The City Council will conduct a public hearing at thier regular meeting to consider an appeal by the Applicant regarding the Planning Commission’s decision to approve the Use Permit, Exception to Development Code Loading Standard, Reduction of Residential Component, Design Review, Demolition Permit, and Lot Line Adjustment for the Hotel Project Sonoma.
Date and Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2023 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: City Council Chambers at 177 First St. West and can be viewed on channel 27 or the City’s CivicWeb portal.
Project Overview: The proposed project involves the demolition of 13,963 sq ft of existing structures to make way for the construction of a 65,606 sq ft 62-guestroom hotel, an 80-seat restaurant and bar, a spa with six treatment rooms, a raised swimming pool veranda, 128 on-site parking spaces, and a 21,221 sq ft 8-unit residential building.
Planning Commission Decision: The Planning Commission deliberated on the Hotel Project Sonoma on October 19, 2023. Following presentations by staff, the applicant, and public comments, the Planning Commission voted 5-1 (with Chair Barnett recused) to approve the project with modified conditions. They also certified the Environmental Impact Report, adopted findings of facts and statement of overriding considerations, adopted the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and made General Plan consistency findings (Resolution Nos. 9-2023 and 10-2023).
Applicant’s Appeal: On October 31, 2023, the applicant submitted a timely appeal, seeking reconsideration of a waiver of the residential component. Additional information related to the appeal is attached as Attachment 3. Staff’s responses to the appeal can be found in the Analysis section below.
Submit a Comment: The public is encouraged to submit comments online* on our CivicWeb Portal by clicking on the “Public Comment” button at the top of the page or by attending the meeting in person and speaking during the public comment period for the agenda item.
For more information, please refer to the full staff report.