review early policy ideas and provide direction. Community input gathered throughout the planning process—including presentations at the September 2024 Lower Russian River MAC meeting and virtual outreach to the Coast MAC—also informed the development of the draft documents.
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Public Review Period: March 28 – April 30, 2025
Now is the time to read, reflect, and share your thoughts.
How To Share Your Feedback
Take the Online Surveys
Join a Virtual Workshop
Environmental Justice Element Workshop
Wednesday, April 22 · 6:00–7:30 PM
🔗 Register here
Safety Element Workshop
Wednesday, April 23 · 6:00–7:30 PM
🔗 Register here
Submit Written Comments:
Email your input to GeneralPlan@sonoma-county.org. Your comments will be part of the public record and shared with decision-makers at future hearings.
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When Airplane Noise Interrupts Daily Life:
How to Make Your Voice Heard
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For many neighbors, the sound of overhead planes can intrude on an otherwise quiet moment—whether it’s a morning walk, a phone call in the yard, or simply enjoying time with family. If you’ve been noticing it more often, and are wondering how to speak up in a meaningful way, there’s a clear path forward.
The most effective way to share your experience is by submitting a noise complaint directly to the airport. You can do this online at stsgoodneighbor.com/noise-complaints or by calling 707-565-7243. While it’s easy to assume a single report won’t make a difference, in this case, it truly does. Each complaint is documented and folded into reports reviewed by airport staff and the FAA. These records help identify patterns and guide potential changes.
If you're able to include details like the time, direction, or type of aircraft, it makes a big difference. The FlightRadar24 app is a helpful tool for identifying planes overhead. But even if you’re just sharing general impressions, a phone call goes a long way.
This process may not lead to instant results, but every report helps build a clearer understanding of what our community is experiencing. Your input adds to a growing record of lived experience—one that can help shape smarter, more responsive flight paths in the future.
| | Final Days to Share Your Vision for Monte Rio Redwoods – Survey Closes Friday | | |
There’s still time to help shape the future of Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park—but not much. The community survey to guide the park’s long-range planning closes this Friday, April 11, and every voice matters.
This 515-acre forested preserve—rich with redwoods, rare plants, and salmon-bearing creeks—is being shaped with input from the very people who know and love this stretch of West County best. Whether you walk the trails, live nearby, or simply care about preserving open space, your feedback will help guide decisions about trails, picnic areas, educational spaces, and habitat protection.
This is a unique opportunity to help shape a regional park from the ground up. Let’s make sure the future of Monte Rio Redwoods reflects the values and voices of our West County communities.
| | Forestville Town Hall Highlights | | |
On March 27, neighbors gathered for a lively Forestville Town Hall filled with community updates, local connections, and conversations about the future. Representatives from the Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) introduced themselves and shared how they serve as local liaisons for Forestville and Hacienda.
County staff presented plans for bike and pedestrian improvements along Mirabel Road, while Caltrans provided updates on the permitting process and timeline for the Front Street project. Community organizations including the Forestville Planning Association and Chamber of Commerce also shared updates.
Even though schools are not overseen by the Board of Supervisors, the evening included an overview from the West Sonoma County High School District on current and future educational offerings at the El Molino campus—home to Laguna Continuation High School and the upcoming non-comprehensive Academy of Innovative Arts, set to launch in Fall 2025. Attendees also heard about a community-led initiative, championed by Forestville Elementary and local residents, to explore unifying West County schools and reopening El Molino as a comprehensive high school.
Open discussion brought forward additional concerns, including road safety and the closure of Wohler Bridge—issues that are priorities for Supervisor Hopkins and members of the public.
Many neighbors stopped by early or lingered after the program to visit information tables hosted by local organizations, sparking meaningful conversations and building connections.
📺 Watch the speaker portion on YouTube
📄 Read the meeting summary
📬 Have thoughts or questions?
