City of Cloverdale
Planning Commission Recommended
Draft General Plan
January 10, 2007
( Note. This is the Citizen's Advisory Committee December 15, 2005 Plan
as revised by the Planning Commission January 10, 2007)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Page 1
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Page 2
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The Cloverdale General Plan includes goals, policies, and implementation programs that
constitute the formal policy of the City for land use, development, and environmental
quality. This is an update of the General Plan adopted in 1993.
1.2 CLOVERDALE SETTING
The City of Cloverdale is located at the northern end of the picturesque Alexander
Valley where the Mayacmas Mountains meet the Coast Range. The Russian River flows
through the center of the Valley, and the developed portion of the City is located on the
valley floor west of the Russian River and east of the Coast Range. Cloverdale is at the
extreme north end of Sonoma County, located approximately 67 miles southeast of the
town of Mendocino, 34 miles northwest of Santa Rosa, and 25 miles south of Ukiah.
Map 1 shows the City's location relative to other cities, highways, geographical features,
and Sonoma County boundaries.
Sonoma County has a population of 474,993. The County’s eight incorporated cities,
Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Sebastopol, Cotati, and
Cloverdale, contained a combined population of 322,693 ( Department of Finance
estimates 1/ 1/ 04).
1.3 PURPOSE AND NATURE OF THE GENERAL PLAN
The General Plan is a legal document, required by state law, and serves as a City’s
" constitution" for development and the use of land. It is a comprehensive, long- term
document, detailing proposals for the “ physical development of the City, and of any
land outside its boundaries which in the planning agency's judgment bears relation to its
planning” ( Government Code Sections 65300 et seq.). The Cloverdale General Plan has a
time horizon to the year 2025. The General Plan represents a picture of what the City
will look like in 2025 based on following the Plan’s goals and policies.
The law specifically requires that the General Plan address seven topics or “ elements.”
These are land use, circulation ( transportation), housing, conservation, open space,
noise, and safety. In addition, the General Plan includes three optional elements --
Parkland and Recreation, Community Design, and Urban Lighting Elements.
The law requires that a General Plan shall consist of a statement of development policies
and must include diagrams and text setting forth objectives, principles, standards and
plan proposals. The Cloverdale General Plan uses the following organization to
implement the state law. The following definitions describe the nature of the statements
of goals, policies, objectives, and implementation programs as they are used in this
document.
Goal: The goal is a general expression of community values that identifies the
desired end state either during or at the end of the General Plan process.
Policy: A specific statement in text or diagram guiding action and implying clear
commitment. Policies may also include quantified targets, which are considered as
“ objectives” in some General Plans.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Page 3
Implementation Program: An action, procedure, program, or technique that carries
out General Plan policy. Implementation programs also specify primary
responsibility for carrying out the action and a time frame for its accomplishment.
Responsibility: Identification of the City departments or other parties responsible
for the implementation of a policy or program.
Diagrams: Maps, charts and diagrams in the General Plan are General Plan policies
unless they are clearly intended to be informative in nature.
The General Plan sets out policies and identifies ways to put these policies into action.
These various actions rest on two essential powers of local government: corporate and
police powers. Using its " corporate power," the City collects money through bonds, fees,
assessments, and taxes, and spends it to provide services and facilities such as police
and fire protection, streets, water and sewage disposal facilities, and parks. Using its
" police power," the City regulates citizens' use of their property through zoning,
subdivision, and building regulations in order " to promote the health, safety, and
welfare of the public." The General Plan provides the framework for the exercise of
these powers by local officials.
State law requires that the local government review its General Plan on an annual basis.
One requirement is to annually review the Capital Improvement Plan to determine its
compliance with the General Plan ( Government Code Section 65103 ( b) and ( c)). The
other requirement is that the local planning agency provide an annual report to the
legislative body on the status of the plan and progress of its implementation
( Government Code Section 65400).
1.4 HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE
The townsite of Cloverdale was originally part of the Mexican Rancho Rincon de
Muscalon, a long narrow strip of land comprising 8,776 acres on both sides of the
Russian River. The 1846 grantee of the Rancho, Francisco Berryessa, sold it in 1851 to
Johnson Horrel who, in 1858, deeded 759 acres to Richard B. Markle and W. J. Miller.
The two men established a trading post and tavern adjacent to the Russian River and the
town of Cloverdale began.
Early settlers were predominantly farmers or ranchers who purchased properties for
sheep, stock, vineyards or hops. J. A. Kleiser and David C. Brush purchased the 759
acres in 1859 and had the site surveyed, plotted and improved the main streets and
erected a number of buildings. Commerce soon followed with various businesses being
established. Isaac E. Shaw arrived in 1872 and operated a hardware and grocery store
and later a bank. The town developed in other ways, adding a post office, newspaper,
school, social lodges and a few churches.
In 1872, Cloverdale was incorporated as a City and an official map of the City Limits
was drawn by Daniel F. Spurr. The railroad soon arrived, adding to the town's
commercial, shipping and tourist viability. By 1878, the railroad service provided three
trains a day between Cloverdale to San Francisco. In or about 1886, the citizens of
Cloverdale organized a volunteer fire company. The first City building, a combined
firehouse and City Hall, opened its doors in August 1887. The first street lights, fueled
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Page 4
by coal gas, appeared in 1884. Telephone service began in 1883, water in 1884,
electriCity in 1897. The Citrus Fair was initiated in 1893.
The economy of Cloverdale in the early 1900' s revolved around the agricultural, timber
and railroad industries. The population always hovered around 1,000. The area was
also known for its excellent wine production and warm climate. The 1900 census for
Cloverdale shows eleven " grape growers” and eight " winemakers". However, the local
wine industry suffered greatly during prohibition and several vineyards were turned to
other uses.
The advent of mechanized equipment in both the timber and automobile industries
further shaped Cloverdale. A number of logging mills were constructed in the area and
served as major employers. With the availability of employment, the town experienced
a boom in growth from 1940 to 1960 when the population rose from 800 to around 3,000.
With the advent of the automobile and the slow improvement of Highway 101,
Cloverdale become more of a highway oriented community. Businesses catering to the
traveling public become common along Cloverdale Blvd. in the early 1960' s. The first
zoning map of Cloverdale was adopted in 1953, delineating the entire length of
Cloverdale Blvd. as " Highway Commercial" and the rest of the community in two
categories of residential districts.
The first General Plan for the City was adopted in 1978. At the time, the population was
3,770. The Plan set forth an ultimate urban boundary, redefined the City Sphere of
Influence and proposed a maximum population of 17,800 by the year 2000. The 1978
Plan and the resulting zoning map deleted or converted a portion of the highway
commercial area and added further definitions to the residential districts, including for
the first time, hillside areas.
In the 1980' s, the City annexed approximately 300 acres to the south, extending its City
Limits to Santana Lane. Development plans for these properties were considered and
approved by the City. A series of development applications for residential projects were
submitted to the City in the late 1980' s. Growth in the residential housing market was
occurring at a rapid pace along the Highway 101 corridor and Cloverdale began to
experience this pressure.
In the early 1990' s, the City received word from the State of California that the long
awaited Highway 101 Bypass was funded and would be constructed by 1995. At the
same time, industries in resource products fields such as timber manufacturing field and
the Geysers began to lose force as the major employers in the Cloverdale area. In 1990,
the City adopted a Downtown Specific Plan aimed at revitalizing the downtown
business district and designating this area as the City's retail and cultural center. In light
of the recent changes in the amount of growth, the effects of the Highway 101 Bypass
and the evolving economy, the City authorized the preparation of a General Plan in late
1990.
Since adoption of the 1993 General Plan, the City took several steps to respond to the
Highway 101 bypass. Following Economic Development Commission
recommendations, the City developed infrastructure in the south industrial area,
developed the Cloverdale Boulevard beautification program, developed the River Park,
and the Cloverdale Pride Committee undertook a successful program to clean up
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Page 5
unsightly properties. In the late 1990’ s Bay Area residential demand reached
Cloverdale, and residential growth proceeded at roughly three times the historic rate.
The Clover Springs community was the largest single residential project in that time
period. After completion of the 101 bypass, the south interchange was developed with
typical freeway interchange projects and the Furber Shopping center. Also, a golf course
and resort was proposed on the southern destination commercial site ( former Louisiana
Pacific lumber yard), and the sphere of influence was expanded to include that site.
