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District 5
County Of Sonoma › Administrative Support & Fiscal Services › Board of Supervisors › Supervisorial Districts › Board of Supervisors - District 5 › Key Topics & Links
District 5

Key Topics & Links

Canyon Rock Use Permit, Zoning Change, and Reclamation Plan Amendment Application

We have heard from a number of concerned community members and we are tracking this issue.  John Mack, Natural Resources Manager at Permit Sonoma, clarified that a Use Permit, Zoning Change, and Reclamation Plan Amendment application was submitted by Canyon Rock last year. Permit Sonoma was made aware through one of Canyon Rock’s consultants that Canyon Rock would be doing some community outreach on their own the week of April 24.  This is not a County sponsored or led public meeting and is not part of any permit or CEQA process.

A brief summary of the project status is:

  • Application filed late last year
  • EIR required for project
  • Notice of Preparation for EIR published 8/7/23
  • Public Scoping Meeting was held virtually (see NOP for EIR document linked above for details) on Monday 8/21 at 6 PM via Zoom.
  • Written comments on the scope of the DSEIR will be accepted until 5 PM on 9/21/23 via email to Robert.Aguero@sonoma-county.org or Regular Mail: Attn: Robert Aguero, 2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
  • For more information, including the recording from the 9/21 scoping meeting, see the Permit Sonoma project page here. 

There are several steps before it will go to the Planning Commission, and there will be opportunities for community feedback in a formal setting.  Permit Sonoma has published the Notice of Preparation for EIR and Public Scoping Meeting and staff on our team will make sure to look carefully to ensure that everything needed for study is included.  

Our office may not take public positions on such a project, as it can affect our ability to objectively review the project when it reaches the BOS for official action.  We want to be sure Supervisor Hopkins isn’t conflicted out, which would happen potentially if she speaks out for or against the project at this time. That doesn’t mean we won’t follow closely though, and we are also appreciating the community correspondence and everyone tracking this. 

For further information, Robert Aguero, the reviewer assigned to this project, is available to answer questions.  

Robert Aguero, RPF #3062
Senior Environmental Specialist
www.PermitSonoma.org
County of Sonoma 
2550 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Direct:  707-565-3718 | Office:  707-565-1900

Vacation Rentals

Here are some commonly asked questions regarding Vacation Rentals:

Elderberry Commons 

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission purchased the Sebastopol Inn on December 17, 2020 with California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Homekey Round 1 funding to be operated initially as a non-congregate shelter and then to be transferred to a affordable housing developer for conversion and operation as permanent supportive housing.

Through a competitive Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposal process, Burbank Housing Development Corporation was selected as the developer based on a successful track record with both construction and property management, added to a long history of meeting affordable housing needs throughout Sonoma and Napa counties.

In June of 2023, the CDC began working with Praxis Architects to complete the entitlement, design and permitting process to allow conversion of the property to permanent supportive housing and turn a shovel ready property over to Burbank. The design process is complete, and a building permit for construction work associated with conversion of the property has been issued by the City of Sebastopol.  

What is permanent supportive housing? Permanent Supportive Housing is permanent housing in which assistance and supportive services are provided. At Elderberry Commons, Burbank is the property manager and West County Community Services will provide onsite services and support for residents.

 What are the next steps? Next steps are transferring the property to Burbank and commencement of construction which is expected to start in early May of 2024.