A. Existing Conditions. The Northeast planning area lies immediately to the north and east of the Plaza and downtown, and extends to the northeast city boundary. The planning area, which encompasses 230 acres, includes many historical structures and diverse land uses. Scenic vistas of the surrounding hillsides along four of the major north-south streets and a portion of the city’s bike path are also important attributes of this area. Existing development is characterized by wide variety in architectural styles, site planning techniques, and street patterns, reflecting different periods in the city’s history. Important natural features include Schocken Hill, which extends into the planning area from the north, and Nathanson Creek, which runs through the southeast edge of the area. Visually, this area is marked by the contrast of rural and urban elements.

Existing land uses include:

A. Existing Conditions. The Central-East planning area is located at the eastern edge of the city, between East Napa Street and East MacArthur Street, and includes some of the oldest residential areas in the community, with mature landscaping and street trees. The streets primarily follow a grid pattern with variable widths, supporting slower traffic. Some streets have sidewalks and/or parkway landscaping strips and many homes have tall, mature hedges along the front property line, which create well defined street edges. Setbacks tend to be large, but vary widely.

The area includes a variety of architectural styles, representative of individual home subdivision and construction. Nathanson Creek meanders from the northern boundary of the planning area along its west edge, where it crosses East MacArthur Street. The east edge of the planning area is adjacent to open fields outside of the city, and the planning area also has views of the hillsides to the north.

A. Existing Conditions. The Southeast area is roughly bounded on three sides by major collector streets, with Nathanson Creek forming the western boundary. The smaller lot sizes and street improvements associated with the single-family subdivisions within the city contrast with the rural lands of the unincorporated sphere of influence, with little transition between the two. The three large single-family subdivisions within city limits are not characterized by any particular street or block pattern, except that all feature curb, gutter, and sidewalk, and none provide, at present, a connection to or continuation of the traditional grid pattern found to the north.

Existing land uses include:

A. Existing Conditions. The Northwest planning area is a predominantly residential district bounded by the West Napa Street/Sonoma Highway commercial corridor on the west and south and the Vallejo Home State Park on the east. Verano Avenue forms the northern boundary. A class 1 bike/walking path crosses the planning area, providing local access to Olsen Park, as well as a route to Maxwell Regional Park on the west and the Plaza on the east. In general, residential development within the area is of three types: (1) older tracts of single-family residences on long, narrow blocks arranged in a grid pattern (east of Fifth Street); (2) newer tracts of single-family residences arranged on curvilinear streets and cul-de-sacs (west of Fifth Street); and (3) multifamily development, in the form of condominiums and P.U.D.s, along West Spain Street.

Existing land uses include:

A. Existing Conditions. The Central-West planning area is large, at 297 acres, and contains a variety of housing types, including low density single-family, mobile home parks, duplexes and fourplexes, as well as large-scale multifamily developments. Sonoma Creek, on the west, represents the area’s most distinct boundary. The West Napa/Sonoma Highway commercial corridor lies to the north, the Downtown district and Broadway to the east, and rural development within the Southwest planning area to the south. The development of this area is recent in terms of the city’s overall history, with the oldest tracts dating back to the 1950s. Within single-family areas, front setbacks tend to be quite consistent (20 feet, usually), less so in the multifamily sections. Most of the streets are developed with monolithic sidewalks rather than planter strips. The major streets within the Central-West area form a grid, continued by some local streets and ignored by others.

Existing land uses include:

A. Existing Conditions. The Southwest planning area, which is entirely residential, is marked by sharp contrasts between rural and urban development. Malet Street and Harrington Drive are rural enclaves, developed mainly with older residences. New residential development includes a single-family tract and a series of higher density tracts featuring detached units on small lots. The Southwest area is bounded by rural and agricultural lands outside of the city’s sphere of influence on the south and west, with the Broadway corridor and the gateway at Four Corners to the east, and urban residential development to the north. The Fryer Creek channel bisects the area. No east-west streets traverse the planning area (with the exception of Leveroni Road), due to the presence of the creek, but there is a bicycle/pedestrian connection at the southern end of the channel. This crossing connects bike/pedestrian pathways which run along either side of the channel, providing access to the two neighborhood parks within the planning area.