Reach us at District5@sonoma-county.org
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a success.
| | Wohler Bridge Closure & Westside Road Repairs Key Budget Vote on April 15 | | |
As many residents are now experiencing firsthand, Wohler Bridge officially closed on April 1 to make way for long-planned seismic safety improvements. The closure, while disruptive, was driven by a firm deadline from the California Transportation Commission tied to $17 million in "use-it-or-lose-it" funding. With permits also set to expire, the County had no choice but to move forward to secure the resources needed for this vital infrastructure upgrade.
At the same time, the closure has intensified concerns about detour impacts—especially for those relying on Westside Road as an alternate route. In response, County staff explored several temporary options, including a Bailey Bridge and a one-lane retaining wall. Unfortunately, supply chain issues with steel and high costs for short-term fixes made those options infeasible or fiscally unwise.
Instead, the County is pushing ahead with a permanent fix—and fast. On Tuesday, April 15, the Board of Supervisors will consider a budget item that includes $1.5 million to repair Westside Road, as part of a larger $5 million allocation. The engineering is complete, permits are in place, and because this is classified as emergency work, the County can move directly to contracting without a lengthy bid process. Contractors are already being contacted so work can begin as soon as funding is approved.
The goal: to complete repairs on Westside Road within 2–3 months, minimizing disruption and, crucially, avoiding a double closure during fire season. County staff are coordinating closely with emergency services to ensure detour routes remain viable and public safety remains the top priority.
Thank you to the community for your ongoing patience as we navigate this challenging stretch. April 15 is a key step forward—one that brings us closer to reopening critical routes and restoring safe, reliable access for all.
| | Stabilizing the Slope on Highway 1: One-Way Traffic Now in Effect | | |
If you're headed along Highway 1, about three miles east of Bodega Bay, you'll notice a new addition: a temporary traffic signal managing one-way traffic. This change marks the beginning of a major slope stabilization project following a significant slide last December.
Triggered by days of heavy rainfall, the slide occurred on December 18, when a nearby creek overflowed and eroded the base of the slope supporting the southbound lane—despite prior reinforcement with rock. The result was a compromised roadway that now requires substantial repair.
Caltrans has launched a $5 million effort to build a retaining wall to stabilize the slope and ensure long-term safety for travelers. The work is underway, and while the timeline stretches into September 2025, the light-controlled one-way traffic system will remain in place throughout construction. We appreciate the community’s patience as this critical work moves forward—bringing with it safer passage through this coastal stretch shaped by water, weather, and time.
| | Thank You, Cazadero! Fire Safety Work Complete | | |
Thank you to the Cazadero community for your patience during recent vegetation management work. Crews from Sonoma County Public Infrastructure and PG&E recently removed several large redwoods near Hahn Road to reduce wildfire risk and improve safety along the corridor.
We appreciate everyone’s understanding during the temporary road closure and any disruption it may have caused. This work is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community safety and emergency preparedness throughout the region.
| | Experiencing Issues with a Vacation Rental? Here’s How to Submit a Complaint | | |
If you’re having a problem with a vacation rental in unincorporated Sonoma County, there’s a clear process to follow that helps ensure issues are documented—and addressed. Your detailed input helps County staff respond effectively and ensures vacation rentals operate responsibly in our neighborhoods.
⚠️ Safety First: If there is an emergency or you feel unsafe, call 911 immediately. Do not approach the situation directly.
Step 1: Contact the Property Manager
Vacation rentals are required to have a 24/7 local contact. To find the property manager’s phone number:
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Visit the Permit History Lookup Tool and enter the property address.
- Look for permits labeled “Vacation Rental.” The property manager’s contact number will be listed in the description.
If you believe a rental is operating without a permit, please report it via SoCo Connect under Code Enforcement > Code Compliance.
Step 2: Wait for a Timely Response
Property managers are required to contact renters and resolve the issue:
- Within 1 hour during regular hours
- Within 30 minutes during quiet hours (9:00 PM to 7:00 AM)
Step 3: Submit a Formal Complaint
If the problem isn’t resolved in time—or you never hear back—call the Vacation Rental Complaint Hotline at (707) 875-6619. This line is open 24/7 and operated by a third-party contractor on behalf of Permit Sonoma.
