Why isn’t TrainTown in Sonoma’s city limits?

The county agency that oversees city service areas is urging the City of Sonoma to annex the 10-acre parcel at 20264 Broadway – aka TrainTown – into its city limits.

Every few years, the Sonoma Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, conducts municipal services reviews for local jurisdictions. And in its first review of Sonoma since 2006, the commission cites several unincorporated areas within the city’s sphere of influence that would be appropriate for the city to annex into its limits.

Top of the list: TrainTown.

“The city should not hesitate to apply to LAFCO to annex the TrainTown unincorporated island,” states the draft review dated March 31. The review explains that expanding city boundaries to include areas in the Valley that are largely developed and urbanized will “improve the effectiveness and efficiency of providing municipal services in the Sonoma Valley region.” (The draft review is viewable at sonomalafco.org.)

Founded in 1958 by Stanley Frank, Sonoma TrainTown is a rail-themed amusement park geared toward younger children featuring various rides, a carousel and petting zoo. It’s currently operated by the late Frank’s son, Robert Frank, his wife Barbara and their daughter Monica.

As Sonoma has grown over the years, the city has folded properties surrounding 20264 Broadway into its limits, but never TrainTown itself – creating a four-sided island of unincorporated land at the southern entrance to the city.

“No one driving into Sonoma from the south on Highway 12 would ever suspect that TrainTown was not part of the city,” said Mark Bramfitt, executive officer of Sonoma LAFCO. “And the city has every reason to rectify the current situation.”

While in the past, property owners could opt out of incorporation into a city, current state law no longer requires property owner support for annexation. In fact, Bramfitt told the Index-Tribune, annexing properties in a way that creates a four-sided island like TrainTown isn’t even permitted under current law. (TrainTown isn’t unique in this way, added Bramfitt. He estimates Santa Rosa has more than 40 such unincorporated islands.)

Bramfitt said there are multiple reasons to annex such islands into the cities which surround them.

“One is to eliminate confusion,” Bramfitt said. As it stands now, “the county sheriff should respond to incidents at TrainTown and not the city police, for example.”

The other major driver, he said, is simple fairness.

“The island relies on city services at least to some extent, like use of local roads,” said Bramfitt. “But all of the property taxes go to the county, which arguably provides negligible services.”

Calls to TrainTown and the Frank family were not returned by press time.

In addition to TrainTown, the LAFCO review identifies six other areas within the city’s sphere of influence and Urban Growth Boundary that could also be annexed.

* Maxwell Farms Regional Park – the County Regional Park at the northwestern corner of the city’s sphere of influence.

* Montini Open Space Preserve – the preserved open space area and popular hiking grounds to the north of the city, straddling First Street West.

* Denmark Street/Garry Lane – a “notch” of unannexed area to the east of the city, substantially developed with suburban/rural residential uses.

* Four Corners – Unannexed properties primarily at the intersection of Broadway and Napa Road, including a parcel at Napa Road and Fifth Street East.

* Harrington Road – a set of unannexed parcels on either side of Harrington Road, north of the Napa Road and Fifth Street West intersection. The area is substantially developed with suburban-rural residential development, with many properties already receiving City of Sonoma municipal services such as water and sanitary.

“It is recommended the city take action to facilitate annexations in several of these areas, or otherwise consider seeking removal of territory from the city’s sphere of influence,” states the LAFCO review.

Sonoma Mayor Jack Ding said that any potential annexations should be considered through a “financial balance” lens.

“We need to itemize all potential expenses like law enforcement, fire and emergency services, infrastructure, parks and recreation and maintenance (with the) increase in incomes from sales tax, property tax and fees,” said Ding.

Ding hopes any new annexations will enhance historical and residential identity and “improve the community harmony.”

“Our final goal is for the local government to provide quality services to more residents in a more effective and efficient way,” said Ding.

The final draft of the municipal services review is expected to be released June 1, according to city staff.

Email Jason Walsh at Jason.walsh@sonomanews.com.