It's a pleasure, not unexpected, to report that we are closing in on our goal of gathering 1,500 signatures, which will be more than enough to qualify our initiative for a special election this fall. A team of over 40 unpaid volunteers has been at work at the Farmer's Markets, at retail shopping centers and in neighborhoods in Sonoma, speaking with voters and informing them of the intent and methodology of the Hotel Limitation Measure.
When passed by the voters of Sonoma, this measure will join the city's existing Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) limiting the number of homes that can be built within large housing developments (25 per year) and the sprawl-stopping 20-year Urban Growth Boundary prohibiting annexation of new parcels into the city limits (passed by voter initiative in 2000) in helping to moderate the pace of growth in Sonoma.
The Sonoma we enjoy today is no accident; it is the result of recognizing that unless market forces are restrained by development regulations, Sonoma will suffer the fate of other wine country towns like Yountville, where the number of hotel rooms has skyrocketed while the resident population has shrunk by 10% in recent years. The message is clear; it's fun to visit Disneyland, but not much fun to live there.
Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Thanks to all who have signed the petition. We will continue to gather signatures for a few weeks, so if you have not signed yet, let us know and we'll make arrangements to meet up with you. Contact us at www.PreservingSonoma.com
