Candidates highlight downtown, retail growth

September 22, 2004

By COREY YOUNG
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

(Editor's note: This is the second of a series of stories about issues in the Petaluma City Council campaign. Comments by candidates for council are taken from their responses to an Argus-Courier questionnaire.) -->

With the $75 million Theater District rising downtown and the city trying to bring in more shopping opportunities, issues of the downtown's revitalization and future retail stores are on the minds of Petaluma voters this fall.

The soon-to-be-open Kohl's store on North McDowell Boulevard and the recent news of a Target store slated for the Kenilworth Junior High property are just two examples of how Petaluma is trying to expand shopping for its residents and stave off painful budget cuts with increased sales tax dollars.

In addition, questions surround what might happen at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds site in the center of town and where exactly more stores might be built -- along East Washington Street, across from Petaluma Valley Hospital, near the factory outlets on Petaluma Boulevard North, all of the above or elsewhere.

The five candidates in this year's City Council race weigh in on Petaluma's downtown development and what else can be done to enhance the area, future retail growth in the city and the future of the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.

Karen Nau

"The downtown is beginning to take its new shape and the community will discover the wonderful opportunities that are there," candidate Karen Nau said. "The success of the new theater district will encourage other nearby properties to develop."

As for what else can be done to enhance and revitalize the area, Nau suggests the city find businesses to fulfill everyday needs of residents.

"Petaluma has many wonderful restaurants, shops and other businesses, yet lacks the everyday needs of the community," she said. "We need to encourage businesses that have the products for everyday life, such as a drugstore, clothing store and not just antique/gift stores."

Regarding downtown parking, Nau notes that the new parking garage going up as part of the theater district is one of several new garages called for in the Central Petaluma Specific Plan.

With the recent completion of a retail leakage study that examined where Petaluma residents are doing their shopping and why, "Petaluma needs to work proactively to attract the retail opportunities we apparently lack, such as a home electronics store," Nau said. "We also need the Target store that some people have been leaving town to shop at."

The downtown area should attract tourist destinations like tasting rooms or day spas, Nau said, pointing to the example of a new gourmet cheese production facility in the old creamery.

"It would be nice to have a department store downtown again, but there is not space," she added. "I grew up shopping at Carither's and Mattei's, which was for the whole family."

The issue of the fairgrounds space and what might happen with it could be a positive for all involved, Nau said.

"The possibility of the fair turning back its lease early could be a win-win for the fair and the community," she said. "The fair is an important tradition in Petaluma and we need to be very careful that we don't lose sight of how important it is. Agriculture is the roots of Petaluma and once it is gone, we cannot get it back. The fair board hasn't really made it clear that they are willing to give up the lease early and proceed with a new location on the outskirts of Petaluma."

Mike O'Brien

Councilmember Mike O'Brien said downtown parking issues are being addressed by the adoption of the Smart Code, and noted that the council looks at each and every project within the downtown area.

"Also, SPARC (Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee) does an excellent job of obtaining compliance with these issues," he said.

As for downtown enhancement, O'Brien favors the proposal for fire sprinklers in historic downtown buildings.

"I would much prefer to see protection of our historic downtown by a quick adoption of the proposed fire sprinkler ordinance," he said.

O'Brien says a realistic approach is needed to attracting future retail businesses.

"While protecting our downtown is vital, we cannot be blind to other opportunities," he said. "Our city manager is negotiating with and encouraging businesses to come to Petaluma. As long as we maintain a business-friendly environment, they will come."

Regarding the fairgrounds, O'Brien said a new site should be in place before any relocation effort begins.

"The fairgrounds should not be asked to relocate unless we have a suitable turnkey site for them to move to," he said. "They are an integral part of the fabric of our community and should not be lost."

Cindy Thomas

Candidate Cindy Thomas suggests a historic form of transportation to help people get to downtown.

"To enhance and revitalize the downtown area, we need easier access to the area, perhaps a downtown trolley service," she said. "A trolley ride downtown from the outer areas could get people there to spend local dollars and would provide downtown parking relief. Trolley stations with parking areas, bike racks and bus service connections could be located on the outskirts of the downtown area."

Thomas said she favors the retail approach outlined in last year's leakage study.

