Health & Fitness
Community Update
To set the tone, I am posting my 11/8/2012 letter to then newly elected Supervisor Susan Gorin, along with her response, her only response....
Absolutely, I am forwarding this to Cherie for scheduling a meeting time.
Susan Gorin for Supervisor
Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On Nov 8, 2012, at 10:01 AM, Deborah Nitasaka wrote:
Hi Susan,
Congratulations again on your victory! I am so pleased that we will finally have a representative for the
Sonoma Valley who truly stands up for the people in her district.
I realize you are being inundated with meeting requests. Nonetheless, I must add my name to that list. I am
begging for some relief, and wish to meet with you to discuss how we can move forward in a safe and sane
manner concerning noise and the destruction of neighborhoods due to the loss of essential housing via
vacation rental conversion.
As a resident of Glen Ellen, I am living through a transformation of our town and its residential
neighborhoods that is far beyond disturbing. Single family homes are being rezoned for use as commercial
lodging establishments as a frightening rate. In my tiny neighborhood, I would estimate there are at least 6-8
homes that have flipped to commercial lodging establishments just since this Spring!
As a result, we are unable to sleep, to feel safe in our homes, or to otherwise enjoy our once tranquil
surroundings. These businesses are void of management, many are operating without benefit of the required
zoning change, and are nothing more than rave houses.
Supervisor Brown has refused to meet with me to discuss the need for true zoning enforcement or to look at
the need for a noise ordinance. I should add that I spoke with a PRMD representative earlier this week who
told me they are unable to adequately police this program due to budget cuts. He indicated they are currently
backlogged by hundreds of complaints! He and I also agreed the push to convert rural neighborhoods to
TOT revenue streams has nothing to do with any kind of transient lodging shortage!
As is evident, this situation is growing out of control and must immediately be addressed. I have spoken with
several of my neighbors about this issue. Some are contemplating selling out. Some are thinking of adding to
the problem by converting their homes to this business option.
It is just weird that home owners currently have no access to due process even as their neighborhoods are
being decimated by these abrupt zoning change. While we aren't zoned to allow horses and other large
animals, even on half-acre parcels, we must now endure the ravages of 24/7 transient revelers on adjacent
properties zoned "residential," not "commerical!" We have even been told by law enforcement officials,
Valerie Brown, and PRMD representives that we will just have to live with the dangers, partying, rampant
noise, and drunk drivers.
Please help Glen Ellen, Kenwood, and the other small, unincorporated communities now under siege by
party-happy drunks and carpetbaggers. We want our communities back. We expect single family homes to
house permanent occupants, not out-of-control alcoholic transients.
