Eldridge ‘Visioning’ session introduces partnerships and possibilities for SDC

Local voices heard as plans for Sonoma Developmental Center future take center stage.|

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Nearly 200 Sonoma Valley residents came together June 15 at Hanna Boys Center to articulate a collective local voice in the transition of the Sonoma Developmental Center property.

The meeting – hosted by the SDC Coalition, a group of local stakeholders determined to have a voice in the future of the vast Eldridge estate – was charged with evaluating the “Vision Statement and Guiding Principles” created by the coalition, which includes such organizations as the Sonoma Ecology Center, the SDC Parents Group, the Sonoma Land Trust, Sonoma Mountain Preservation, the Glen Ellen Forum and the County of Sonoma, are gathering input from local residents and surrounding communities to bring a community voice to the protection of the 900 acres of state-owned open space southeast of Glen Ellen.

The document to be considered was dubbed a “Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for Eldridge.” It is meant to uphold “local values” and, according to Tracy Salcedo of the Glen Ellen Forum community group, act as a mirror against which any decisions about SDC should be reflected. These Principles include:

Protection of open space – open space and wildlife managed and permanently protected, securing the corridor between Sonoma Mountain and the Mayacamas.

Sustainability – principles of sustainable land use planning to protect the public trust and fit the character of the site and surrounding community.

Community-led “specific plan” – a citizens advisory committee to be formed to work with Permit Sonoma and ensure development will be compatible with existing land uses in Sonoma Valley.

Housing – ensure housing is based on needs of local workforce, including very low, low, moderate income and vulnerable groups.

Educational and employment opportunities – develop opportunities with new institutional partners possibly including university, colleges, governmental agencies, tribal entities, expanding educational options and job trainings and economic opportunities close to home.

Historic and cultural sites – ensure the numerous historic, cultural, and Native American resources will be protected following historic preservation guidelines.

Implementation – form a governance entity for implementing the community’s vision for Eldridge and reflecting these values.

At this point in the SDC/Eldridge transition, the state Department of General Services has committed to financing three years of warm shutdown of the property and funding the land use planning process, while the community develops its “specific plan.”

A Specific Plan

A specific plan, as described by Milan Nevajda, deputy director of Permit Sonoma, the county permitting department, is a policy document to guide the changes and address areas of land use, design, infrastructure and financing of special properties like Eldridge.

According to Nevajda, a specific plan will assess capital improvements, water, sewer, wastewater, traffic and the cost of development, and balance those costs with appropriately-scaled development opportunities – with community input throughout.

Consultants will be hired by Dec. 31 to shepherd the Specific Plan through phases of assessment, visioning, a first draft and adoption. In August, a Community Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committees will be formed, and in October and November, official community engagement commences with workshops and newsletters.

The visioning phase will begin early 2020 with adoption of a plan by 2021. That leaves 2022 as a buffer year in case the plan stalls.

The next step? Look for many upcoming opportunities for community participation.

Nevajda emphasized at the June 15 meeting that this is a unique project that has full support on all levels of state and county government. “(It’s) a pioneering effort,” Nevajda said.

In general discussion at the meeting, attendees offered ideas for uses of the site. Included among them were suggestions of an art center; a center for Native American culture; housing for vineyard workers; a trade school; housing for the disabled; an equestrian center, and more.

First District Supervisor Susan Gorin and others emphasized that SDC is a unique site at the heart of Sonoma Valley, and changes here could influence the entire state. She encouraged attendees to continue to make their voices heard.

Richard Dale of the SEC closed the session by expressing gratitude for local voices.

“If your voices had not been raised all these months, the state would not have heard,” said Dale. “And we could have been sitting here this morning lamenting Eldridge’s loss.”

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