NEW CITY COUNCIL...

Ya, know, I went to the City Council meeting last night.

At 5:00pm the City Council interviewed 4 candidates for the 3 vacant seats on the Design Review Board.  Appointed were Ted Luthin, former chair Zac Douch and Christine Level was named alternate.

I had to leave at 6pm, (there was an emergency Martini surplus at Hopmonk they needed help with) but when I returned at 8:00pm, they had just approved an extension on the moratorium for drive-thru windows.  This doesn't ban drive-thrus in Sebastopol at this time, it just gives the Council a full year to review the options on these environmental disasters.

Then, long into the night, the report on the Village Mobile Home park just east of downtown was discussed.  Seems the  City purchased the property in 2007 and now they are trying to figure out what to do with it.  It's costing Sebastopol mucho moolah each year and there's no clear solution in sight.  The odd thing to me was that no one from the trailer park or Tombe Realty who manages the park at $110,000.00 a year, attended the meeting, though they were invited.

I wonder if Tombe was nervous about answering some of the Council's questions.

Stay tuned.

But what impressed me about this new council is that every member provided thought provoking questions and opinions that really dug deep below the surface of the issues at hand.

I was very impressed and truthfully, pleasantly surprised at the type of constructive dialogue that every member took part in.

KUDOS to our new council!  Now let's get out there and support them!  Show up.

Please go to the Sebastopol City website for the minutes of all meetings.

http://ci.sebastopol.ca.us/page/meeting-dates-agendas-minutes-reports

A Bunya tree response from Lynn Deedler...

I hope you will not encourage others to save this tree based on the simple ideology that trees are good and should be saved.  Judgement should come from weighing all the issues.  Many needs and values go into the equation that determines if this tree removal is justified, and my conclusion is the removal is justified.  This opinion comes from someone who values trees more than most and who has fought hard battles to save trees in Sebastopol, often a lonesome battle.  And, who has cared for and planted more trees than you can imagine.

I wanted to include a condition for approving the application, to which both the Tree Board and the applicant were not responsive.  I would not mind support to include this condition if the tree is to go.  It was to include a major section of the trunk into the adjacent landscaping.  The following to Barney Aldridge and ZAC, the landscape architect, are from an exchange to let them know I would make this request.

"The Barlow was sold in part as preserving or reflecting the historic nature of the site.  As it has turned out little of the original character has been retained in this project.  Four possible historic aspects of this project that could have been incorporated come to mind.  This is a last chance.  This prominently located tree is the biggest non Redwood in Sebastopol and now it will be going too.  Please come up with a worthy place for it."

"The tendency on things like this tree is to cut it down, hall it off, grind out the stump, and make the place like it was never there.  It is an old and stately fixture in this town worthy of a little honor in its passing.  Making it fit into the landscape, posting a picture next to it, telling a little story about it on a plaque and asking people to count the rings to tell how long it stood.  This kind of thing acknowledges the tree, the past and adds character to a site. It does not take money so much as thought."

A TREE NEEDS OUR HELP!

What is it with developers?!?

I've been excited about the Barlow project, but there's something that I can't help but notice...

NO TREES!

I mean, this project is starting to look like a factory in Poland.  Where are the trees?  Well, I hope this posting doesn't answer my question.  Because instead of planting trees to soften the austere look of this project, the developers want to cut down a tree that has welcome westbound visitors to Sebastopol for over a hundred years.

Read...

Bunya Bunya Tree at Barlow

I just heard from a DRB member that the Sebastopol Tree Board almost approved cutting down the Monkey Puzzle Tree on Sebastopol Ave and Morris Streets last night.  The Barlow project put a notice on the tree around December 17, and tried to get the removal approved last night.  Removing the tree was not a part of the original plans for the development.  This is the unique, tall, landmark tree right at the corner there, with the spiny leaves that grow in spirals around the branches.  It's been there for 100 years.  (The Monkey Puzzle and Bunya Bunya tree are in the same genus and very similar, so I'm not sure which it actually is.)

Please take a moment to email the other members of tree board & City Council and give them your feedback on this tree removal application.

News Flash please forward:

The Barlow project wants to cut down the 80 foot tall Bunya Bunya Tree at the entrance to the town.  The tree has been a landmark at the corner of Morris and Highway 12 for 100 years.  Now the Barlow says the tree is in the way of its corner development.  They want to make the curb more truck friendly and to conform to CalTrans and ADA standards.  They tried to get the Tree Board's approval last night but the Tree Board said there wasn't enough public notice given.  What do you think?  Could there be more effort made to preserve the tree?

Contact the City Officials about it if you have an opinion.  The next Tree Board will meet on Wednesday, January 16^th.

City Council

Sarah Glade Gurney, City Councilmember

Phone: (707) 823-6500

E-Mail: sarahcouncil@yahoo.com

Michael Kyes, Mayor

Phone: (707) 483-2595

E-Mail: michaelkyes@sbcglobal.net

John Eder, City Councilmember

E-Mail: johneder@comcast.net

Patrick Slayter, City Council Member

Phone: (707) 829-9090

E-Mail: ps.sebcc@gmail.com

Robert Jacob, Vice Mayor

E-Mail: robertjacobcc@sonic.net

Mary Gourley, City Clerk

Phone: (707) 823-1153

E-Mail: mgourley@cityofsebastopol.org