1.5 PREPARATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN
Preparation of the General Plan started with two Town Hall meetings in January and
February 2004. The City Council then appointed a 15- member Citizen's Advisory
Committee to recommend a concept General Plan to the Planning Commission and City
Council. The Citizen's Advisory Committee met from June 2004 to December 2005, and
recommended a draft plan to the Planning Commission and City Council on December
15, 2005.
The draft General Plan was formulated to minimize environmental impacts, with the
goal that adoption of the General Plan would be the primary mitigation of impacts
identified in the Environmental Impact Report.
The Planning Commission held public hearings on the General Plan on ** 2006. The
Commission forwarded their recommendations to the City Council and
recommendation for approval of the Draft General Plan on ** 2006.
The City Council received the recommendations of the Planning Commission and held
public hearings on ** 2006. The Council considered land use changes related to issues.
On ** the City Council adopted the Draft General Plan in its entirety.
Throughout the General Plan update the City made every effort to notify the public of
opportunities to be involved. Meetings were noticed in the local newspaper and at City
Hall; the City made several direct mailings to Cloverdale property owners and
organizations; and Cloverdale newspapers regularly carried topical articles on the
progress of the General Plan update.
1.6 COMPARISON OF THE 1978, 1993, AND 2005 GENERAL PLANS
The 2005 General Plan is the third General Plan for the City of Cloverdale. Each General
Plan addressed evolving economic and development issues in the community. The
following is a comparison of previous and current General Plans.
The 1978 and 1993 General Plans anticipated growth to the limits shown in this General
Plan. The 1978 General Plan had a study area larger than the proposed General Plan
study area, but anticipated that the ultimate City limits would be slightly less than the
current 2005 limits. The 1993 General Plan study area was expanded to the south in
1996. The expanded 1993 and 2005 General Plan study areas are coterminous except for
addition of the McCray Road area to the 2005 General Plan.
The 1978 General Plan anticipated a year 2000 population of 7,100 ( 2000 Census
population was 7,052). The 1993 General Plan anticipated a 2010 population of 10,781
( ABAG estimated 2010 population is 9,100). The 2005 General Plan projects a
population of 12,000 by 2025 ( ABAG estimated 2025 population is 11,000).
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Page 6
All three General Plans have encouraged compact development within the General Plan
defined growth boundaries, balanced housing, concentrated commercial areas and
discourage commercial development along the freeway, expand the job base to respond
to loss of timber related and extractive industry jobs, provide for open spaces, protect
hillside areas from development, preserve and enhance open spaces and natural
watercourses, and balance of housing and employment opportunities. The 1978 and
1993 General Plans anticipated the changes that would occur when the Highway 101
bypass occurred and recommended concentrated commercial in the downtown ( 1978)
and downtown and south interchange ( 1993), with removal of the strip commercial
development along Cloverdale Boulevard. The 1978 and 1993 General Plans anticipated
developing the River Park. The 1978 General Plan anticipated extension into the
McCray Road Area. The 1993 General Plan did not. The 2005 General Plan again
proposes to add McCray Road to the General Plan Study Area and Urban Service Area.
In 1978 and 1993, the focus of the General Plan was on economic vulnerability resulting
from lumber mill closures and the freeway bypass. The 1993 General Plan provided a
transition strategy to focus on a beautified downtown, removal of strip commercial
along Cloverdale Boulevard, provide for alternative industrial uses and jobs south of
downtown, and reserve three large areas for destination commercial use to attract
visitors. The 2005 General Plan retains the downtown and concentrated commercial
focus and protection of industrial lands south of town for industrial uses. The in- town
destination commercial site adjacent to the Citrus Fair has been changed to commercial,
the destination commercial site near the SMART passenger rail station has been mostly
changed to Transit Oriented Development, and the destination commercial area south of
the City has a proposed golf course development.
In 1978 and 1993, there were still large areas of vacant land for residential development.
Most of those areas were planned for “ innovative” mixes of densities; however, they
were primarily developed as conventional single family subdivisions. Most of those
vacant lands have been developed, and the 2005 General Plan anticipates that major
development will occur in infill areas, with the most substantial single area available for
development around the SMART passenger rail station.
1.7 PLANNING AREAS FOR THE 2005 GENERAL PLAN
The planning area for the General Plan encompasses 7.2 square miles ( 4,608 acres) and
extends generally east to the edge of the Russian River and west to the crest of the
ridgeline and south to Dutcher Creek Road. Highways 101 and 128 are a part of the
planning area as well as the City Municipal Airport. The northern boundary extends to
the north Highway 101 interchange and includes the McCray Road area. The Study
Area includes two major creeks, Cloverdale Creek to the north and Porterfield Creek to
the south. The General Plan planning area includes four separate geographical areas See
map 2. These are:
CITY LIMITS: The legal boundaries of the community, where land use is controlled
by the City. They encompass 2.5 square miles ( 1,601 acres).
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: The City Sphere of Influence is the area of the City that
has been approved for future annexation by the Sonoma County Local Agency
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Page 7
Formation Commission. It encompasses 2.3 square miles ( 1,474 acres) beyond the
City Limits. The Sphere of influence has remained generally consistent since the
adoption of the first General Plan in 1978, with only one extension approved since
the original General Plan was adopted in 1978. The Sonoma County General Plan
uses the Sphere of Influence to define the ultimate area to be annexed to the City.
URBAN SERVICE AREA: The City Urban Service Area is the area where the City
anticipates extending urban services ( e. g. water, sewer, police, etc.) It encompasses
1.3 square miles ( 760 acres) beyond the Sphere of Influence and can be considered
the “ secondary” Sphere of Influence.
STUDY AREA: The City Study Area encompasses 1.22 square miles ( 773 acres)
outside of the Urban Service Area and can be considered the areas under County
jurisdiction where the City expresses land use directions to help the County
determine transition policies between the urban City areas to the agriculture and
very low intensity uses under County jurisdiction.
Figure 1.1 Planning Area Individual and Cumulative Land Area
2005
acreage
2005
Square
Miles
Cumulative
Acreage
Cumulative
Sq miles.
City limits 1,601 acres 2.50 sq. mi. 1,601 acres 2.50 sq. mi.
Sphere of influence 1,474 acres 2.30 sq. mi. 3,075 acres 4.80 sq. mi.
Urban Service Area 760 acres 1.19 sq. mi. 3,835 acres 5.99 sq. mi.
Study area 773 acres 1.22 sq. mi. 4,608 acres 7.20 sq. mi.
1.8 ASSUMPTIONS GUIDING THE PREPARATION OF THE 2005 GENERAL
PLAN
In any 20- year General Plan time frame, a City can expect to accomplish a finite number
of major objectives. The General Plan Citizen's Advisory Committee has identified the
following 14 major objectives that will be applied to all of the General Plan elements.
Community setting.
1. Maintain and encourage undeveloped hillsides, river and creek frontages, and forest
setting that complement the natural visual setting of Cloverdale.
2. Maintain the urban forest by expanding the tree canopy within the City.
Recommend preparation of a Tree Preservation Ordinance.
3. Maintain and improve the design of the built environment, including entrances and
approaches to the community and downtown, site planning and development,
highway frontages, and street and sidewalk design.
4. Minimize impacts of urban lighting.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Page 8
5. Conserve or preserve historic buildings and the character of the older parts of town
using conservation and form based zoning ordinances.
Maintain a balance of land uses
6. The General Plan should provide for a balance of land uses for housing, jobs,
economic development, destination commercial sites, and a jobs/ housing balance.
7. Residential land use should have a target population of 12,000 people.
8. Downtown economic development continues to be important in the updated
General Plan.
9. Industrial lands should be reserved for industrial purposes, and not for typical
household retail items.
Geographical Growth.
10. The City should grow to the north or south if needed. There should be no expansion
east of the Russian River, and expansion, if any, into hillside areas should be very
low intensity, with controlled visibility and impacts.
11. The City may consider use of areas outside the urban service boundary and General
Plan study area for recreation sites, even though they would not be considered for
residential, commercial, or industrial use.