Existing land uses include:

A. Existing Conditions. Although the Gateway commercial district encompasses only 59 acres, its future development is crucial to the identity of Sonoma. It forms the southern entrance to the city and marks the division between the rural and agricultural character of the unincorporated area and the urban features of the city. The district is bounded by existing and planned multifamily development to the west and north, rural residential, agricultural, and vacant parcels to the south, and Nathanson Creek to the east. Broadway and Napa/Leveroni Road divide the district into quarters.

Existing land uses include:

A. Existing Conditions. Connecting the southern gateway to the downtown, the Broadway corridor possesses considerable historic, visual, and functional significance. Historically, Broadway completes the Camino Real or “Royal Road” of Spanish/Mexican mission settlements. Visually, Broadway provides a grand entrance to downtown Sonoma with its axial view of the Plaza, City Hall, and the northern hills, its 110-foot right-of-way, and its procession of street trees. Functionally, Broadway is a segment of State Route 12 and is a major traffic arterial. The Broadway corridor is flanked by residential areas, with Nathanson Creek forming its eastern edge and First Street West its western boundary. Parcels along Broadway tend to be long and narrow (to widths of 50 feet) and some have double frontages.

North of MacArthur Street, Broadway possesses a clear visual organization defined by historic structures with landscaped front yards and generally regular setbacks, street trees, and a consistent street width. South Broadway, in contrast, features a patchwork of older (but not historic) commercial buildings, new commercial and multifamily residential development, historic single-family homes and remnant agricultural buildings. These uses are interspersed with vacant parcels. However, the dominant use on South Broadway, in terms of area, appearance, and intensity, is the high school. Street improvements along South Broadway are inconsistent.

A. Existing Conditions. The Downtown district is the heart of Sonoma. The district centers on the Plaza and the historic downtown, collectively designated as a National Historic Landmark. The Sonoma Plaza is an eight-acre park, framed by historic buildings, with City Hall at its center. The downtown encompasses a lively concentration of small businesses, including restaurants, bookstores, specialty retail, and offices. A cluster of historically significant buildings on the north side of the district, including the mission and the barracks, are managed as a state park. Outside of the original downtown area, the western portion of the district contains a mix of single-family, multifamily, retail, and office development, including a modern shopping center. Multifamily development lies at the northwest and southeast edges of the district.

Existing land uses include:

A. Existing Conditions. Located in west and northwest Sonoma, the West Napa Street/Sonoma Highway corridor is a commercial strip comprised of segments of State Highway 12. Beginning at West Napa Street/Third Street West, it extends westward along West Napa Street to Riverside Drive, then northward along the Sonoma Highway to Harley Street. Although it contains a wide variety of uses and building types, many of the blocks within the corridor present a pleasing appearance and exhibit a high degree of visual organization. The corridor is also punctuated by shopping centers with expansive parking lots, some only lightly landscaped, which break the rhythm established by smaller-scale development. Still other segments are more notable for their natural features and present a distinctly rural appearance (Sonoma Creek is a significant, if underutilized, natural amenity). Throughout the corridor, there are axial views of the hills surrounding Sonoma. West Napa Street and the Sonoma Highway are the city’s primary collectors and the corridor contains the most heavily travelled streets in Sonoma.

Existing land uses include:

A. Existing Conditions. The three open space districts are characterized by large areas of land in public ownership devoted to open space and recreational uses. The Maxwell district has an area of approximately 89 acres, all of which is owned by Sonoma County and dedicated to use as a regional park. The Maxwell Farms Regional Park encompasses a range of recreational uses, including playing fields, a Boys and Girls Club, and natural hiking areas.

The Vallejo district is dominated by the 57-acre Vallejo Home State Park. The historic buildings within this park are set off by expansive vistas. North of the park are several large, vacant parcels, currently used for grazing but having a zoning of Hillside Residential. Other uses within the district include a complex of city buildings (the police station and the city council chambers) and playing fields, a church, and a small amount of residential development.