When submitting your complaint, please provide:
- The exact address of the rental
- The date and time of the incident
- The date and time you contacted the property manager
- What response (if any) you received
- A specific description of the issue (e.g., “Loud music from midnight to 2 AM on Saturday, March 5” is better than “It’s always noisy.”)
📌 If your complaint involves multiple properties, you’ll need to submit a separate report for each one.
Your voice helps maintain the peace and livability of our neighborhoods—thank you for taking the time to report concerns through the proper channels.
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Financial Wellbeing Workshop:
We Want Your Input!
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We’re teaming up with Redwood Credit Union to bring a free, in-person Financial Wellbeing Workshop to the West County Services Center in Guerneville—and we’d love your help shaping it!
RCU offers a wide menu of practical, engaging workshops (available in English or Spanish), and we want to know which topics matter most to you. Please take a moment to vote for your preferred topic for the first workshop, and let us know when you'd be most likely to attend.
Workshops will be free of charge and scheduled based on community interest
Let us know what works best for you by clicking the buttons in the poll below. Your input will help us design a workshop that meets real community needs—we can’t wait to bring this valuable resource to West County!
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| Which topic would you be most interested in? (Choose one) | | | |
| What timing would you prefer?
(Choose one)
| | | | Thank you and stay tuned for more details in the near future! | | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | | | |
Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council
April 10, 2025
5:30 PM
West County Services Center (former B of A building)
16390 Main Street, Guerneville
Main topic: Overview of Sonoma County Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs with Will Tesconi
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Community Development Commission: Consolidated Plan Development - see details in article above
📍 In-Person Workshop
Tuesday, April 8 · 6:30–8 p.m.
Permit Sonoma, 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa
(Spanish interpretation available)
💻 Online Community Meeting
Tuesday, April 15 – English only
Join via Zoom
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The General Plan team is excited to announce a new interactive map that makes it easy for you to share feedback on the places you care about. Whether it’s a park you love, a traffic issue you’d like to see addressed, or anything in between — they want to hear from you.
New Tool: Interactive Map
Just drop a pin on the map and add a quick note about what you like (or don’t)! Your input will help guide policies and priorities for the updated General Plan.
Register for a brief demo.
Even though the tool is designed to be easy to use, technology can be tricky — so Permit Sonoma is hosting a quick online workshop to walk through how it works and answer your questions.
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Thursday, April 10 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Zoom
Final open houses! Join Permit Sonoma next week - grab a free dinner, join your neighbors and friends, and share your feedback! Please help spread the word.
Bodega Bay
Tuesday, April 15 | 6–7:30 PM
Bodega Yacht Club, 565 Smith Brothers Rd., Bodega Bay
Occidental
Wednesday, April 16 | 6–7:30 PM
Occidental Community Center, 3920 Bohemian Highway, Occidental
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Join River Arts at the
West County Services Center for the Second Saturday Community Art Workshop
Decorate eggs!
16390 Main Street, Guerneville
Saturday, April 12 from 10 AM to 12 PM
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Community Coffee / Cafecito Comunitario
Monday April 21, 8 - 9 AM
West County Services Center
16390 Main Street, Guerneville
District 5 invites you to drop in to our "Cafecito Comunitario" on the third Monday each month. You don't have to stay; you can just stop by to visit with D5 staff, enjoy a delicious pastry and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate; then go about your day. Everyone is welcome; we look forward to seeing you!
| | | Rise Together to Tackle Drug Overdose | | |
Saturday, April 26th
2pm - 3:30pm
575 Administration Drive
Santa Rosa
Join the Sonoma County Youth Commission on Human Rights for a FREE and YOUTH-LED community event focusing on addressing drug overdose and gaining insights from community experts like Face2Face and Micah's Hugs.
There will be free resources, food and NARCAN available for attendees. Please RSVP here.
Open to students ninth grade and above & community members.
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Sonoma County Coast Municipal Advisory Council
Thursday May 15, 2025
5:30 PM, Bodega Bay Grange
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Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins | County of Sonoma | 707-565-2241
Lynda.Hopkins@sonoma-county.org
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