12. The City should adopt an Urban Growth Boundary.
Community Recreation
13. Recreation assets should match population growth, including an evaluation of
various groups who would like recreation assets such as youth, sports, walkers,
elderly citizens, and land area and facilities targeted to those groups, including
residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
14. Consider water- based recreation.
2.0 LAND USE
Page 9
2.0
LAND USE ELEMENT
2.0 LAND USE
Page 10
2.0 LAND USE
Page 11
Land Use Table – Proposed 2005 General Plan
Land Use Category
Maximum
Dwelling Units
per Net Acre
Population/
Dwelling
Unit
Floor Area
Ratio
Residential
Rural Residential 1 unit/ 5 net acres 2.6 Note ( 1)
Low Density Residential 4 units/ net acre 2.6 0.35+ Notes ( 1)( 5)
Medium Density Residential 8 units/ net acre 2.6 0.35+ Notes ( 1)( 5)
High Density Residential 16 units/ net acre 2.6 0.35+ Notes ( 1)( 5)
Commercial
Mixed Commercial 20 units per / acre 2.6 0.8 Notes ( 1)( 2)
Downtown Commercial 20 units/ net acre 2.6 3.0 Notes ( 1) ( 2)( 7)
General Commercial 20 units/ net acre 2.6 1.0 Notes ( 1)( 2)( 6)
Service Commercial - - 1.0 Note ( 6)
Highway Frontage
Commercial
20 units/ net acre - 0.8 Notes ( 1)( 2)
Destination Commercial 2 units/ net acre 2.6 1.0 Notes ( 1)( 3)
Industry
General Industry 20 units/ net acre 2.6 .6 Notes ( 1)( 2)
Business Park 20 units/ net acre 2.6 .6 Notes ( 1)( 2)
Other
Public/
Quasi- Public
- - 1.0
Conservation 1 unit/ 160 net
acres
2.6 - Note ( 1)
( 1) Net acres are “ net” after deleting “ environmentally sensitive lands,” defined as lands over 20% slope, lands
in required stream or creek setbacks, woodlands, or lands with federal or state listed endangered species.
( 2) Residential use must be secondary to the commercial use and located either above or behind the commercial
use. The floor area for residential use cannot exceed the floor area of commercial use on the site, except in
the Mixed Commercial designation, which may have any percentage residential. Mixed Commercial that is
100% residential shall follow the R- 2 zoning standards.
( 3) Residential use must be secondary to the commercial use and located above the commercial use. The floor
area for residential use cannot exceed the floor area of commercial use on the site, except that developments
with two stories of residential above a commercial use, the area of each residential story cannot exceed the
floor area of first floor commercial use
( 3) Residential use must be secondary to destination commercial uses on the site. Residential use may not
occupy more than 20% of the net area of the site.
( 4) Residential use must be secondary to the industrial use of the site, located either above or behind the
industrial use. The floor area for residential use cannot exceed the floor area of industrial use on the site.
( 5) For detached single family units, including detached units in planned developments and specific plans, floor
area ratio ( FAR) shall be 0.35 for lots less than 4,000 square feet and 0.40 for lots over 4,000- 8,000 square feet.
FAR may be established in the Zoning Ordinance for lots over 8,000 square feet. “ Environmentally sensitive
lands” as defined in ( 1) above, private roads and shared driveways shall not be used as “ lot area” in
calculating FAR. No more than 25% of lots in any development may be less than 4,000 square feet. No lots
may be less than 3,000 square feet.
In a planned development, a composite FAR may substitute for individual lot FAR. The composite
FAR will consist of the total FAR of all detached dwelling units in the project divided by the sum of ( a) total
“ lot area” of all those units as defined in the previous paragraph plus ( b) public parks, usable open space,
and/ or trails open to the general public without cost, excluding “ environmentally sensitive lands” as
defined in 1 above.
( 6) General Commercial and Service Commercial areas fronting Cloverdale Boulevard to the south of
Healdsburg Avenue and to the north of School Street may be rezoned to any zone conforming to Medium
Density Residential General Plan designation at property owner request.
( 7) Downtown densities may be increased with Planning Commission approval for developments that provide
pedestrian oriented commercial uses.
2.0 LAND USE
Page 12
Exhibit 2- 3. Historic and Projected Growth Rates
Year 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2025
Population 2,848 3,251 3,989 4,924 6,831 8,241 12,000
Housing Units 988 1220 1,656 2,109 2,619 3,192 4,700
Population per household 2.88 2.66 2.41 2.33 2.61 2.58 2.55
Population growth 403 738 935 1,907 1,410 3,749
Dwelling unit growth 232 436 453 510 573 1,508
Average Annual dwelling
unit growth
23 44 45 51 115 75
1960- 2000 are Census data. 2005 is Department of Finance Estimate
2.0 LAND USE
Page 13
Exhibit 2.4. Base of Hill Map ( Illustrative)
2.0 LAND USE
Page 14
2.1 INTRODUCTION
The Land Use Element describes the general distribution and intensity of uses of the
land for housing, business, industry, open space, education, public buildings and
grounds, waste disposal facilities, and other public and private uses. The Land Use Map
and Diagrams includes standards of population density and building intensity for the
City. The Land Use Element plays the central role of correlating all land use issues into
a set of coherent development policies. Its goals, policies, and programs relate directly
to the other elements.
2.2 GOALS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS
Goal LU 1
Provide a balance of land uses within the General Plan Study Area for housing, jobs,
economic development, recreation, and destination commercial uses.
Policy LU 1- 1
Allowable land uses are shown on the General Plan Land Use Map, Exhibit 2.1.
Allowable population density and building intensity are shown in the Land Use
Table, Exhibit 2.2.
Implementation LU 1- 1. a. Initiate Zoning Ordinance and any other Ordinance
amendments necessary to bring the City Ordinances into conformity with
Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Implementation LU 1- 1. b. Initiate Housing Element amendments necessary to
bring the Housing Element and General Plan into conformity.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption.
Resources: LMI Housing Funds
Implementation LU 1- 1. c. Review residential development policies to allow
limited numbers of small lots or cluster housing within conventional single
family areas in order to provide variety and affordable housing.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Implementation LU 1- 1. d. Revise parking requirements for small lot and
cluster housing projects to provide for automobile and recreational vehicle
parking so that parking does not impact city streets.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
2.0 LAND USE
Page 15
Policy LU 1- 2.
Infrastructure and land use policies are based on a maximum anticipated
population for the City of 12,000 residents and 4,700 housing units in 2025.
Implementation LU 1- 2. a. Develop a growth management program to allocate
an average of 75 units per year, but allowing flexibility in application of growth
so that growth does not exceed 375 units in any five year period. The Growth
Management Program shall include a strategy to meet the City’s Housing
Element fair share goals and jobs housing balance policies in Policy LU 1- 3
below.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include in LU
1- 1. a.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Policy LU 1- 3.
Provide a jobs/ housing balance by encouraging new business in the City, by
encouraging housing production for local employees, and by targeting a portion of
City housing funds to provide housing for essential employees who live and work
in the City.
Implementation LU 1- 3. a. Develop a business attraction/ initiation plan to
increase number of jobs available for residents and to encourage local
residents to open businesses in Cloverdale.
Responsibility: Economic Development Commission -- staff
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Community Development Agency funds
Implementation LU 1- 3. b. Revise the Housing Element to provide housing
for local employees.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption.
Resources: LMI Housing Funds
Implementation LU 1- 3. b. Revise the Zoning Ordinance Inclusionary
Housing Program and other Housing Programs to emphasize housing for
local employees and essential local employees, including preferences in
growth management allocations.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include
in LU 1- 1. a.
Resources: LMI Housing Funds
Policy LU 1- 4.
2.0 LAND USE
Page 16
Provide for a balance of commercial and industrial lands on areas reserved for non-residential
uses and insure that there is a buffer between industrial and residential
uses so that industrial uses do not affect residential areas.