"I agree with the city's retail leakage study recommendation that new retail should be located downtown and along the Washington corridor," Thomas said. "The city should commit to focusing on smart mixed-use development of the Kenilworth site, which could be the home for the kinds of retail business and affordable housing that members of the community are asking for."

Thomas said the possible relocation of the fairgrounds is a sensitive issue.

"As a native of the North Bay area, the fairgrounds and the racetrack are of great sentimental value to me," she said. "I've attended the Sonoma-Marin Fair almost every year since I was a very young girl."

Thomas noted that the fairgrounds has moved at least once before, from west Petaluma.

"The community was able to adapt to the change, with time, of course," she said. "If future negotiations prove that relocation of the fairgrounds is the sensible choice, then I would support it. What I can't support is doing away with the fairgrounds, racetrack, pool or skateboard park until replacement sites are selected, built and ready to use."

Pamela Torliatt

Councilmember Pamela Torliatt said the city needs a maintenance plan for the downtown.

"We have put in a lot of amenities and will have the pedestrian access along the river," she said. "It needs to be kept clean. The City Council helped support creating the BID (Business Improvement District) and I think this would be one way to address the funding for the needed maintenance."

Torliatt also said volunteers are needed to work in the downtown, as has been done in the past with tree trimming and planting.

She noted that the 530-space parking garage going up as part of the theater district will be maintained by an assessment district and most of the spaces will be for public parking.

The city can attract needed retail businesses by working with existing shopping centers on the types of stores residents want, Torliatt said.

The city should "work with the owners of the existing shopping centers, Plaza North, Petaluma Plaza, Wash-ington Square, Golden Eagle, Kohl's and Regency Centers to help identify tenants that the city can support," she said.

Torliatt said she has requested since January that the City Council hold a joint meeting with the Sonoma-Marin Fair Board of Dir-ectors.

"We finally had a meeting scheduled for Sept. 8 to discuss this important issue and unfortunately the meeting was not noticed properly," Torliatt said. "I think we should have a follow-up meeting so the council and the fair board can address this issue in depth.

"I also feel we need to work hard to maintain our agricultural base in the city. We also need to ensure we continue to maintain open space in the center of the city, since we are advocating in-fill development."

Spence Burton

Candidate Spence Burton says encouraging more foot traffic would be a step in the right direction when it comes to improving downtown parking.

"Local public transit should also be available on weekends to feed the downtown area," he said. "A joint effort to coordinate usage of the Golden Eagle shopping center and downtown with parking, etc. might help alleviate some of the congestion that may now be generated by the additional growth.

"Most people can't carry large heavy packages or other purchases all the way back to their homes located throughout the city," he added. "After shopping they want to return to their vehicles, load them up with their many purchases and return home. Utilizing the Balshaw Bridge to access possible additional parking behind or adjacent to Golden Eagle could be explored as an option."

Burton said when he applied for the Planning Commission in 1997, one of his suggestions was to bring the types of stores to Petaluma that would generate high local sales tax revenue.

"I stated, at that time, that CompUSA would be a great business to solicit because there was none north of the Golden Gate," he said. "Since then, we now have one in San Rafael and one in Santa Rosa. We missed an excellent opportunity."

Burton said he would work closely with Regency Centers (developer of the Kenilworth Junior High site) or others to bring a Fry's Electronics store to town.

"It is vital in Telecom Valley to have quick access to computer and electronic equipment," he said. "Fry's would serve our video, audio and computer needs for years to come. If elected, I will personally try to contact them and urge them to consider opening a store in Petaluma. Target, Kohl's and Staples are good and positive steps in the right direction, but we still need to do more."

Burton doesn't support redeveloping or relocating the fairgrounds.

"The fairgrounds is a unique treasure in the middle of Petaluma, one that shouldn't be casually cast aside because of a need for sales tax revenues," he said. "Yes, it can be improved, upgraded and made more accessible to everyone, but with the paving over of the Kenilworth site, we may be losing too much of our local town character and feel that has attracted so many of us to move to this community."

If relocation moves forward, it needs to happen slowly, Burton said. He opposes moving the fairgrounds to the outskirts of Petaluma.

"Any relocation would affect future generations of Petalumans in such a dramatic way that ultimately I feel a ballot measure should be fully vetted and all of our citizens should vote on this matter," he said.

(Contact Corey Young at cyoung@arguscourier.com)