HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2022-167 N.C.S. 10/24/2022 DocuSign Envelope ID:F6BAA1D8-74E6-4A6C-9F23-8B6DOCD24B66
Resolution No. 2022-167 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
ADOPTING GUIDING PRINCIPLES REGARDING
THE FUTURE OF THE CITY FAIRGROUNDS PROPERTY
WHEREAS, the City-owned property where the Sonoma-Marin Fair has been held for at least the past 50
years consists of 55 acres near the center of Petaluma, generally bounded by East Washington Street, Payran
Street and Kenilworth Drive; and
WHEREAS, the entire Fairgrounds property has been leased to the Fourth District Agricultural Association
(DAA) for$1 per year, giving the DAA full control under the lease to utilize and manage the entire Fairgrounds
property subject to the lease; and
WHEREAS, by virtue of the DAA's status as a state agency and district agricultural associations like the
DAA being exclusively subject to state regulatory control, the DAA's use of the Fairgrounds property under the
lease has been exempt from City regulations, including City land use and zoning requirements and permitting
authority; and
WHEREAS,the City Fairgrounds property was acquired in 1911 with the proceeds of a voter-approved bond
to purchase the land then known as Kenilworth Park for use as a City park; and
WHEREAS, the City bond indenture for the purchase of the park land included no restrictions on the land's
use, nor were deed restrictions on the land's use recorded against the property, and the City continues to own the
property in fee subject only to easements that apply to the property; and
WHEREAS, the City first leased the property now referred to as the Fairgrounds property to the DAA to
conduct fair activities on the site in 1947, and entered into the current lease effective January 1, 1973; and
WHEREAS,the current lease to the DAA had an initial term of 25 years, and a 25 year renewal option,which
the DAA exercised; and
WHEREAS,the DAA's lease to the Fairgrounds property is set to expire on December 31, 2023, and cannot
be reviewed in its current form due to restrictions on leases of City property pursuant to the Petaluma City Charter;
and
WHEREAS, the City Fairgrounds property, the largest parcel of land in the City, is located in the center of
Petaluma, adjacent to Highway 101, East Washington Street, a major City arterial, near major retail shopping
centers and the Petaluma River, and is zoned for Civic Facilities and Mixed Use; and
WHEREAS, on February 28, 2022,the City Council approved a City Community Outreach and Engagement
Plan to inform future decisions about the Fairgrounds property; and
WHEREAS, the Outreach and Engagement Plan included a robust public engagement process with a range
of methods for collecting input from residents, stakeholders and the broader community through surveys, exhibits
and workshops, and a facilitated, lottery selected community advisory panel to deliberate and make
recommendations on a vison for the future of the Fairgrounds property; and
Resolution No. 2022-167 N.C.S. Page 1
DocuSign Envelope ID:F6BAA1D8-74E6-4A6C-9F23-8B6DOCD24B66
WHEREAS, on July 11, 2022, the community advisory panel presented to the City Council and to the
Petaluma community three reports,consisting of. Guiding Principles, a prioritized list of decision-making criteria
and key interests and important activities that final recommendations on Fairgrounds uses should consider; an
Outline of Pathways, listing possibilities and visions for the Fairgrounds site; and a Final Report, with final
recommendations and preferred Fairgrounds land uses,rationales, dissenting opinions and supporting details; and
WHEREAS, this resolution adopting guiding principles for the multi-year effort to act on community
feedback regarding the City Fairgrounds property's future uses is not a "project" within the meaning of Section
15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, because it is an administrative activity
that has no potential for resulting in physical change in the environment, in that the guiding principles will help
focus and provide continuity for future planning activities for the Fairgrounds property, which future planning
activities will be carried out in accordance with all applicable CEQA requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1. The above recitals are hereby declared to be true and correct and are incorporated into this resolution as
findings of City Council.
2. This resolution adopting guiding principles for the multi-year effort to act on community feedback regarding
the City Fairgrounds property's future uses is not a "project" within the meaning of Section 15378 of the
California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)Guidelines,because it is an administrative activity that has no
potential for resulting in physical change in the environment, in that the guiding principles will help focus and
provide continuity for future planning activities for the Fairgrounds property,which future planning activities
will be carried out in accordance with all applicable CEQA requirements.
3. The Guiding Principles attached to and made a part of this resolution as Exhibit A are hereby adopted to help
focus future City staff efforts to act on community feedback regarding future Fairgrounds uses and to provide
continuity for future planning activities for the Fairgrounds property to maximize the property's unique
potential as an asset for all community members.
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 meeting on the 24'day of October Docusigned fgrm:
2022,by the following vote: El �Q,
5EF85/�€8f3ALTOYney
AYES: Mayor Barrett,Vice Mayor Pocekay,Barnacle,Fischer,Healy,King,McDonnell tl�l�y ALL
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
DocuSigned by: DocuSigned�Qb.,y:
1-t
ATTEST: msou bYa U lll
City Clerk Mayor
Resolution No. 2022-167 N.C.S. Page 2
DocuSign Envelope ID: F6BAA1D8-74E6-4A6C-9F23-8B6DOCD24B66
EXHIBIT A
City of Petaluma
Guiding Principles for Determining Future Uses of the City's Fairgrounds Property
1. Purpose. The purpose of these Guiding Principles is to capture key interests expressed by City residents and
stakeholders, including the lottery-selected community advisory panel, and to help provide steady guidance
for staff on a multi-year effort to act on the community feedback regarding the City fairgrounds property's
future to maximize the property's unique potential as an asset for all community members. In adopting these
Guiding Principles the City Council recognizes that there will be numerous community discussions in the
future regarding the City Fairgrounds property and its highest and best uses, and expressly reserves the right
to revisit and update these Guiding Principles as needed and appropriate to help ensure the future uses of the
City Fairgrounds property will realize the unique potential of the property to preserve Petaluma's rich
agricultural history and to contribute to the vitality of community life for the benefit of all Petalumans.
2. Guiding Principles. The following are intended to guide all future efforts of Petaluma City staff to act on
and implement feedback from the Petaluma community and the City Council regarding future uses of the
Fairgrounds property:
• Acknowledge and build upon community input regarding the fairgrounds property while continuing to
engage with the community going forward.
• Create, maintain, and enhance authentic partnerships across stakeholders and community groups with an
interest in the fairgrounds property.
• Provide civic and institutional stability during the transition period and beyond so that the fair event and
other key uses continue.
• Affirm a renewed commitment of the City to the Petaluma community's agricultural future, present, and
past through near-, medium-, and long-term actions and milestones for the property and related
programs.
• Preserve and enhance key elements, resources, and activities at the fairgrounds property that the
community is connected to and that make the place unique.
• Honor the legacy of history,place, and community while fostering safety, health, inclusivity, cultural
connectedness, accessibility, and useability of the fairgrounds property for the benefit of all.
• Preserve and enhance the capacity of the fairgrounds property to provide critical emergency response
resources for Petaluma and the region.
• Preserve 20 acres of open space to ensure future annual fair events and evacuation center capabilities
and are maximized to effectively and compatibly accomplish as many of the community's needs and
wants for the fairgrounds property as possible.
Resolution No. 2022-167 N.C.S. Page 3