A. Overview and Objectives. The first section (“Existing Conditions, Desired Future, Potential Changes”) contains a general overview of the planning area, a statement of broad planning objectives, and a description of likely public improvements and other potential changes, as follows:

B. Development Standards and Guidelines. The second section (“Project Planning and Design Standards”) sets forth specific development standards and guidelines applicable to new development. The specific provisions of this section are as follows:

C. Overview of Conditions. The concluding section is a map in which the major physical features of each planning area are identified, including streets, building envelopes, creeks, and contour lines. The balance of land uses and the number of units within each planning area are summarized as well. (Ord. 06-2013 § 3, 2013; amended during June 2011 supplement; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Existing Conditions. The Northeast planning area lies immediately to the north and east of the Plaza and downtown, and extends to the northeast city boundary. The planning area, which encompasses 230 acres, includes many historical structures and diverse land uses. Scenic vistas of the surrounding hillsides along four of the major north-south streets and a portion of the city’s bike path are also important attributes of this area. Existing development is characterized by wide variety in architectural styles, site planning techniques, and street patterns, reflecting different periods in the city’s history. Important natural features include Schocken Hill, which extends into the planning area from the north, and Nathanson Creek, which runs through the southeast edge of the area. Visually, this area is marked by the contrast of rural and urban elements.

Existing land uses include:

The bicycle/walking path which runs east and west through the center of the planning area is an important recreational and social element of the Northeast planning area.

B. Desired Future. The general objective for this area, as expressed in SMC 19.18.020, Project planning and design, is to preserve the quality and context of land uses and buildings. Remodeling or additions to existing structures and infill development including intensification in mixed use areas, will require careful attention to surrounding building form, site design, and land uses to preserve the quality of development in the Northeast planning area. The emphasis of mixed use development should be residential, with some small-scale office, bed and breakfast, or other compatible commercial land uses allowed subject to use permit review.

C. Potential Changes. Specific improvements contemplated in this area include improvements to the Maysonnave property and Depot Park, the creation of a pedestrian corridor linking the Plaza, Depot Park and the Sonoma Overlook Trail, and landscaping improvements to public parking lots. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning Standards.

4. Natural Features. Environmental amenities including creeks, streams and other drainage courses, mature trees, and rock outcrops shall be preserved and incorporated into the proposed site plan. Appropriate enhancement or protective measures shall be included in plans where determined necessary by the planning commission. See SMC 19.40.050, Hillside development, and SMC 19.40.060, Landscape standards, and the tree preservation ordinance for specific hillside development and tree preservation requirements and guidelines.

B. Building Design.

C. Street and Block Layout. It is intended that streets within the Northeast Planning Area will be maintained at their existing width and alignment. (Ord. 02-2021 § 1(1), 2021; Ord. 03-2004 § 3, 2004; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Existing Conditions. The Central-East planning area is located at the eastern edge of the city, between East Napa Street and East MacArthur Street, and includes some of the oldest residential areas in the community, with mature landscaping and street trees. The streets primarily follow a grid pattern with variable widths, supporting slower traffic. Some streets have sidewalks and/or parkway landscaping strips and many homes have tall, mature hedges along the front property line, which create well defined street edges. Setbacks tend to be large, but vary widely.

The area includes a variety of architectural styles, representative of individual home subdivision and construction. Nathanson Creek meanders from the northern boundary of the planning area along its west edge, where it crosses East MacArthur Street. The east edge of the planning area is adjacent to open fields outside of the city, and the planning area also has views of the hillsides to the north.

Existing land uses include:

B. Desired Future. The general objective for this area, as expressed in SMC 19.20.020, Project planning and design, is to preserve the existing quality and fabric of residential neighborhoods in the Central-East planning area. Two key issues that could affect efforts to maintain the character of the area include a significant number of parcels that could be subdivided as infill lots, and the site planning and building design techniques employed in their development. Development of the potential infill parcels will mainly need to focus on visual compatibility with the adjacent patterns of site design, building scale, and architectural context.

C. Potential Changes. The future development of the parcels east of Armstrong Estates will lead to the extension of Charles Van Damme Way and William Cunningham Avenue, and perhaps to the connection of Appleton Way with East Napa Street. This area, portions of which are currently outside of city limits, has an R-S designation, which calls for somewhat higher densities and a greater variety in lot sizes than what is found in the development to the west (Armstrong Estates), which features lots having a minimum area of 20,000 square feet. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning.

B. Building Design.

C. Street and Block Layout. It is intended that streets within the Central-East planning area will be maintained at their existing width and alignment. (Ord. 02-2021 § 1(2), 2021; Ord. 03-2004 § 3, 2004; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Existing Conditions. The Southeast area is roughly bounded on three sides by major collector streets, with Nathanson Creek forming the western boundary. The smaller lot sizes and street improvements associated with the single-family subdivisions within the city contrast with the rural lands of the unincorporated sphere of influence, with little transition between the two. The three large single-family subdivisions within city limits are not characterized by any particular street or block pattern, except that all feature curb, gutter, and sidewalk, and none provide, at present, a connection to or continuation of the traditional grid pattern found to the north.

Existing land uses include:

B. Desired Future. The general objectives for this area, as expressed in SMC 19.22.020, Project planning and design, are as set forth below. The area along Fifth Street East, between Denmark Street and Napa Road, represents the largest block of undeveloped residential land within the sphere of influence. Its development should be based on elements found in traditional Sonoma neighborhoods, including grid streets, a mix of lot sizes, and variation in the size and style of homes. The development of this area should result in a distinct edge to the city, rather than a “feathering” effect, and should connect to adjoining subdivisions.

C. Potential Changes. The development of the Sonoma residential area will allow for additional grid street connections to Fifth Street East, Denmark Street, and, potentially, Napa Road. The extension of curb, gutter and sidewalk, and the undergrounding of drainage will be needed along the east side of Fifth Street East and the north side of Napa Road. In addition, the intersection of Fifth Street East/Napa Road will ultimately need to be signalized.

The high school expansion and the recently completed middle school on the property south of the high school have implications for the residential development adjacent to the east. The placement of buildings, playing fields, access and parking should support those neighborhoods, not diminish them. To provide convenient access to playing fields and other facilities on the east side of the creek, an access road (public or private) should be extended to connect Denmark Street with Newcomb Street. Opportunities for creek restoration should be pursued along the bicycle/pedestrian path recently developed on the east side of Nathanson Creek. Connections to this path should be made to the residential areas on the east. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning Standards.

B. Building Design.

C. Street and Block Layout. It is intended that streets within the Southeast planning area will be maintained at their existing width and alignment.

A. Existing Conditions. The Northwest planning area is a predominantly residential district bounded by the West Napa Street/Sonoma Highway commercial corridor on the west and south and the Vallejo Home State Park on the east. Verano Avenue forms the northern boundary. A class 1 bike/walking path crosses the planning area, providing local access to Olsen Park, as well as a route to Maxwell Regional Park on the west and the Plaza on the east. In general, residential development within the area is of three types: (1) older tracts of single-family residences on long, narrow blocks arranged in a grid pattern (east of Fifth Street); (2) newer tracts of single-family residences arranged on curvilinear streets and cul-de-sacs (west of Fifth Street); and (3) multifamily development, in the form of condominiums and P.U.D.s, along West Spain Street.

Existing land uses include:

B. Desired Future. As expressed in SMC 19.24.020, the general objectives for the Northwest planning area are as follows: Within the single-family areas, additions and reconstruction will increase the architectural variety of the area, a trend which should be encouraged while preserving the generally small scale of the older tracts and avoiding the over-building of lots. The largest opportunity for new residential development is represented by the Montini property, a 14-acre parcel located at the northwest corner of the planning area, adjacent to the Vallejo Home State Park. Its development should contribute to the character of the area by extending the grid pattern of the older residential blocks to the south, while providing a greater variety of lot sizes and unit types as called for by its Sonoma Residential zoning designation.

New multifamily development along West Spain Street should emulate the good examples in the area by providing generous street-side setbacks, maintaining low building profiles, and locating parking within the interior or the back of the lot.

C. Potential Changes. Views from Fifth Street West of the northern hills lost through the development of the Montini property will be regained by the extension of Fourth Street West and Verano Avenue. While Fourth Street West will also be extended from West Spain Street to connect with Rosalie Drive, no connection will be made across the bike path in order to preserve the safety of the path and to prevent Fourth Street from being used as a shortcut to Sonoma Highway. Pedestrian access to and from Sonoma Market will be improved by closing gaps in the sidewalk system, especially at the intersection of Fifth Street West and West Spain Street. This intersection may ultimately be signalized. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning Standards.

B. Building Design.

C. Street and Block Layout. It is intended that streets within the Northwest planning area will be maintained at their existing width and alignment.

A. Existing Conditions. The Central-West planning area is large, at 297 acres, and contains a variety of housing types, including low density single-family, mobile home parks, duplexes and fourplexes, as well as large-scale multifamily developments. Sonoma Creek, on the west, represents the area’s most distinct boundary. The West Napa/Sonoma Highway commercial corridor lies to the north, the Downtown district and Broadway to the east, and rural development within the Southwest planning area to the south. The development of this area is recent in terms of the city’s overall history, with the oldest tracts dating back to the 1950s. Within single-family areas, front setbacks tend to be quite consistent (20 feet, usually), less so in the multifamily sections. Most of the streets are developed with monolithic sidewalks rather than planter strips. The major streets within the Central-West area form a grid, continued by some local streets and ignored by others.

Existing land uses include:

B. Desired Future. The general objective for this area, as expressed in SMC 19.26.020, is to ensure that new infill developments respect their immediate context. Single-family areas should remain single-family with regular setbacks and development in multifamily areas, while having greater flexibility in site design and massing, should clearly respond to conditions on adjacent parcels. Otherwise, the mini-neighborhoods within the planning area risk losing their distinctiveness. In the development or redevelopment of properties on the edge of the planning area, particularly adjacent to the West Napa Street corridor, uses should be laid out to minimize potential conflicts with adjacent commercial development, while maximizing appropriate connections. In order to preserve the city’s largest stock of affordable senior housing, the regular maintenance of the mobile home parks’ grounds and of the individual coaches should be encouraged.

C. Potential Changes. The need for street improvements within the area is limited mainly to traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements, such as safety improvements to the bike path crossing on West MacArthur Street. Hayes Street, between Bettencourt Street and West MacArthur Street, will ultimately be improved to a full width as adjoining properties develop. In the long term, intersection improvements may be needed at Fifth Street West/Andrieux Street and Fifth Street West/West MacArthur Street. Although a significant environmental feature, Sonoma Creek is largely inaccessible within the planning area, but a bike/pedestrian connection has been developed along it between Oregon Street and Napa Road. The Fryer Creek bike/walking path should be extended, if possible, to connect with Second Street West. Throughout the planning area, gaps in the sidewalks and in street tree plantings need to be filled. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning Standards.

B. Building Design.

C. Street and Block Layout. It is intended that streets within the Central-West planning area will be maintained at their existing width and alignment. (Ord. 02-2021 § 1(5), 2021; Ord. 03-2004 § 3, 2004; Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Existing Conditions. The Southwest planning area, which is entirely residential, is marked by sharp contrasts between rural and urban development. Malet Street and Harrington Drive are rural enclaves, developed mainly with older residences. New residential development includes a single-family tract and a series of higher density tracts featuring detached units on small lots. The Southwest area is bounded by rural and agricultural lands outside of the city’s sphere of influence on the south and west, with the Broadway corridor and the gateway at Four Corners to the east, and urban residential development to the north. The Fryer Creek channel bisects the area. No east-west streets traverse the planning area (with the exception of Leveroni Road), due to the presence of the creek, but there is a bicycle/pedestrian connection at the southern end of the channel. This crossing connects bike/pedestrian pathways which run along either side of the channel, providing access to the two neighborhood parks within the planning area.

Existing land uses include:

B. Desired Future. The general objectives for this area are to preserve the Harrington and Malet Street areas as rural enclaves and to regulate additions and modifications to existing planned developments. Over time, the unincorporated areas of Malet Street and Harrington Drive will be annexed to the city so that the residents of those areas may have the benefit of reliable water and sewer service. However, these areas are intended to be preserved as pockets of rural development. New development within these areas and future public improvements should be consistent with that goal. Existing and planned single-family developments within the planning area will inevitably contrast with adjacent rural areas. While the general character of development within these areas will be that of urban density single-family residential, transitional design elements should be used, especially at street connections between urban and rural areas. The planned developments within the Southwest area were designed with little room for change. Additions and renovations will be greatly restricted due to the small lot sizes and narrow setbacks associated with these developments.

C. Intended Changes. Harrington Drive and Malet Street west of First Street West will require some level of upgrading, but street sections should reflect and reinforce the rural qualities of those areas. Elsewhere in the planning area, gaps in the sidewalk system need to be closed and, in the long term, sidewalks (with planter strips) will probably be extended along Fifth Street West and Leveroni Road. Except for a connection between Newcomb Street and Malet Street and possible improvements to the intersection of Fifth Street West and Leveroni Road, no major street improvements are planned. For health and safety reasons, water and sewer lines will have to be extended along Malet Street and, in the long term, along Fifth Street West and Leveroni Road. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning Standards.