Implementation LU 1- 4. a. Provide buffer areas between industrial and
residential uses. Where existing industrial uses exist, residential
development applications shall provide a buffer. Where residential uses
exist, industrial uses shall provide mitigation and buffering. Where the
General Plan has undeveloped land with residential and industrial uses,
both industrial and residential uses shall provide buffering.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing with project review
Resources: General Fund
Implementation LU 1- 4. b. It is the intent of the City to have a substantial
reserve of industrial land to the south of the existing City limits. If the 256
acres to the east of the Freeway ( proposed Alexander Valley Resort project)
is not developed with Destination Commercial uses, the City may consider
or encourage a General Plan amendment to move the General Industrial
designation from the west of the freeway to the Alexander Valley Resort
site and consider alternative uses to the west of the freeway. Alternative
uses to the west shall not include strip commercial development along the
freeway.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Not specified
Resources: General Fund
Implementation LU 1- 4. c. The area south of the Alexander Valley Resort
site and east of the Freeway should be added to the City Sphere of
Influence. The area may be considered for appropriate industrial or similar
uses with a General Plan amendment after preparation of an infrastructure
and land use study.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Not specified
Resources: General Fund or Property Owner contributions.
Policy LU 1- 5.
Utilize land use guidelines within the General Plan Study Area as basis for
comments on projects proposed in the County adjacent to the City, including
the hillsides to the west of the City.
Implementation LU 1- 5. a. Develop a statement of preferred land use
practices in County areas adjoining the City, including and emphasizing
the City policies for hillside development, and send that statement to the
County annually.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
2.0 LAND USE
Page 17
Timeframe: Include in the General Plan year end report.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Implementation LU 1- 5. b. Require design review and develop standards
for open space and design in all small lot, cluster, townhouse, and
apartment projects, so that there is adequate room for children play areas
and resident needs.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include
in LU 1- 1. a.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Implementation LU 1- 5. c. Small lot detached and duet units shall provide
a usable rear yard generally consistent with the private rear yard that could
be expected in a standard single family house.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include
in LU 1- 1. a.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Policy LU 1- 6.
Provide recreation assets to match the population growth and are appropriate to the
various groups who might use recreation facilities.
Implementation LU 1- 6. a. Programs are in the Parks and Recreation
Element.
Implementation LU 1- 5. c. Provide pedestrian accessibility from residences
to parks. Establish short pedestrian routes from residences to parks where
streets do not provide a direct access.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include
in LU 1- 1. a.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Policy LU 1- 7.
The City may consider using land outside the General Plan Study Area for
recreation purposes as a City project or in cooperation with the County.
Implementation LU 1- 7. a. Programs are in the Parks and Recreation
Element.
Goal LU 2
The downtown will be the commercial, cultural, and governmental core of the City.
Policy LU 2- 1
Provide economic development resources to the downtown in order to maintain a
focal point for the community, a strong community image, and an anchor for
economic growth.
2.0 LAND USE
Page 18
Implementation LU 2- 1. a. Maintain an up- to- date downtown plan,
implement downtown plan policies, support pedestrian oriented business,
infill vacant sites, upgrade existing buildings, and encourage mixed use,
shared multi- use parking, attractive buildings, attractive signs and usable
public spaces.
Responsibility: Economic Development Commission
Timeframe: Initiate within one year of General Plan adoption.
Implement over 20 years.
Resources: Community Development Agency Funds
Implementation LU 2- 1. b. Encourage cultural facilities and events in the
downtown.
Responsibility: Economic Development Commission
Timeframe: Implement over 20 years.
Resources: Community Development Agency funds
Policy LU 2- 2
Retain existing residential uses and encourage new residential uses in and near the
downtown in order to preserve a close- in customer and pedestrian base.
Implementation LU 2- 2. a. Use zoning, Community Development Agency
funding, housing funds, and parking incentives to encourage mixed use
development downtown.
Responsibility: Economic Development Commission
Timeframe: Initiate within one year of General Plan adoption.
Implement over 20 years.
Resources: CDA economic development and LMI housing funds
Implementation LU 2- 2. a. Return properties developed with residential
uses but zoned for commercial use to residential zoning, consistent with
Exhibit 2.1. ( Will be implemented by LU 1- 1. a.)
Policy LU 2- 3
Retain essential services, such as the Post Office and City administrative offices
downtown.
Implementation LU 2- 3. a. Coordinate with the Postmaster General on site
locations.
Responsibility: Economic Development Commission
Timeframe: Initiate within one year
Resources: Community Development Agency funds – staff time
Implementation LU 2- 3. b. Encourage retention of essential services in the
downtown plan. ( will be implemented by LU 2- 1. a.)
Policy LU 2- 4
Discourage the creation of retail commercial areas outside the downtown that would
adversely affect the viability of the downtown, including freeway frontages south of the
2.0 LAND USE
Page 19
City, freeway frontages east of Highway 101, and areas around the central Highway 101
interchange.
Implementation LU 2- 3. a. Review any proposals for commercial zoning or retail
use.
Responsibility: Planning Commission
Timeframe: As projects are proposed
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Goal LU 3:
Preserve and enhance Cloverdale’s small- town character and the experience of its
natural boundaries and setting. Cloverdale – a small town on the valley floor with
undeveloped hills to the west, north, and south and the Russian River as an urban
development boundary to the east.
Policy LU 3- 1
Develop an Urban Growth Boundary that allows urban development within the
boundaries and does not allow urban development outside the boundaries. Urban
development should be within the General Plan Study Area and below the “ Base of
Hill” as defined in Exhibit 2.2.
Implementation LU 3- 1. a. Prepare an Urban Growth Boundary to be
passed by the voters.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: At the first election following General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Policy LU 3- 2
Expansion into hillside areas shall be consistent with the Conservation, Design, and
Open Space Element, to eliminate or minimize visual, access or lighting impacts in
hillside areas, particularly in the western hillsides.
Implementation LU 3- 2. a. Amend the Zoning Ordinance to include
provisions of Exhibit 2.2, including the provision for Base of Hill, net
acreage, environmentally sensitive lands.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include
in LU 1- 1. a.
Implementation LU 3- 2. b. Develop a hillside ordinance if the Urban
Growth Boundary allows hillside development.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
2.0 LAND USE
Page 20
Implementation LU 3- 2. c. Coordinate with Sonoma County to assure that
City hillside view policies are communicated and implemented in any
County approvals.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Policy LU 3- 3
Maintain and expand the tree canopy within and outside the developed areas of the
City, and including old growth and newly planted trees. Prepare tree protection
standards that can be implemented with a tree preservation ordinance.
Implementation LU 3- 2. b. Develop a tree- protection ordinance that will
identify heritage trees ( trees over 23 inches diameter and/ or historically
significant) and significant trees and tree species ( trees over 8 inches
diameter).
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Implementation LU 3- 3. b. Tree canopy implementation is in the
Conservation, Design, and Open Space Element.
Policy LU 3- 4
Conserve or preserve historic buildings and the character of the older parts of town
using conservation and form based zoning ordinances, while also allowing change of
use of the properties where allowed by General Plan land use and density standards.
Implementation LU 3- 4. a. Develop zoning standards for the R- 2 District
around the downtown so that new construction or additions respect the
height, design, and configurations of older structures in the area, including
encouragement of secondary units and flexibility in parking standards to
support development which is consistent with existing neighborhood
character.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include
in LU 1- 1. a.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Implementation LU 3- 4. b. Map areas with properties developed before
1939 and develop conservation- based zoning requirements for alteration of
structures built before 1939, as shown on the 1939 Sanborn Maps.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include
in LU 1- 1. a.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
2.0 LAND USE
Page 21
Policy LU 3- 5
Minimize the impacts of urban lighting by providing adequate light for safety but not
creating the glare of an urban area.
Implementation LU 3- 5. a. See Urban Lighting Element
Goal LU 4
Maintain the built environment to support the quality of life and the friendly, rural,
small town atmosphere.
Policies
Policy LU 4- 1.
Maintain and improve the design of the built environment. Improve the appearance of
entries and approaches to the downtown and the community. Maintain attractive
highway frontages, well designed streetscapes and sidewalks.
Implementation LU 4.1. a. Implementation is included in the Design,
Conservation, and Open Space Element.
Policy LU 4- 2
Protect and enhance views from the Highway 101 corridor.
Implementation LU 4.2. a. Implementation is included in the Design,
Conservation, and Open Space Element.
Policy LU 4- 3.
Improve the appearance of fast food chains and other formula businesses within the
General Plan Study Area.
Implementation LU 4- 3. a. Revise the Zoning Ordinance and design
standards to minimize the formula appearance of fast food and other chain
businesses, including a requirement that such businesses in the downtown
will not have exterior formula appearance elements or interior formula
design elements readily visible from the street.
