Sonoma Developmental Center plan demands reset for wildife, climate - The Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Sonoma Developmental Center plan demands reset for wildife, climate - The Press Democrat

Close to Home: Reset needed at Sonoma Developmental Center

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and don’t necessarily reflect The Press Democrat editorial board’s perspective. The opinion and news sections operate separately and independently of one another.

Now that a Sonoma County Superior Court judge has issued a decisive ruling over the proposed mega-development of the historic Sonoma Developmental Center campus, it’s time for the county and state to do a complete reset on the future of the open space lands and historic campus in the heart of rural Sonoma Valley.

Following the court’s order that the county redo its “vague, toothless and hopeful” environmental review, the Sierra Club is calling for a planning overhaul that fully defines and protects the wildlife corridor, seriously considers the climate crisis and recognizes the development plans to date as urban sprawl in the middle of a greenbelt in a severe wildfire threat zone.

To date, county and state officials have failed to provide the people of California with a bold vision for the developmental center property that reflects our environmental, climate and housing needs. The site plans pushed forward violate county, regional and state policies to reduce climate emissions, protect open space and biodiversity, and provide affordable housing in cities and towns.

The Sierra Club believes now is the time to correct course and work with community and environmental partners to create a bold vision that results in a proud legacy of conservation and climate protection for all. It’s a perfect fit for the state’s ambitions as a climate leader and goal of preserving 30% of state lands by 2030.

The starting point must be creating a science-based map that clearly defines and preserves the boundaries of the wildlife corridor, ensuring much-needed protection for wildlife and habitat. That means fewer houses, no hotel, no commercial development.

Conserving the open space lands and historic campus with a minimum of development provides the highest possible climate dividend by keeping carbon emissions in the soil and trees. Reusing existing buildings instead of tearing them down provides huge carbon storage benefits.

These lands also provide easy and equitable access to nature and recreation for families living nearby in the Springs communities and beyond.

Urbanizing Sonoma Valley at the developmental center site will not solve our affordable housing needs as 85% of the proposed housing units would be market rate or above. Sonoma County and Santa Rosa, as well as other cities, have been making considerable progress in recent years creating new market rate and affordable housing in areas that are far less exposed to potential wildfire threats, provide evacuation alternatives and, hopefully, offer affordable insurance. Our future demands homes that are transit-oriented, connected to existing transportation infrastructure and near employment centers. In short, smart growth versus continuation of sprawl and more road building.

The current Sonoma Developmental Center plan is a perfect example of what happens when politicians and planners put profit above people, the environment, and the climate crisis. Instead, let’s conserve these lands, not ruin them forever. Create a plan that honors and enhances the lands, wildlife and legacy of one of the most beautiful valleys in California.

Let’s start over and do it right this time.

Teri Shore is conservation chair of the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter. Dan Mayhew is chair of the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter.

You can send letters to the editor to letters@pressdemocrat.com.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and don’t necessarily reflect The Press Democrat editorial board’s perspective. The opinion and news sections operate separately and independently of one another.