B. Building Design.

C. Street and Block Layout. It is intended that streets within the Southwest planning area will be maintained at their existing width and alignment with the following exceptions:

A. Existing Conditions. Although the Gateway commercial district encompasses only 59 acres, its future development is crucial to the identity of Sonoma. It forms the southern entrance to the city and marks the division between the rural and agricultural character of the unincorporated area and the urban features of the city. The district is bounded by existing and planned multifamily development to the west and north, rural residential, agricultural, and vacant parcels to the south, and Nathanson Creek to the east. Broadway and Napa/Leveroni Road divide the district into quarters.

Existing land uses include:

B. Desired Future. The Gateway district should provide an attractive and distinctive entrance to Sonoma. In terms of uses, the Gateway district should provide a mix of resident- and visitor-serving uses, along with a substantial residential component. The district should complement, not compete with, the Plaza, and should provide shopping and service opportunities for existing and future residential development in southern Sonoma. In terms of site planning, architecture, and landscaping, new development and redevelopment should draw from the best examples of Sonoma. Existing local serving uses within the district should be retained and encouraged to upgrade in keeping with the overall goals for the area.

The development of the Gateway district will contrast with the rural and agricultural lands of the unincorporated territory to the south, east and west. Design sensitivity will be needed to make this contrast pleasing rather than jarring. Larger setbacks and lower building heights are appropriate at the edge properties of the district, with smaller setbacks and higher buildings at the core. It is expected that the hotel at the northwest quadrant of the district will anchor other visitor-serving uses and encourage the improvement of other properties in the area.

Pedestrians must be better served – by extending sidewalks with planter strips along major roads, by reducing driveway cuts, and by requiring pedestrian pathways and connections in new development. A street tree planting program should be developed and implemented in conjunction with frontage improvements.

C. Potential Changes. In terms of road improvements, the southernmost segment of Broadway within the Gateway district will ultimately be widened to three lanes. Napa and Leveroni Road may not need to be widened, but shoulder improvements will be necessary in some areas, as well as turn-pockets. The intersection of Broadway and Napa/Leveroni Road will need to be improved with landscaping, sidewalks, and crosswalks. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning Standards.

B. Building Design.

A. Existing Conditions. Connecting the southern gateway to the downtown, the Broadway corridor possesses considerable historic, visual, and functional significance. Historically, Broadway completes the Camino Real or “Royal Road” of Spanish/Mexican mission settlements. Visually, Broadway provides a grand entrance to downtown Sonoma with its axial view of the Plaza, City Hall, and the northern hills, its 110-foot right-of-way, and its procession of street trees. Functionally, Broadway is a segment of State Route 12 and is a major traffic arterial. The Broadway corridor is flanked by residential areas, with Nathanson Creek forming its eastern edge and First Street West its western boundary. Parcels along Broadway tend to be long and narrow (to widths of 50 feet) and some have double frontages.

North of MacArthur Street, Broadway possesses a clear visual organization defined by historic structures with landscaped front yards and generally regular setbacks, street trees, and a consistent street width. South Broadway, in contrast, features a patchwork of older (but not historic) commercial buildings, new commercial and multifamily residential development, historic single-family homes and remnant agricultural buildings. These uses are interspersed with vacant parcels. However, the dominant use on South Broadway, in terms of area, appearance, and intensity, is the high school. Street improvements along South Broadway are inconsistent.

Existing land uses include:

B. Desired Future. Historic structures on Broadway will be preserved, restored and re-used, while new development will respect and contribute to the character of the area. Mixed use development will be directed so as to retain the predominantly residential character of First Street West while enlivening Broadway with small-scale retail, office, and residential uses. With respect to the high school and the middle school, careful placement of playing fields, parking and school uses will be required in order to assure compatibility with neighboring residential areas.

C. Potential Changes. South of MacArthur Street, Broadway will be improved to a consistent configuration. Gaps in the sidewalk system and street tree plantings will be closed. Intersection improvements may ultimately be needed at Broadway/Andrieux Street. With the expansion of the high school, its main entrance has been aligned with Newcomb Street and a traffic signal has been installed at that intersection. The gains in pedestrian safety associated with this improvement will only be fully realized if the high school frontage is redesigned to prevent pedestrians from crossing at the Malet Street intersection. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning Standards.

