HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2025-072 N.C.S. 06/02/2025Resolution No. 2025-072 N.C.S.Page 1 of 2
Resolution No. 2025-072 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION APPROVING A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SONOMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
PRESERVATION AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT SOUTH SONOMA MOUNTAIN PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (SCAPOSD) plans to
submit an application to the Wildlife Conservation Board and the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation
Program through the Department of Conservation to establish conservation easements on four parcels along the
ridge of Sonoma Mountain; and
WHEREAS, conservation easements on these properties would preserve the rural, agricultural natures of
these parcels indefinitely, preventing the establishment of subdivisions of housing or more intensive commercial
uses; and
WHEREAS, Petaluma voters passed Measure Y to modify and extend Petaluma’s Urban Growth Boundary
on November 5, 2025 with votes in favor totaling of over 70% of votes cast; and
WHEREAS, adoption of this Resolution is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), which established the general rule for projects
concerning which it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a
significant effect on the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1.Declares the above recitals to be true and correct and are incorporated into this resolution as findings of the
City Council.
2.Finds that the adoption of this Resolution is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), which established the general rule for projects
concerning which it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may
have a significant effect on the environment.
3.Supports the SCAPOSD application for the Southern Sonoma Mountain project and directs staff to submit
the executed Letter of Opposition (Exhibit A to this Resolution) to SCAPOSD staff for inclusion in their
application.
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
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 2nd day of June 2025,
by the following vote:
Approved as to
form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES: McDonnell, Nau, Quint, Shribbs
Docusign Envelope ID: 5D9C8E5D-ABDB-45FF-8D97-44587DEE3CF2
Resolution No. 2025-072 N.C.S. Page 2 of 2
NOES: Barnacle, Cader Thompson, DeCarli
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
Deputy City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor
Docusign Envelope ID: 5D9C8E5D-ABDB-45FF-8D97-44587DEE3CF2
Exhibit A
June 2, 2025
Dr. Jennifer Norris
Wildlife Conservation Board
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento CA 94244
Jennifer Lucchesi
Department of Conservation
715 P. St, MS 1900
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: Support for Funding South Sonoma Mountain Conservation Easements (Grove, Rodgers Creek
North, Rodgers Creek South, and Skyline)
Dear Directors Norris and Lucchesi:
The City Council of the City of Petaluma expresses its strong support for the South Sonoma
Mountain project proposed by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space
District. This vital project on the County’s iconic, namesake mountain seeks funding from the
Wildlife Conservation Board and the Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation Program to acquire
conservation easements on four separate properties, protecting a total of 1,663 acres of land in
perpetuity. The properties under consideration are: Grove, Rodgers Creek North, Rodgers Creek
South, and Skyline. All four easements will preserve a critical area of Sonoma Mountain, a scenic
and environmentally significant landscape in Sonoma County. Furthermore, the project benefits of
resource conservation and protection from development are aligned with the City’s goals for its
Lafferty Ranch Open Space property which is in close proximity to the proposed project.
The proposed conservation easements are crucial for safeguarding the region’s unique
ecosystems—protecting vital wildlife connectivity, sensitive habitats, and climate refugia and
supporting sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. By limiting development, the project
avoids fragmentating a regionally recognized critical habitat linkage while also protecting thriving
working ranches. Protecting these properties will secure existing carbon stocks and promote future
carbon sequestration, reduce human-caused wildfire risks, and conserve local water resources.
Securing conservation easements will also enable the properties to remain intact, and protect
essential habitat for wildlife species, including oak woodland, freshwater marsh, and Rodgers
Docusign Envelope ID: 5D9C8E5D-ABDB-45FF-8D97-44587DEE3CF2
April 21, 2025
Page 2
Creek—a tributary to Sonoma Creek that serves as critical stream habitat for ESA-listed steelhead
and California red-legged frog.
All four properties are being managed as part of a 10-mile “migration corridor” by the Sonoma
Mountain Institute (SMI), a nonprofit focused on regenerative grazing with management practices
that are simultaneously good for wildlife and a productive grazing operation. SMI started managing
the properties in 2023 and the regenerative practices are already benefitting the ranch operation
through increased Animal Unit Months but decreased pressure on the landscape. In addition, there
are benefits to the wildlife and wildlife habitat through replacing fencing to be wildlife friendly,
removal of invasive species, and a modernized water distribution system.
Funding the four proposed South Sonoma Mountain conservation easements is a critical investment
in preserving the region’s scenic beauty, securing the long-term protection of its natural resources,
and supporting sustainable, regenerative grazing practices. The City strongly encourages the Wildlife
Conservation Board and the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Program to support this essential project
as it will benefit both the community and the environment for generations to come.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Kevin McDonnell Karen Nau
Mayor Vice Mayor
_______________________________ _______________________________
Brian Barnacle Janice Cader Thompson
Council member Council member
_______________________________ _______________________________
Alex DeCarli Frank Quint
Council member Council member
_______________________________
John Shribbs
Council member
Docusign Envelope ID: 5D9C8E5D-ABDB-45FF-8D97-44587DEE3CF2