top stories : : : :

Business property owners and business tenants along Sonoma Highway in the Springs could receive some financial help for façade improvement, if the Board of Supervisors signs off on the project next month.

Property owners could receive up to $100,000, while business tenants could get up to $10,000 in forgivable loans. And before it's even been approved by the Supervisors there's a waiting list with five businesses that want to apply.

The program was approved by the Springs Redevelopment Advisory Committee at its Nov. 6 meeting and sent to the Supervisors for their approval. The Springs Redevelopment Advisory Committee is an advisory panel with no legal authority and can't act on its own. It must pass recommendations on to the Supervisors for final approval. The program is meant to change the appearance of Sonoma Highway by eliminating conditions of physical and economic blight.

Private property owners could receive up to the maximum $100,000 loans that would be forgivable in five to seven years if conditions are met, while business tenants could receive up to $10,000 forgivable in three years if conditions are met.

But there's a catch or two. Whatever money is approved for a particular project won't be paid to the property owner or business tenant - it will be paid directly to the contractor. And property owners or tenants won't be able to do the work themselves, they'll have to contract it out.

Boris Sztorch, the county's redevelopment manager, told the panel that anyone who applies for the program must sign an agreement to maintain the exterior of the building for a specified number of years.

Sztorch also said the county's Redevelopment Agency would provide design services - up to $3,500 for each project.

Projects need to be approved by the county's Redevelopment Agency whose members will also act as the loan committee.

The Springs advisory panel asked that someone local also sit on the loan committee, but that's something the Supervisors will decide.

Projects must comply with Sonoma County Codes and the Highway 12 Design guidelines.

Included in the projects eligible for the façade improvement program are:

•Awnings and canopies.

• Signage and graphics.

• Windows and door replacement.

• Painting and plastering.

• Historic building restoration.

• Parapet alterations and improvements.

• Roofing.

• Tile work.

• Exterior lighting and supporting electrical work.

• Landscaping and irrigation systems.

• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) improvements including ramps.

• Lead and asbestos abatement.

• Parking lot resurfacing.

• Pedestrian pathways.

The Springs panel also asked that preference be given to projects with local architects and/or local contractors.

Sztorch told the panel that the county will perform the due diligence and credit reports on applicants.

The panel voted 4-1 with one abstention to pass the recommendation on to the Board of Supervisors.

Voting for the measure were Ryan Lely, Kara Olness Reyes, Ellen Conlan and Steve Cox, while Donna Hays cast the lone 'no' vote because she thought $100,000 was too much for property owners to receive. Dave Whiteley abstained since he is a property owner and could at some time in the future apply for the program.

Rich Lee, who was absent, recused himself at the previous meeting since he too owns a building and could participate in the program. Had Whiteley and Lee not recused themselves, they would have been ineligible to participate in façade improvement in the future.

The City of Sonoma already has a successful façade-improvement program in place.

Laurie Decker, the economic program development manager for the Sonoma Economic Development Partnership, said the program is more modest than the Springs program.

Decker said that Sonoma business owners can receive up to $5,000 in a matching grant and can receive another $5,000 matching grant for ADA accessibility improvements. The loans are forgiven after one to two years provided the improvements are maintained, Decker said.

She said that nine loans have been approved and that several more are in the pipeline.

 

Please log in to comment:

*Member ID:
*Password:
	Forgot Your Password?

Not registered yet? Sign up here! (registration is free)

Note: All fields are required

Personal Information

First Name:

Last Name:

Address:

City:

State:

ZIP code:

Phone:

Email: (this will serve as your username)

Desired password:

Re-type password: