Latest news with #DowntownSpecificPlan
San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Letters: Refinery leaving will hurt Bay Area town's economy, but there will be a big benefit
Regarding 'This Bay Area town grew into a prosperous suburb — but is now facing fiscal crisis' (Bay Area, June 1): A key point was left out of the story — the Valero refinery's adverse impact on the health of Benicia residents. Despite being an otherwise healthy city, our rates of many cancers are much higher than Solano County and the rest of the state. Benicia's rate of lung cancer is between 14.5%-21.8% higher than the county's and about 44% higher than the California rate. Our prostate cancer rates are 32.8% higher than the county's and 70% higher than the state's. For breast cancer, we have a 36% higher rate than our county and a 94% higher rate than our state. This data comes from Solano County and state public health sources. While it cannot be definitively concluded that these higher cancer rates are due to refinery emissions, they are similar to the higher rates near refineries elsewhere that are well-documented in medical studies. Yes, it will be economically challenging to weather Valero's exit. But there is little doubt that when this happens, our community's risk of cancer will drop. Many Benicia residents are looking forward to being able to breathe healthier air and are willing to work with our city government to move into a post-refinery future. Dr. Richard Fleming, Benicia Build Petaluma's future Regarding 'A luxury hotel could transform this California town. Some residents are fighting back' (Bay Area, May 30): Thirty years ago, while campaigning door-to-door, I met Jane Hamilton. She was working as a cleaning lady when she opened the door with hope and determination. We later served together on the Petaluma City Council, and my mother was her treasurer when she ran for county supervisor. I believed Jane stood for hard work and community progress. I was wrong. Jane helped create Petaluma's Downtown Specific Plan over three decades ago. That plan, now outdated, includes a 45-foot height limit being used to oppose the EKN Appellation Hotel — a five-story, 93-room hotel with a rooftop bar, proposed for a lot that was once a gas station and has sat vacant for 30 years. More than 50 downtown businesses support this project because they see its value for our economy and community. Here's the irony: Under today's height restrictions, Petaluma's historic downtown couldn't be built. The very buildings we now celebrate would be prohibited. We're not trying to replicate history — federal preservation standards discourage that. We should build for today, with the same ambition and purpose that built the city we love. Petaluma's future deserves vision, not fear. Janice Cader Thompson, member, Petaluma City Council Oust S.F. Zoo leader News reports have provided a consistently long list of concerns about San Francisco Zoo CEO and Executive Director Tanya Peterson and her tenure: mismanagement, animal safety, toxic work environment/retaliation, lack of transparency into zoo operations/finances, nepotism, and now a required city audit, and the list goes on. The zoo seems to be mired in conflict due to Peterson. Why does the zoo board continue to support her? Why all the effort to retain one person who is causing so much conflict? Why not part ways and move on so the zoo can thrive? Likely, based on the recent resignations of five members, the board has some cronies who push to keep Peterson in place — to the detriment of the zoo, its employees, animals and reputation, and the community and city. It's time for Peterson and the cronies to go. Suzanne Eisenhut, San Francisco Tighten S.F.'s belt Arnaldo Dallera, Tiburon
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Push for preservation: Residents forming group to protect Lodi's architectural heritage
May 8—A small group of residents have come together to look at ways to protect Lodi's architectural heritage. Lodi City Councilwoman Lisa Craig-Hensley recently created the Lodi Preservation Alliance with Michael Donaldson and Alane Dashner to examine various historic structures throughout the city and determine how to keep them standing for generations to come. "I've spent 30 years in this field working with community members and business owners interested in the reuse of historic buildings," Craig-Hensley said. "And we've looked for ways to renovate what they have, but respect the character of the community." Craig-Hensley has been the Historic Preservation League of Oregon's executive director and the Chief of Historic Preservation for the city of Annapolis in Maryland, and has also worked for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. She's hoping to use her expertise with those agencies to bring a bit of life back to some structures here in town, such as some of the vacant spaces along Sacramento Street in Downtown Lodi, and bring recognition to sites such as the Thornton House building, which at one time was Lodi's opera house. "I don't believe buildings should be museums," she said. "I believe a viable investment process gives value to some of our more historic areas." Craig-Hensley said the idea to form the LPA came about while discussing Lodi's Downtown Specific Plan with Lodi Historical Society member Scott Hamilton a few months ago. Hamilton, who refurbished the house on the 100 block Crescent Avenue known as "The Finches Roost," a few years ago and is currently renovating the 111-year-old former firehouse and city hall at 114 N. Main St., said he would help get the LPA off the ground. He put Craig-Hensley in touch with Donaldson and Dashner, and will be advising them on some approaches and methods for preserving historic buildings in and around Lodi. Hamilton said Donaldson is a recently-retired architect who has designed and built many buildings over the years, and has also helped to preserve several older ones. Dashner is a retire registered nurse who is now local historian and enthusiastic evangelist for Lodi and all of its character and charm, he said. "It's still early days, but they've been talking about all of the various dimensions of historic preservation," he said. "Everything from educating the community, to working with the city to establish ordinances and guidelines for preservation projects, to working with residential and commercial building owners to provide guidance and resources where necessary, and actually undertaking hands-on preservation projects." Some of the buildings Hamilton said he'd like to see preserved include the Armory on Washington Street — which would require collaboration with the National Guard — and the supplies and storage building at Hutchins Street Square at the corner of Walnut and Rose streets. But which buildings the alliance decides to preserve will not be up to him, he said. "I'm not going to be on the committee," he said. "But I told them if they need any handywork done, I'd be glad to help." Craig-Hensley said the LPA will also work to get some structures in Lodi that are currently deemed historic by the community recognized nationally, including the Lodi Arch at Sacramento and Pine streets, the Lodi House building on Washington Street and the Woman's Club building on West Pine Street. None of them are included on any historical registers, she said.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marysville may adopt first general plan update in four decades
In its first comprehensive general plan update since 1985, the Marysville City Council will consider the adoption of a 2050 General Plan in a meeting Tuesday night. California cities are required by state law to maintain a comprehensive, long-term general plan and development guide. It 'sets the long-range vision for the City and must include certain mandatory topics, and contains a declaration of goals, objectives, and programs that guide and establish the future physical form and development of the city,' the city's website reads. As the name suggests, Marysville's 156-page 2050 General Plan communicates the city's vision through the year 2050. The draft 2050 General Plan includes a Downtown Specific Plan to 'revitalize and enhance the economic, social, cultural and recreational fabric of the city's downtown urban core,' states the general plan presentation. It includes an updated zoning code, historic design standards, and an environmental impact report as well. The general plan includes several key elements and explains the relationship between them. The land use element informs the city's land use policies, ensuring appropriate development for residential, commercial and industrial land uses. The draft general plan highlights revitalizing downtown Marysville and development around Ellis Lake, among other things. The Open Space, Conservation and Recreation Element exists to protect and conserve the natural resources, open space and recreation lands in the city, and provide opportunities for recreation activities to meet citizen needs. It discusses water supply and quality, mineral resources, greenhouse gas emissions, cultural and tribal cultural resources, and more. As well, it outlines opportunities like levee beautification and boating activities (like paddle boats and water taxis) near Bryant Field. The Circulation and Scenic Highway Element concerns all elements of transportation and related facilities, including pedestrians, transit, bicycles and automobiles. It is intended to improve transportation options for residents and visitors, provide for a more walkable and bikeable city, and address health, economic and environmental costs associated with transportation. It also includes ideas for improvements to Highways 70 and 20, a downtown parking plan, and a pedestrian safety, mobility and context improvement study. Environmental Justice, according to the California Government Code, is the 'fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins, with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.' The Environmental Justice Element requires local jurisdictions having a disadvantaged community to address topics related to environmental justice, such as reduction to pollution exposure, provision of public facilities, provision of access to healthy food, etc. The Noise Element lays out a noise analysis, including community noise and exposure to noise by citizens. The purpose of this element is to protect residents from noise that may be hazardous to their health and welfare. It discusses state highway noise, aircraft and airport noise operations, and more. The Safety and Housing Elements are not included in the online document, but are stated to be part of thegeneral plan. The Housing Element works to 'provide housing for all of the community and address the needs of specified populations,' the city's general plan progress report reads, and the Safety Element includes protection from natural and manmade hazards, including earthquakes, fires, floods and otherwise. The Marysville 2050 General Plan can be found online at
