HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 94-99 04/18/1994r
j- ~ ReS01Ut1®Y] Nom. 94-99 N.~.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOL UTION REGARDING PROPOSED RESER VA TION STA T US FOR
THE MAKAHMO POMO TRIBE
1 WHEREAS, the Makahmo Pomo Nation has an option to purchase 265 acres south of
2 Petaluma, generally. known as the Ford Ranch, for a reservation site; and
3
4 WHEREAS, there have been previous proposals for development of the Ford Ranch
5 and nearby areas in excess of Sonoma County General Plan designated uses which have not
6 been approved; and
7
8 WHEREAS, the Makahmo Pomo Nation has not been willing to provide specific plans
9 and details for design of this reservation site; and
10
11 WHEREAS, in the recent past, the Makahmo Pomo Tribe has attempted to develop a
12 large casino complex in Santa Rosa with a potential capacity of 10,000 people per day; and
13
14 WHEREAS, in the absence of specific plans, the City of Petaluma assumes the casino
15 complex design will be transferred to the Ford Ranch site; and
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17 WHEREAS, the daily influx of 10,000 people into this sensitive rural area will cause
18 unacceptable levels of noise, air pollution, traffic congestion and housing problems; and
19
20 WHEREAS, federal and state government have no regulatory mechanisms for
21 governing the gambling operations proposed; and
22
23 WHEREAS, local law enforcement would have no authority to provide protection for
24 citizens on the reservation and are not adequately staffed to cope with the public safety
25 impacts outside the reservation; and
26
27 WHEREAS, the General Plan land use designation and zoning both designate the
28 property for agricultural use with a small amount of commercial zoning; and
29
30 WHEREAS, the General .Plan also has designated this property as a part of the
31 community separator between Petaluma and the town of Novato with a maximum density of
32 four homes; and
33
34 WHEREAS, infrastructure to serve 10,000 people daily is not available with limited
35 water and sewer capacity and cone-lane dirt road access from Highway 101; and
36
37 WHEREAS, additional access from existing public roads would cross sensitive
3 8 wetlands; and
HeS. No..........9.4-9.9...... N.C.S.
a
1 WHEREAS, the independent sovereignty of the Makahmo-Porno reservation on this
site would preempt local land use controls and the safeguards of the California Environmental
3 Quality Act which assure that land uses contrary to the community health, safety and general
4 welfare are avoided and environmental impacts mitigated;
6 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Petaluma City Council requests
7 that the Bureau of Indian Affairs denies reservation status to the Makahmo Porno Tribe on the
8 Ford Ranch site unless the site is developed in compliance with General Plan requirements;
9 and
10
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a combined environmental impact study and
12 environmental impact report be required as part of any development on the Ford Ranch site
13 and that the environmental assessment considers the full buildout of the entire site not just the
14 preliminary proposal; and
15
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Petaluma requests, under provision of
17 the Freedom of Information Act, that the financial plan and financing proposal of applicants
18 be made public; and
19
20 BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the City of Petaluma has a sincere interest in
21 working with Native Americans to address their legitimate concerns provided that their goals
22 do not jeopardize the public heath, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the city and
23 county.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Approved as to
Council of the City of Petaluma at a (Regular) (~p~,pp~j~~~$@) meeting ~~ f°rm
on the ..1$th .............. day of ........QAAI:I.I..........-.....---.........._..........., 19-94-., by the ~(!r.~f,Ce~~
following vote: ~1~
City Attorney
AYES: Sobel, Hamilton, Barlas, Shea, Vice Mayor Read, Mayor Hilligoss
NOES: None
ABSENT: None (Ne gned 4/4/94)
City Clerk
. L ._
,,
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Mayor
Council File-°-------°----°---------------
CA 10-85 : Res. No. ...~.~-.9.9~~~~~~~~~~~~~ N.C.S.