B. Building Design.

A. Existing Conditions. The Downtown district is the heart of Sonoma. The district centers on the Plaza and the historic downtown, collectively designated as a National Historic Landmark. The Sonoma Plaza is an eight-acre park, framed by historic buildings, with City Hall at its center. The downtown encompasses a lively concentration of small businesses, including restaurants, bookstores, specialty retail, and offices. A cluster of historically significant buildings on the north side of the district, including the mission and the barracks, are managed as a state park. Outside of the original downtown area, the western portion of the district contains a mix of single-family, multifamily, retail, and office development, including a modern shopping center. Multifamily development lies at the northwest and southeast edges of the district.

Existing land uses include:

B. Desired Future. The primary objectives for the Downtown district are to preserve and enhance its historic character and to retain and promote its economic vitality as a commercial, cultural, and civic center attractive to residents and visitors. New construction and new uses should build upon the established character of the downtown. High quality architecture, pedestrian-friendly design, and uses which draw locals as well as tourists are reasonable expectations for Sonoma’s most distinctive district. While commercial uses will remain preeminent, the downtown’s housing stock should be preserved and extended. Multifamily and live-work development in the town center provide customers for downtown businesses and reduce automobile dependence. Higher density residential development at the edges of the district confers similar benefits and establishes a transition to lower density residential areas.

Many locals prefer to walk to the Plaza rather than drive, a choice which should be made as convenient and enjoyable as possible. Pedestrian amenities and connections should be extended throughout the district. The continued development of readily accessible off-street parking is also needed, as by choice or necessity, many visitors, local shoppers, and those who live or work in the downtown area will drive. In developing new parking or renovating existing parking, the creation of driveway connections between parking areas and pedestrian connections to commercial destinations should be emphasized.

C. Potential Changes. Opportunities to create additional off-street parking should be pursued and interior connections between existing off-street parking lots should be created. A pedestrian path linking the Plaza with Depot Park and with the Sonoma Overlook Trail is planned in conjunction with improvements to the Casa Grande parking lot and the Maysonnave property. Additional plantings are needed to fill gaps in the layout of street trees. In terms of traffic improvements, West Napa Street between First Street West and Second Street West may need to be reconfigured as a three-lane street section. The re-use or other disposition of the former fire station property on Broadway and Patten Street will need to be considered. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning Standards.

B. Building Design.

A. Existing Conditions. Located in west and northwest Sonoma, the West Napa Street/Sonoma Highway corridor is a commercial strip comprised of segments of State Highway 12. Beginning at West Napa Street/Third Street West, it extends westward along West Napa Street to Riverside Drive, then northward along the Sonoma Highway to Harley Street. Although it contains a wide variety of uses and building types, many of the blocks within the corridor present a pleasing appearance and exhibit a high degree of visual organization. The corridor is also punctuated by shopping centers with expansive parking lots, some only lightly landscaped, which break the rhythm established by smaller-scale development. Still other segments are more notable for their natural features and present a distinctly rural appearance (Sonoma Creek is a significant, if underutilized, natural amenity). Throughout the corridor, there are axial views of the hills surrounding Sonoma. West Napa Street and the Sonoma Highway are the city’s primary collectors and the corridor contains the most heavily travelled streets in Sonoma.

Existing land uses include:

B. Desired Future. While fulfilling its role as a traffic artery, the West Napa Street/Sonoma Highway corridor should be upgraded visually and made kinder to pedestrians. Towards these ends, a program for filling gaps in the sidewalk and street tree system should be developed and implemented. When frontage improvements are required of new development and redevelopment, planter strips should be used rather than monolithic sidewalk. New development and redevelopment should incorporate any desirable site features, especially trees and existing buildings having a street presence. Driveway cuts should be minimized, especially through the use of shared access, and new parking should be located in the back of properties. Because much of the corridor backs onto residential development, site plan relationships must be carefully evaluated. Ideally, new commercial uses should be designed to relate to the extent feasible with adjacent residential development; at a minimum, adequate screening and buffering are required.

C. Intended Changes. The improvement of West Napa/Seventh Street West is necessary for safe pedestrian access to the library. Safety improvements are also needed at Sonoma Highway, where the bike path ends, in order to address unsafe pedestrian crossings in that area. It is projected that additional intersection improvements will be needed at West Napa Street/Fifth Street West and the county has expressed the intention of widening the Riverside Bridge and making adjustments to the West Napa/Sonoma Highway/Riverside intersection. Any improvements to that location should be viewed as an opportunity to beautify the intersection through additional landscaping. (Ord. 2003-02 § 3, 2003).

A. Site Planning Standards.