Santa Rosa meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Santa Rosa Council to weigh drive-thru appeal, housing funds; recent meeting outcomes still pending

Santa Rosa's City Council meets Tuesday, Oct. 13, with decisions scheduled on an appealed drive-thru project, a state housing funding application, and several transit purchases. Minutes from the council's Sept. 29 meeting and other recent sessions have not yet been published, so the outcomes of those meetings are not confirmed in the records reviewed.

Council to decide Del Valle drive-thru appeal

The Oct. 13 agenda includes a public hearing on an appeal of the Del Valle Drive-Thru at 2000 Sebastopol Road. The Planning Commission denied the Conditional Use Permit 5-2 on Feb. 12, 2026. The council may deny the appeal and uphold that denial, or grant the appeal and approve the permit.

A second public hearing covers a state housing funding application and adoption of the 2024-2028 PLHA Plan. The application to the state Department of Housing and Community Development seeks $487,369 for 2024 and $522,044 for 2025, part of up to $3,046,056 over five years.

Transit purchases and other consent items

Consent items include a third amendment to PlanetBids Purchase Order 170609, adding $24,122 for a total not to exceed $110,303.46; purchase of six Gillig transit buses from the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District; an OBAG 4 grant application for $1,467,000 for the Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan; and an LCTOP request totaling $471,417 for UR Free. The meeting also includes a study session on municipal bond issuance.

Sept. 29 council agenda: $20 million bond hearing

The Sept. 29 council agenda listed a public hearing on up to $20 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds, issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority, to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation and equipping of the 49-unit Vigil Light Senior Apartments at 1945 Long Drive. Also listed: a parking agreement with 425 Humboldt, LLC for up to 176 residential parking permits in Garage 3 at 735 Fifth Street; a resolution extending the local homeless emergency proclamation (Resolution No. 28839); and adoption of classification and compensation changes and an updated salary plan. A closed session was set to discuss negotiations for the sale of 625 and 637 3rd Street (Garage 5). No minutes have been published.

Wastewater bonds and plant upgrades (Oct. 15)

The Board of Public Utilities will consider recommending that the City Council authorize issuance of Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series 2026A, to fund electrical upgrades at the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant. Items include a $600,000 contract increase to Trojan Technologies Corp for ultraviolet disinfection system parts; a sole-source award not to exceed $270,000 to Xylem Water Solutions USA, Inc. for 3rd Street Depression Pump Station pumps; a professional services agreement not to exceed $150,000 with Jones Hall LLP for wastewater bond legal services; and a recommendation to grant a utility easement to PG&E for the future Farmers Lane extension.

Public safety proposals (Oct. 13)

The Public Safety Subcommittee will receive a presentation on a proposed ordinance on recreational vehicles and amendments to ordinances on panhandling, vehicle sideshows, and open flames in parks, along with police and fire operational updates.

Planning and zoning

On Oct. 8 the Planning Commission was set to hear a continued public hearing on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Santa Rosa City Hall Development Agreement with Museum on the Square, LLC, continued to Oct. 22, and an appeal by Tom Murphy of the Director's approval of a tree removal permit for one Coast Redwood at 721 Spring Street (PLN26-0189); staff recommended denying the appeal. The Zoning Administrator was set to consider a Minor Hillside Development Permit (PLN26-0212) for an in-ground pool and spa at 4580 Bennett Valley Road (APN 049-430-027), with staff recommending approval.

Joint schools meeting and cancelled sessions

On Oct. 7 the City Council and Santa Rosa City Schools Board held a special joint meeting with staff briefings on youth safety and a presentation by Dr. Robert Eyler on education's role in Santa Rosa's economy; no formal actions were scheduled.

Several meetings were cancelled: the Oct. 1 Design Review and Preservation Board, Board of Public Utilities, and Open Government Task Force Implementation Subcommittee; the Oct. 5 Art in Public Places Committee; and the Oct. 15 Design Review and Preservation Board and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. No items were decided at those sessions.

Coming up

• **Oct. 13, City Council:** Del Valle Drive-Thru appeal, PLHA housing funding application, transit purchases, bond study session.
• **Oct. 13, Public Safety Subcommittee:** proposed ordinances on RVs, panhandling, vehicle sideshows, and open flames in parks.
• **Oct. 15, Board of Public Utilities:** Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series 2026A, and equipment contracts.
• **Oct. 22, Planning Commission:** continued hearing on the Draft Supplemental EIR for the proposed City Hall Development Agreement, as noted in the Oct. 8 agenda.
• **Nov. 2, Art in Public Places Committee; Nov. 5, Design Review and Preservation Board; Nov. 19, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board; Dec. 3, Open Government Task Force Implementation Subcommittee** — next regular meetings listed after cancellations.

Santa Rosa approves Starbucks drive-thru, care facility expansion

The Santa Rosa Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit for a Starbucks pickup store with drive-through and walk-up service at 131 College Avenue in a 4-2 vote on Aug. 13. The permit allows demolition of the former auto repair building and construction of a 1,280-square-foot restaurant with no seating, operating from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. One commissioner was absent.

Planning Commission approves Starbucks drive-thru

The commission's 4-2 decision on Aug. 13 also included approval of the July 9, 2026 meeting minutes as submitted. The commission held a study session on the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan draft preferred alternative but took no action on the plan.

Zoning Administrator approves care facility and coffee shop

The Zoning Administrator on Aug. 13 approved two permits:

• A Minor Conditional Use Permit to expand a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly at 2364 Melbrook Way from six to nine residents (Resolution ZA-RES-2026-031).
• A Minor Conditional Use Permit and Minor Design Review for a drive-through coffee shop (7 Brew Coffee) at 2249 Santa Rosa Avenue, including extended hours and site improvements (Resolutions ZA-RES-2026-032 and ZA-RES-2026-033). The second permit was approved as amended.

Other recent meetings

Several other meetings occurred in the past two weeks, but no decisions have been published yet.

• The Economic Development Subcommittee met Aug. 10 to receive informational updates on the quarterly economic development report, the strategic plan implementation, Planning's Express Permitting Program, and the federal Opportunity Zone program. No action items were scheduled.
• The Budget Review Subcommittee met Aug. 10 to hear a presentation on Santa Rosa Water's revised miscellaneous fees and charges. The subcommittee was asked to recommend the fees for the Board's consideration at a public hearing on Aug. 20. Public comment closed Aug. 9.
• The City Council met Aug. 18 with an agenda that included a real property exchange for the City Hall campus, a $3,779,141 contract for Downtown Connectivity, a $22,534,460 state grant for the Water Consolidation Project, and two public hearings on water waste regulations and storm water charges. Minutes have not yet been published.
• The Board of Public Utilities met Aug. 20 and considered recommending a $2,683,593 state grant for the Park Royal Consolidation Project, a public hearing on revised Trucked Waste Program tipping fees, and loan applications for the Fulton Road Sewer Lift Station Relocation Project. No minutes are available.
• The Long-Term Financial Policy and Audit Subcommittee cancelled its Aug. 13 meeting; next meeting is Sept. 10.
• The Design Review and Preservation Board cancelled its Aug. 20 meeting; next is Sept. 3.
• The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board cancelled its Aug. 20 meeting; next is Sept. 17.

Coming up

The Housing Authority will meet Aug. 24 to consider loan extensions and funding allocations, including a $172,250 loan extension for Kay Mar Mobilehome Park, up to $177,000 for repairs at Stony Point Commons, and $2,000,000 for Ponderosa Village Phase II and $1,642,571 for Caritas Homes Phase II. It will also consider revisions to the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan.

The Zoning Administrator will hold a public meeting Aug. 27 to consider a Minor Landmark Alteration Permit for siding and window replacement at 634 Wheeler St. The Planning and Economic Development Department recommends approval; appeals are due within 10 days of the decision.

Cancelled upcoming meetings: Board of Parks and Recreation (Aug. 26, next Oct. 28) and Planning Commission (Aug. 27, next Sept. 10).

City Council advances sales tax measure, approves infrastructure contracts

The Santa Rosa City Council voted 6-0 on July 28 to introduce an ordinance and adopt a resolution that would ask voters to replace the current half-cent Measure Q sales tax with a one-cent tax on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The council also approved several infrastructure contracts, a housing grant application, and a fire department weed abatement report.

City Council actions

At its July 28 meeting, the council took the following actions, all by 6-0 votes:

• Introduced an ordinance to replace the half-cent sales tax with a one-cent tax.
• Adopted a resolution to submit the sales tax measure to voters on Nov. 3, 2026.
• Approved a $1.18 million total contract for the Santa Rosa Avenue at Bellevue Avenue traffic signal.
• Authorized a $30 million Homekey Plus grant application for Caritas Homes Phase II.
• Appropriated $4.44 million in state grant funds for the Robin Way Water System Consolidation Project.
• Accepted a $750,000 donation from Sonoma Land Trust for the Southeast Greenway Master Plan.
• Confirmed the Fire Department's report on weed and rubbish abatement costs.
• Appointed Vincenzo Signoretti to the Design Review and Preservation Board.

Other recent meetings

Several other bodies met during the past two weeks, though most items were on agendas without published minutes yet.

• **Housing Authority (July 27):** The body considered extending maturing loans for California Programs for the Autistic's Benton House ($30,899.53) and Community Support Network's Dutton Homes ($128,000), and discussed subordination of loans for Aston Avenue Apartments ($558,071). No decisions were reported.
• **Public Safety Subcommittee (July 28):** Approved the April 21, 2026, regular meeting minutes. The rest of the meeting consisted of presentations from the Police and Fire Departments.
• **Art in Public Places Committee (Aug. 3):** Agenda items included a $20,000 contract for Martín Zúñiga's *Las Sincuenta Monarcas* project, a 2027-2029 Temporary Art Walk plan, and design options for the Brookwood Roses Mural. No decisions were reported.
• **City Council (Aug. 4):** Agenda items included allocating $1,496,623.27 in CDBG-DR funds for the Coffey Park and Fountaingrove Neighborhood Road Disaster Recovery Project, extending the High-Density Multi-Family Residential Incentive Program to Aug. 31, 2031, renewing the state Prohousing Designation, extending the local homeless emergency proclamation, and a briefing on the Community Empowerment Plan update. No decisions were reported.
• **Board of Public Utilities (Aug. 6):** Agenda items included a professional services agreement with Catalyst Group not to exceed $441,979 for a Laguna de Santa Rosa water quality study, a sodium hypochlorite supply bid with Pioneer Americas LLC not to exceed $600,000, a $175,000 amendment to a liquid alum purchase order with Chemtrade Chemicals US LLC, a recommendation for Storm Water Enterprise charges of $43.52 per Equivalent Residential Unit, and an update on the Water Supply Alternatives Plan. No decisions were reported.

Cancelled meetings

The following meetings were cancelled:

• Climate Action Subcommittee (Aug. 5)
• Design Review and Preservation Board (Aug. 6; next regular meeting Aug. 20)
• Open Government Task Force Implementation Subcommittee (Aug. 6; next regular meeting Oct. 1)

Coming up

The Long-Term Financial Policy and Audit Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Aug. 13 has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10, 2026.

Santa Rosa advisory board approves two community grants; Council set to weigh $30M housing grant

The Community Advisory Board approved two $2,500 Community Improvement Grants at its July 22 meeting, the only local board with finalized actions in the past two weeks. Several other Santa Rosa bodies met or were scheduled to meet on items ranging from a $30 million housing grant application to a proposed Mister Car Wash, but minutes for those meetings have not yet been published.

Community Advisory Board — July 22

The board voted 5-0 to approve a $2,500 grant for EFZM Engage's Vince Harper's South Park Day & Night Festival and 5-0 to approve a $2,500 grant for the Sonoma County Library Foundation's Roseland Regional Library Mosaic Sculpture. The board also received presentations on police surveillance technology and a greenway connectivity study, and approved June 3, 2026 draft minutes as amended.

City Council — July 28 (agenda only)

The Council agenda listed several financial items, though minutes have not been published and no outcomes are confirmed:

• Authorize application for up to $30 million Homekey Plus housing grant
• Award traffic signal contract (Contract No. C02283) for $1,180,705
• Accept $750,000 donation from Sonoma Land Trust for the Southeast Greenway Master Plan
• Approve legal research agreement with West Publishing for up to $174,432
• Approve $1,000,000 blanket purchase order for Bigbelly waste receptacles

Study sessions on transit-oriented communities and the CityBus short-range plan were also scheduled.

Housing Authority — July 27 (agenda only)

The Housing Authority was scheduled to consider extending three maturing loans:

• California Programs for the Autistic's Benton House loan: $30,899.53
• Community Support Network's Dutton Homes loan: $128,000
• Aston Avenue Apartments loan subordination: $558,071

A pending development pipeline update and approval of June 15, 2026 draft minutes were also on the agenda.

Planning Commission and Zoning Administrator — July 23 (agenda only)

The Planning Commission was scheduled to hold a public hearing on the appeal of a denied Massage Establishment Certificate for a business at 4908 Highway 12, with an expected resolution denying the appeal. The Zoning Administrator was set to consider a Minor Conditional Use Permit and Minor Design Review for a new Mister Car Wash at 2700 Santa Rosa Avenue, on an approximately 0.84-acre site with a 4,700-square-foot building.

Public Safety Subcommittee — July 28 (agenda only)

The subcommittee was scheduled to hear the Santa Rosa Police Department's response to recommendations from the OIR Group Independent Police Auditor's 2025 Annual Report. Updates from Chief Cregan (Police) and Chief Westrope (Fire) were also on the agenda.

Cancelled meetings

The July 23 Tourism Business Improvement Area Advisory Board meeting was cancelled; its next meeting is September 24, 2026.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — Art in Public Places Committee:** Vote on a $20,000 contract for Martín Zúñiga's Las Sincuenta Monarcas project, the 2027-2029 Temporary Art Walk plan, and Brookwood Roses mural designs.
• **Aug. 4 — City Council:** Consider extending the High-Density Multi-Family Residential Incentive Program to August 31, 2031; allocate $1,496,623.27 in CDBG-DR funds for Coffey Park and Fountaingrove neighborhood road recovery; and extend the local homeless emergency proclamation.
• **Aug. 6 — Board of Public Utilities:** Consider a $441,979 professional services agreement with Catalyst Group for a Laguna de Santa Rosa water quality study, a $600,000 sodium hypochlorite supply contract, and a $175,000 liquid alum purchase order amendment.
• **Cancelled:** Climate Action Subcommittee (Aug. 5), Design Review and Preservation Board (Aug. 6, next meeting Aug. 20), Open Government Task Force Implementation Subcommittee (Aug. 6, next meeting Oct. 1), and Long-Term Financial Policy and Audit Subcommittee (Aug. 13, next meeting Sept. 10).

Santa Rosa Zoning Administrator approves 15-bed elder care facility and wireless facility modification

The most consequential decisions in Santa Rosa over the past two weeks came from the Zoning Administrator, who approved a 15-bed community care facility for the elderly at 170 Sotoyome Street and a rooftop wireless telecommunications facility modification at 2323 Montgomery Drive.

Zoning Administrator approvals (July 9)

The Zoning Administrator adopted two resolutions as presented:

• **Minor Conditional Use Permit** to convert an office building at 170 Sotoyome Street into a 15-bed community care facility for the elderly (resolution ZA-RES-2026-029).
• **Minor Design Review** to modify the existing rooftop wireless telecommunications facility at 2323 Montgomery Drive, increasing the antenna count by three (resolution ZA-RES-2026-028).

Both approvals were adopted as presented, according to official minutes.

Planning Commission study session (July 9)

The Planning Commission held a study session on transportation impact analysis requirements and received a report on public outreach for the Greenway Connectivity Study. No formal actions or substantive decisions were taken. The commission approved the June 25, 2026 minutes as submitted.

Cancelled meetings

Three meetings were cancelled with no business conducted:

• **Art in Public Places Committee** (July 6) — next meeting scheduled August 3, 2026.
• **Long-Term Financial Policy and Audit Subcommittee** (July 9).
• **Design Review and Preservation Board** (July 16) — next meeting set for August 6, 2026.

Meetings held but minutes not yet published

Several bodies met between July 14 and July 16, but official minutes have not yet been published. Agendas indicate the following items were scheduled for discussion or action:

• **City Council (July 14):** Study session on enhancing City revenue (no action scheduled); consent items included accepting $4.6 million from Sonoma County Measure O for the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team, approving a $2 million contingency for the Route 101 Bicycle and Pedestrian Overcrossing, and increasing the Geotab vehicle tracking contract by $200,000 (total $950,000). A council member requested a future ordinance on unpermitted food vendors.
• **Board of Public Utilities (July 16):** Agenda included a recommendation to the City Council to appropriate $22,534,460 in grant funds for the Santa Rosa Water Consolidation Project, acquisition of 3875 Skyfarm Drive for relocation of Reservoir 5, a $325,500 software license amendment with ITpipes Opco LLC, and a $13,240.80 Agilent Technologies maintenance amendment.
• **Board of Building Regulations Appeals (July 15):** Scheduled to hear an appeal of an order to vacate 2371 Corby Ave. #15, with staff recommending denial.
• **Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board (July 16):** Updates on Redwood Bikeshare and the Greenway Connectivity Study.
• **Waterways Advisory Committee (July 16):** Presentation on Greenway Connectivity Study outreach, funded by a federal Thriving Communities technical assistance grant.
• **Violence Prevention Partnership (July 15):** Strategic planning workshops on priorities and program brainstorming.

Coming up

• **Community Advisory Board (July 22):** Will decide on two $2,500 community improvement grants — EFZM Engage's Harper's South Park Day & Night Festival and Sonoma County Library Foundation's New Roseland Regional Library Mosaic Sculpture. Also includes a Santa Rosa Police Department presentation on Flock Safety Automatic License Plate Reader technology.
• **Planning Commission (July 23):** Public hearing on an appeal of a denied Massage Establishment Certificate at 4908 Highway 12; expected to adopt a resolution denying the appeal.
• **Zoning Administrator (July 23):** Will consider a Minor Conditional Use Permit and Minor Design Review for a new Mister Car Wash at 2700 Santa Rosa Avenue (approximately 0.84-acre site, 4,700-square-foot building).
• **City Council (July 28):** Will consider applying for up to $30 million in Homekey Plus housing grant funds, accepting a $750,000 donation from Sonoma Land Trust for the Southeast Greenway, a $1,180,705 traffic signal contract, and a $1,000,000 blanket purchase order for Bigbelly waste receptacles.
• **Tourism Business Improvement Area Advisory Board (July 23):** Meeting cancelled; next meeting September 24, 2026.