Responsibility: Economic Development Commission
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include
in LU 1- 1. a.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
LU 4- 4
Encourage elimination of blighted and visually undesirable conditions Citywide to
enhance affordable housing, job opportunities, and historical preservation.
Implementation LU 4- 4. a. Reconstitute the Cloverdale Pride Committee to
contact property owners and encourage improving site appearance.
Responsibility: Economic Development Commission
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund – staff time
2.0 LAND USE
Page 22
Implementation LU 4- 4. a. Revise the Zoning Ordinance to allow
abatement of deteriorated buildings or properties.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption. Include
in LU 1- 1. a.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Goal LU 5
Encourage the Cloverdale Unified School District and other educational institutions to
identify and provide sites and facilities for a full spectrum of educational opportunities
within the City.
Policy LU 5- 1
Coordinate site needs analysis with the Cloverdale Unified School District so that sites
can be identified for public school needs.
Implementation LU 5- 1. a. Identify a future high school site with a
minimum of 20 acres, potential for shared facilities, and potential for a
larger site when combined with City recreation facilities.
Responsibility: Community Development Department, Cloverdale
Unified School District
Timeframe: Based on Cloverdale Unified School District needs.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Implementation LU 5- 1. b. Use school facilities within the existing City
limits to provide preschool, elementary, and middle school functions.
Responsibility: Community Development Department, Cloverdale
Unified School District
Timeframe: Based on Cloverdale Unified School District needs.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Implementation LU 5- 1. c. Monitor school needs in south Cloverdale to
determine if an elementary school site will be needed, preferably within
walking distance of housing.
Responsibility: Community Development Department, Cloverdale
Unified School District
Timeframe: Based on Cloverdale Unified School District needs.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Implementation LU 5- 1. d. Encourage the Cloverdale Unified School
District to prepare a demographics study to determine future school needs
within the General Plan time frame. If necessary for implementation,
identify ways to provide future school sites.
Responsibility: Community Development Department, Cloverdale
Unified School District
2.0 LAND USE
Page 23
Timeframe: Within one year of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Cloverdale Unified School District.
Implementation LU 5- 1. e. Encourage educational institutions to open or
establish Cloverdale campuses, including college and junior college
campuses or satellite programs, private educational and trade schools at all
levels, and in- city offices for campuses or programs in County areas near
Cloverdale, including co- located resources meeting a variety of educational
needs at shared locations.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Based on opportunities presented.
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Goal LU 6
New development will be coordinated with the provision of infrastructure and public
services.
Policy LU 6- 1
Ensure adequate water and wastewater capacities or improvements are in place prior to
granting approval for new development.
Implementation LU 6- 1. a. Continue the annual growth management
review which requires infrastructure audits required if development
exceeds a potential threshold of 200 units per year, and phase development
as required in the growth management ordinance if infrastructure is not
available.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Annual Review required
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Implementation LU 6- 1. b. Upgrade the City Wastewater Treatment Plan to
provide tertiary treatment. Provide plumbing in new development so that
tertiary treated water can be distributed for new development, open space,
parks, and other uses.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Sewer feasibility studies within five years. Plumbing
feasibility study within two years.
Resources: Capital Improvement Program, Sewer
reimbursement funds, development requirements,
staff time
Policy LU 6- 2
Provide adequate public facilities and services to meet the needs of the community.
Implementation LU 6- 2. a. ( See implementation LU 6- 1. a.)
Policy LU 6- 3
2.0 LAND USE
Page 24
Discourage development beyond areas with planned expansions of sewer, water, and
road systems. Develop a growth phasing plan that addresses location and timing of
development and infrastructure.
Implementation LU 6- 3. a. ( See implementation LU 6- 1. a.)
Policy LU 6- 4
Require new development and other new impacts on or users of City infrastructure or
services to fund processing costs and necessary infrastructure and services required by
such new development and new infrastructure and service impacts.
Implementation LU 6- 1a. Establish and update as necessary cost recovery,
development and service fees, and other funding mechanisms ( including, but not
limited to, creation and operation of assessment and tax districts) so that new
development, impacts on, or users of City infrastructure or services ( including,
but not limited to outside area service users) shall pay for the cost of all necessary
City application review and processing, and necessary infrastructure and basic
municipal services for such new development, and other new impacts on or users
of City infrastructure or services.
Responsibility: Community Development & Engineering
Departments
Timeframe: Annual Review required
Resources: General Fund – staff time
Goal LU 7
Encourage jobs and housing nexus, providing housing for workers employed in
Cloverdale, in order to reduce commuting, to support local businesses, schools, and
activities by providing a base of residents who both live and work in Cloverdale.
Policy LU 7- 1
Amend the Housing Element to provide programs encouraging housing for local
employees in the development process, including farmworkers, using incentives,
inclusionary housing requirements, and housing funds.
Implementation LU7- 1. a. Revise Housing Element.
Responsibility: Community Development
Timeframe: Within one year
Resources: General Fund
Implementation LU7- 1. b. Develop programs to support local employee
housing, including use of housing funds and agreements with developers.
Responsibility: Community Development
Timeframe: Within one year
Resources: General Fund
2.0 LAND USE
Page 25
Goal LU 8
Maintain the Cloverdale Airport and allow only airport- compatible land uses near the
airport.
Policy 8- 1
Future development and use of the City Airport shall be consistent with the policies
and programs as established in the Cloverdale Municipal Airport Master Plan.
Implementation LU 7- 1. a. Update the Airport Master Plan to provide for
airport expansion and for appropriate rules, safety zones, and potential
easements and conditions on future development.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Airport Master Plan is in preparation
Resources: FAA grants
2.0 LAND USE
Page 26
2.3 General Plan Land Use Categories
RR Rural Residential
This designation is applied to hillside, hilltop, and ridgeline areas, generally defined as
areas that are above the “ Base of Hill” where the valley floor transitions to hillside areas.
The “ Base of Hill” line is where the valley floor transitions to a 20% slope or greater.
Densities are allowed based on “ net” acres after deleting “ environmentally sensitive
lands,” defined as lands over 20% slope, lands in required stream or creek setbacks,
lands with federal or state listed endangered species, or woodlands. A generalized Base
of Hill is shown in Exhibit 2.4. The actual Base of Hill will be determined with each
development proposal.
LDR Low Density Residential
This designation is intended for traditional single family subdivision development,
generally with 6,000 square foot lot sizes. It is applied primarily to areas that have been
subdivided since 1960.
Medium Density Residential
This designation allows for a variety of development types such as single family
attached or detached units, renter/ owner opportunities such as duplexes and triplexes,
or low density rental units.
High Density Residential
This designation allows high density condominiums or apartments and is intended for
areas that have services such as shopping, employment, or transportation, available
within a reasonable walking distance.
Office/ Residential
This designation promotes a combination of professional office and moderate- density
housing along some selected areas of Cloverdale Boulevard. Most of the areas with
Office/ Residential designation are existing residential areas that are expected to remain
as residential or transition to mixed office/ residential or office use. Most are also in
areas identified for a historic conservation approach. The intent of development in
Office/ Residential areas will be to retain the “ residential” appearance, design, and
layout consistent with adjoining properties, and the allow flexibility in parking setback,
and other standards to maintain the residential feel of the area.
Downtown Commercial
This designation creates a center for the City, a focal point that is accessible and provides
neighborhood and pedestrian- oriented commercial uses. The intent of the designation is
to provide a wide variety of uses, consistent with historic downtown uses, and to
encourage residential use above first floor business.
General Commercial
2.0 LAND USE
Page 27
This designation provides for community- serving commercial uses that provide normal
household retail items, with easy accessibility and convenience. It is intended for areas
around the downtown and in the Furber Plaza shopping center.
Highway Commercial
This designation provides for tourist and resident serving uses near the Highway 101
south interchange, with a primary focus on providing uses that depend on easy access to
the freeway.
Service Commercial
This designation is intended for heavier commercial uses, including those that are
automobile or low impact.
Destination Commercial
This designation applies to two areas; one near the south interchange, and one near the
SMART pedestrian rail station. The designation is intended to encourage recreation and
tourist- commercial uses to serve as a distinctive entry into the City.
Transit Oriented Development.
This designation provides high- density residential and destination uses that directly
contribute riders for the SMART passenger rail station. The intent of this designation is
a community where transit serves wholly or partially as a substitute for automobile use.
The designation may also include limited commercial and retail space directly related to
the SMART station, so that convenience needs can be satisfied within walking distance
of the station and residents.
General Industry
This designation provides additional employment opportunities in Cloverdale. It is the
intent of this designation that industrial uses ( light and quasi- heavy) have little
environmental effects as possible. The placement of this designation is located away
from residential uses and sensitive habitats where possible. Primary uses include light-manufacturing,
limited manufacturing, industrial parks, wineries, lumber mills,
assembly, warehousing and distribution. Secondary uses include professional office and
research and development.
Business Park
This designation provides additional service- oriented employment opportunities in
Cloverdale. Primary uses include professional office and research and development.
Secondary uses include limited light industry, industrial parks, wineries, warehouses,
and nurseries.
Public/ Quasi- Public
This designation provides for government- owned facilities, public and private schools,
parks and cultural facilities, and quasi- public uses. Residential, commercial and
industrial uses are discouraged. This designation is applied City- wide to encompass
such facilities as the City sewage and water treatment and distribution facilities,
churches, libraries, schools, special care facilities, and the City airport.
2.0 LAND USE
Page 28
Conservation Features
The purpose of this designation is to manage and preserve valuable biological, visual,
and agricultural resources in the Cloverdale Planning Area. Primary uses include
river/ stream- related recreation, open space buffers, and agricultural production.
Setbacks of 50 feet from tributaries are encouraged, and between 300 feet to 1,000 feet
around the Russian River.
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 29
3.0
CIRCULATION ELEMENT
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 30
Exhibit 3.1 STREET CLASSIFICATIONS
Red = Freeway
Green = Arterial
Orange = Collector
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 31
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The Circulation Element identifies the guiding principles for moving people and goods
within the City and identifies the infrastructure necessary to assure that the
transportation network will serve the City at General Plan buildout.
A majority of trips are made by automobile. The Circulation Element identifies the
roadway system necessary for automobile traffic by setting levels of service, hierarchy of
roads, and areas where road improvements are necessary.
The Circulation Element also identifies alternative travel modes, such as walking,
bicycles, bus transit, and rail transit. The alternative transportation is important to
reduce pressure on roads, conserve energy, and improve the public health through
exercise.
The road system provides many functions in addition to carrying vehicle traffic. It
provides open space separating dwelling units and commercial uses. If properly
landscaped, streetside landscaping provides location for trees to support the urban
forest. If developed with safe pedestrian and bike ways, it serves as a non- motorized
transportation corridor, a linear park, and an attractive network for healthy exercise. If
properly designed, it provides the background for the community urban design and
appearance. Finally, it provides the right of way for most of the City’s public utilities
infrastructure.
The Circulation Element proposes several policies to support these additional important
roadway functions, rather than serving the single purpose of automobile traffic.
The freeway separates the developed areas of Cloverdale from the light rail station. The
freeway also blocks pedestrian and bicycle access to the station. A substantial
commitment to encourage development near the station and other ways to expand light
rail use will be necessary to bring frequent headway ( number of trips) to Cloverdale.
3.2 GOALS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS
Goal CE 1
Develop and Maintain a Balanced vehicular and non- vehicular transportation system to
meet the mobility needs consistent with General Plan land use goals and policies.
Provide a balance of land uses within the General Plan Study Area for housing, jobs,
economic development, recreation, and destination commercial uses.
Policy CE 1- 1
Develop and maintain the Circulation Plan network of freeway/ highways, arterials,
collectors, and local streets. The proposed streets should be designed to serve the
functions they are intended to serve, with adequate capaCity and safety.
Implementation CE 1- 1. a. Design, construct, upgrade, and maintain the
automobile and pedestrian circulation system according to the functions they
are intended to serve, as shown in Exhibit 3- 1 and the trails systems in Exhibit
xx ( Parks and Recreation Element).
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 32
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Capital Improvement Program, project approvals,
development impact fees.
Implementation CE 1- 1. b. Upgrade and maintain the existing circulation
network through the Capital Improvement Program and Development Impact
Fees.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Capital Improvement Program, project approvals, street
improvement fund
Implementation CE 1- 1. c. Coordinate with the County of Sonoma in addressing
regional transportation issues.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Countywide Transportation Development Act Funding.
Congestion Management Plan, SMART Passenger Rail
Authority
Implementation CE 1- 1. d. Provide funding to repair streets that are seriously
deteriorated and sidewalks that are in poor repair.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Capital Improvement Program, project approvals, street
improvement fund
Implementation CE 1- 1. e. Truck routes shall be established to minimize noise
impacts on residential areas. Construction truck routes shall be specified to
minimize noise impacts.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Capital Improvement Program, project approvals, street
improvement fund
Policy CE 1- 2
Plan and reserve in advance of development, the street alignments and building
setbacks necessary to handle anticipated future growth and traffic requirements.
Implementation CE 1- 2. a. Develop and adopt plan lines, if needed, for arterial
and collector streets shown in Exhibit 3.1. Place plan lines in the Zoning
Ordinance, and require setbacks to be measured from adopted plan lines.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 33
Implementation CE 1- 2. b. Require new developments and expansions of existing
development to provide necessary street improvements for the demand they
generate.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Implementation CE 1- 2. c. Develop and maintain an up to date comprehensive
street improvement fee for new development to finance General Plan roadway
improvement necessary to serve the City at General Plan buildout.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Policy CE 1- 3
Design street systems in residential areas to minimize through traffic, to encourage
internal movement by bicycling and walking, to provide safer and quieter
neighborhoods, to minimize vehicular conflicts at intersections and to ensure that the
impact of recreational traffic on local residents is minimized.
Implementation CE 1- 3. a. Do not use back- on treatment at the expense of good
site planning.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Implementation CE 1- 3. b. Identify and provide directional signs to recreational
uses that maximize use of arterial and collector streets and minimize or
eliminate traffic through residential areas.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Goal CE 2
Maintain a satisfactory Level of Service ( LOS) for automobile traffic.
Policy CE 2- 1
Maintain minimum traffic Level of Service ( LOS) C/ D or better for signalized
intersections and Level of Service D for movements at unsignalized intersections.
Exceptions to the LOS standard will be allowed in the downtown and where the City
Council determines that improvements needed to maintain LOS C/ D at specific
locations are not feasible.
Because there are few east/ west collector streets, east/ west traffic is expected to filter
through neighborhoods, rather than be concentrated by design on one or more
collector streets.
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 34
Implementation CE 2- 4. a. Evaluate traffic impacts with major developments
for consistency with LOS standards.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing. Require traffic reports with major
development proposals
Resources: General Fund
Policy CE 2- 2
Create a “ country road” appearance for Cloverdale Boulevard, First Street east of the
freeway, and Asti Road, including narrow pavement where possible, shade trees
adjoining travel lanes, parking only where necessary, and protected bicycle and
pedestrian ways, including trails instead of sidewalks and on- street bike lanes where
possible.
Implementation CE 2- 2. a. Prepare design plans for Cloverdale Boulevard, First
Street east of the freeway, and Asti Road prior to major improvements to those
roads.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Prior to major improvements
Resources: General Fund, street funds, developer contributions.
Goal CE 3
Promote bicycle use and walking as an alternative to automobile traffic and for
community health and enjoyment.
Policy CE 3- 1
Provide an extensive network of pedestrian and bicycle pathways to support
community health and provide safe alternatives to automobile use.
Implementation CE 3- 1. a. Implement programs for bicycle and pedestrian
trails in the Parks and Recreation Element.
Implementation CE 3- 1-. b. Maintain an up- to- date bikeways plan in conjunction
with the Sonoma County Transit Agency Countywide bikeways plan.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Implementation CE 3- 1-. c. Integrate bicycle and pedestrian routes with transit
stops.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Include integration with public works projects and
planning permit approvals.
Policy CE 3- 2
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 35
Provide continuous sidewalks along all streets. Maintain sidewalks in good repair.
Integrate sidewalks and the pedestrian trails network in the Recreation and Open
Space Element.
Implementation CE 3- 2. a. Explore a program to fund sidewalk improvement or
installation where no sidewalks exist, including sharing of costs with property
owners, loans payable at time of sale, etc.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund. Sidewalk improvement funds.
Implementation CE 3- 2. b. Identify major pedestrian routes and, where they
adjoin streets, prepare roadway sections that encourage pedestrian use.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Prior to major street improvements
Resources: General Fund. Repair and install with public works
projects and planning permit approvals.
Implementation CE 3- 2. c. Repair or install sidewalks on all streets in
conjunction with public works and private development projects.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing, with public works projects and planning
permit approvals
Resources: General Fund. Repair and install with public works
projects and planning permit approvals.
Implementation CE 3- 2. c. Where possible, use traditional sidewalk design with
a planter strip between the curb and sidewalk,
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing, with public works projects and planning
permit approvals
Resources: Development approvals.
Policy CE 3- 3
Provide trees or other shade sources along major pedestrian routes. Where street
widening would remove substantial shade trees, investigate alternative roadway
configurations that would preserve the shade trees.
Implementation CE 3- 2. a. Explore a program to fund sidewalk improvement or
installation where no sidewalks exist, including sharing of costs with property
owners, loans payable at time of sale, etc.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund. Sidewalk improvement funds.
Goal CE 4
Promote transit service and use to serve Cloverdale land use goals.
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 36
Policy CE 4- 1
Participate in efforts to establish passenger rail service on the SMART right of way.
Implementation CE 4- 1. a. Encourage passage of rail bonds and develop
appropriate land uses that will support rail ridership.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: At City initiation or by potential developers prior to
development in the Transit Oriented Development area.
Resources: General Fund, transit planning funds, or developer
preparation.
Implementation CE 4- 1. a. Develop designs for Citrus Fair Drive and Asti Road
( south interchange to First Street) to serve as attractive access routes to the light
rail station. Elements include traffic calming, shaded pedestrian walkways,
protected bicycle lanes, and small convenience commercial near the station.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: At City initiation or by potential developers prior to
development in the Transit Oriented Development area.
Resources: General Fund, transit planning funds, or developer
preparation.
Policy CE 4- 2
Develop a Transit Based Specific Plan around the Cloverdale passenger rail station
in order to provide a source of transit riders and destination uses to attract transit
riders to Cloverdale attractions.
Implementation CE 4- 2. a. Require a Transit Oriented Specific Plan prior to
development of major properties around the Cloverdale passenger rail station.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: At City initiation or by potential developers prior to
development in the Transit Oriented Development area.
Resources: General Fund, transit planning funds, or developer
preparation.
Policy CE 4- 3
Support bus service locally, countywide, and beyond county borders.
Implementation CE 4- 3. a. Maintain and encourage use of the Cloverdale City
bus by maintaining schedules that serve the community and by use of distinctive
vehicles to bring visibility to the service.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Maintain schedules on an ongoing basis. Consider
distinctive vehicle design when acquiring new buses.
Resources: County transit funding.
Policy CE 4- 4
Encourage ridesharing to reduce commute trips.
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 37
Implementation CE 4- 4. a. Coordinate with regional ridesharing plans.
Responsibility: Community Development and Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing.
Resources: General Fund.
3.3 HIGHWAY PLAN CONCEPTS
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS
Category Function Types of Standards
Freeway Carry interurban, regional and interstate
traffic
Number of travel lanes, controlled access,
divided by median or barriers, grade-separated
interchanges.
Arterial Carry large traffic volumes over long
distances
Number of travel lanes, spacing
signalization, parking restrictions, right- of-way
width, roadway width
Collector Carry local area traffic to the arterial system Number of travel lanes, signalization, right-of-
way width, roadway width
Local Road Provide access to property; carry local
traffic
Number of travel lanes, right- of- way width
HIGHWAY PLAN CONCEPTS
LEVEL OF SERVICE ( LOS
Level Traffic Condition
LOS " A" • Free flow conditions
• Low volumes
• High operating speed
• Uninterrupted flow
• No restriction on maneuverability
• Drivers maintain desired speeds
• Little or no delays
LOS " B" • Stable flow condition
• Operating speeds beginning to be restricted
LOS " C" • Stable flow but speed and maneuverability restricted by higher traffic volumes
• Satisfactory operating speed for urban conditions
• Delays at signals
LOS " D" • Approaching unstable flow
• Low speeds
• Major delays at signals
• Little freedom to maneuver
LOS " E" • Lower operating speeds
• Volume at or near capaCity
• Unstable flow
• Major delays and stoppages
3.0 CIRCULATION
Page 38
LOS " F" • Forced flow conditions
• Low speeds
• Volumes below capaCity, may be zero
• Stoppages for long periods because of downstream congestion
4.0 NOISE
Page 39
4.0
NOISE ELEMENT
4.0 NOISE
Page 40
Exhibit 4.1 LAND USE AND NOISE COMPATIBILITY STANDARDS
4.0 NOISE
Page 41
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Noise Element is to identify and reduce noise impacts on the
community. The main tool in implementing noise goals is the acceptable noise levels
chart ( Exhibit 4- 1) which shows acceptable noise levels for various uses. Traffic is one of
the main sources of noise in a community, and the typical mitigation for traffic is
construction of sound walls. Sound walls in Cloverdale have been constructed with
berms and attractive materials; however, the walls have often blocked views of
Cloverdale’s distinctive hillside setting. Future consideration of noise impacts should
evaluate both visual goals and exterior noise reduction. Where visual goals would be
compromised, higher exterior noise levels may be acceptable, but buildings should use
noise reduction assemblies to meet the interior noise standards of Exhibit 4- 1.
The Noise Element recognizes that the Uniform Building Code requires new
construction to assure maximum noise levels within a residential building and provides
information that would assist in meeting the Uniform Building Code noise standards.
4.2 GOALS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS
Goal NE 1
Maintain a quiet community by reducing existing noise problems and assuring that noise
is not intrusive to people inside and outside of buildings.
Policy NE 1- 1 Acceptable interior noise levels within Cloverdale shall be as shown
in Exhibit 4.1. All new developments shall be constructed to meet the interior noise
levels shown in Exhibit 4.1.
Implementation NE1- 1. a. Require all new developments to meet interior noise
levels shown in Exhibit 4.1.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing for all development applications
Resources: Application processing and building permits
Implementation NE1- 1. b. All new developments near undeveloped properties
which are expected to generate high noise levels in the future ( parks, schools
play yards, streets, freeways, etc.) shall be constructed to meet interior noise
levels shown in Exhibit 4.1, based on anticipated noise levels from adjoining
uses.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing for all development applications
Resources: Application Fees
Implementation NE1- 1. f. Require noise studies or noise mitigation for projects
in areas where noise contours in Exhibit 4.2 exceed allowable limits in Exhibit
4- 1.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
4.0 NOISE
Page 42
Policy NE 1- 2 Acceptable exterior noise levels are shown in Exhibit 4- 1 and shall be
met wherever possible consistent with community appearance goals. Noise-attenuating
structures such as sound walls will be evaluated in the context of
community appearance goals. Interior noise levels will still be required to meet
Policy NE1- 1 even if a lower standard is allowed for exterior noise levels based on
this policy.
Implementation NE1- 2. a. Evaluate noise attenuating structures such as sound
walls in the context of community appearance goals.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing for all development applications
Resources: Application Fees
Policy NE 1- 3. Where physical noise barriers are constructed to minimize
noise, landscaped berms or a combination of landscaped berms and walls
should be used, and visible landscape elements and trees should be installed
on both sides of the berm and/ or wall to provide foreground and
background screening.
Implementation NE1- 2. a. Evaluate appearance of noise barriers in
development review.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing for all development applications
Resources: Application Fees
Policy NE 1- 4 Noise from stationary sources such as music, machinery and
pumps, air conditioners, shall be contained on the generating site and shall
meet the standards of Exhibit 4.1 at the property line.
Implementation NE1- 4. a. Place noise standards in the General Plan or
Municipal Code.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Policy NE 1- 5 Mitigate construction noise in project review, environmental review
process, and construction inspection process
Implementation NE1- 1. d. Review projects using standards in Exhibit 4.1, place
appropriate conditions of approval, and follow conditions in the construction
inspection process.
Responsibility: Community Development and Building Inspection
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Application and development fees
Policy NE 1- 5 Mitigate potential transportation noise, including high traffic
streets and truck routes, through proper design of street circulation,
coordination of routing, and other traffic control measures.
4.0 NOISE
Page 43
Implementation NE1- 5. a. Review street proposals with a goal of providing
noise mitigation, 1iIn addition to traffic considerations.
Responsibility: Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund and application fees
Implementation NE1- 5. b. Establish truck and construction haul routes to
minimize impacts on noise impacts.
Responsibility: Engineering Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund and application fees
5.0 PARKS AND RECREATION
Page 44
5.0
PARKS AND RECREATION ELEMENT
5.0 PARKS AND RECREATION
Page 45
Exhibit 5.1 Parks and Recreation Opportunities
Dark Green = existing parks
Light Green = added parksites proposed in the 1993 General Plan
Red = existing trails and trails under active discussion
Yellow = schools, quasi- public, and private meeting halls
Aqua = hillside open space existing & potential
Olive = Proposed Alexander Valley Resort golf course
5.0 PARKS AND RECREATION
Page 46
5.0 PARKS AND RECREATION
Page 47
5.1 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Park and Recreation Element is to identify existing park and
recreational facilities, determine park and recreational needs, and provide the
framework for future park and recreational decisions within the City of
Cloverdale.
The Parks and Recreation Element uses a broad interpretation of recreation
activities, including children’s play, organized sports, water activities, walking,
camping, arts, theater, museums, etc. The Element also uses a broad
interpretation of park and recreation facilities as being the places where these
broad range of recreation activities take place. Given the resource limits of the
City and other agencies that provide recreation activities and/ or space, the
Element emphasizes full use of existing facilities, whether owned by the City,
School District, other government agencies, nonprofit groups, or private
ownership, and the potential for shared use agreements, in order to maximize
the services that each facility provides for Cloverdale residents.
The Element also identifies park and recreation opportunities in close proximity
to the City, which can be used by residents. Regional open space and recreation
facilities like Yorty Creek and Warm Springs Dam provide opportunities that
could not be duplicated within or by the City.
5.2 GOALS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS
Goal PR 1
Maintain, expand, or support potential Parks and Recreation Facilities to serve
Cloverdale residents and visitors as shown in Exhibits 5- 1 and 5.2.
Policy PR1- 1 Establish an ad hoc parks and recreation committee to review
existing and proposed park facilities and uses, including programs to
cooperatively use nonprofit and private parks and recreation facilities for
general use, with the charge to: inventory facilities available to the
community, pursue shared use agreements to increase community
accessibility and decrease overall costs to the community of providing
facilities, and use existing facilities where possible prior to building new
facilities.
Implementation PR1- 1. a. Establish and staff the committee as described.
Responsibility: City Council to appoint and Community Development
Department to staff.
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Policy PR1- 2 Provide five acres of City- owned park and recreation land per
1,000 residents to fulfill needs not filled by non- City facilities or for
populations not served by non- City facilities, as follows:
5.0 PARKS AND RECREATION
Page 48
Neighborhood Parks: 0.6 acres/ 1,000 residents
Community Parks: 2.6 acres/ 1,000 residents
Open Space Recreation: 1.5 acres/ 1,000 residents
Community Center and Administrative: 0.3 acres/ 1,000 residents
.
Implementation PR1- 2. a. Provide parklands as determined by the ad hoc
committee.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Parkland dedication fees and land dedications
Policy PR1- 3 Investigate potential acquisition of parklands through purchase,
dedication, or transfer from other agencies as follows: investigate purchase
or parkland dedication for part or all of the Angeli Vineyard site as an
addition to City Park; investigate purchase of a new community park site in
the south industrial area; pursue acquisition of the CALTRANS land to the
east of Tarman Park; investigate acquisition of the land south of the SMART
station for a Landmark Visitor Park.
Implementation PR1- 3. a. Investigate acquisition as determined by the ad hoc
committee.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Parkland dedication funds and land dedications
Policy PR1- 4. Provide hillside open areas and trails on sites and trails shown
in Exhibit 5.1 in planning permit approvals ( see also Land Use Element and
Open Space Element)
Implementation PR1- 4. a. Where planning permits are issued for properties
with hillside areas and land below the Base of Hill, provide development
opportunities below the Base of Hill and provide for open space and trails on
hillside areas above Base of Hill.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Application processing.
Policy PR1- 5. Pursue pedestrian trails, bicycle trails, and combined
pedestrian/ bicycle trails with a goal of providing linked and “ looped” trail
systems in planning permit approvals ( see also Land Use Element and Open
Space Element) on sites and trails shown in Exhibit 5- 1.
Implementation PR1- 5. a. Where planning permits are issued for properties
with hillside areas and land below the Base of Hill, provide development
opportunities below the Base of Hill and provide for open space and trails on
hillside areas above Base of Hill. Where appropriate, require or accept
5.0 PARKS AND RECREATION
Page 49
parklands, open space, and trails, including private maintenance and
funding.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Application processing.
Implementation PR1- 5. b. Investigate City purchase of property or
easements to fill gaps in the trails system.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Parkland dedication fees.
Policy PR1- 6. Provide assistance to the Cloverdale Citrus Fair to improve the
existing facility for community use if they desire to stay and for relocation if
they desire to move to another location.
Implementation PR1- 6. a. Coordinate with the Citrus Fair and provide
assistance to the Citrus Fair using resources available to the City, such as
Redevelopment Funding and land use flexibility .
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Redevelopment funding and planning policies.
Policy PR1- 7. Participate with Sonoma County, Cloverdale Unified School
District, other government nonprofit agencies, and private property owners,
or other project sponsors if opportunities become available to establish
recreational facilities or uses that promote the shared goals of the City .
Implementation PR1- 7. a. Encourage coordination with the Sonoma
County Parks Department and Open Space District for provision of
Regional Parks and Regional Open Space that benefits Cloverdale
residents.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund.
Implementation PR1- 7. b. Encourage use of City resources to coordinate
with other agencies, if the coordination achieves a City parks or
recreation goal and uses City resources more effectively than stand alone
parks or recreation programs.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund, City staff resources.
5.0 PARKS AND RECREATION
Page 50
5.3 Existing Parkland Acreage
Park type and acres per 1,000
population
Existing City Parks Total
acres
Needed for 12,000
population
Additional acreage
needed by 2025
Neighborhood Park.
0.6 acres/ 1,000 population
Tarman Park 0.5 ac
Vintage Meadows 3.5 ac.
Brookside Mini Park0.2
ac.
4.2 7.2 acres 3.0 acres
Community park
2.6 acres/ 1,000 population
City Park 7.4 ac.
Furber Park 6.0 ac.
13.4 31.2 acres 17.8 acres
Open Space Recreation
1.5 acres/ 1,000 population
River Park 68.5 ac.
( includes County land)
68.5 18 acres 0 acres
Community Center/ Administrative
0.3 acres/ 1,000
Downtown Plaza 0.4 ac
Senior Center 0.4 ac.
0.8 3.6 acres 2.8 acres
Total 5 acres per 1,000
population
86.9 60 acres
5.3 Definitions
Parkland types.
Neighborhood Park: High priority is placed on servicing the preschool age
children and families. Facilities should include children's play equipment,
seating and shade for adults and children, and open space. Low priority is placed
on field sports or large- scale court games.
Community Park: High priority is placed on Children/ Adult Field Sports and
field play areas, children's play equipment and court games. Lower priority is
placed on open space recreation and large scale court games. Community
Centers are acceptable as a compatible use.
Community Center: An indoor recreation facility to include volleyball,
basketball, game rooms, etc. If the area is available, can be included as part of a
Community Park. Such a center would be devoted to community activities
and/ or functions. A high priority for this facility is adequate circulation and on-site
parking.
Open Space – Active: An area for low intensity uses such as picnicking, bicycling
and bicycle routes, camping, hiking, water sports. This parkland designation is
oriented toward maintaining and utilizing the natural terrain or resources as part
of the amenities. Low priority is placed on active recreation uses.
Specialty Park: Special purpose park that meets a particular goal, such as the
downtown plaza which serves as a focal point for downtown economic
development and a proposed landmark visitor park that will provide an
appropriate structure to identify either an entrance or focal point for traffic on
Highway 101.
5.0 PARKS AND RECREATION
Page 51
Regional Park: Provides an expanded range of recreational facilities that the City
itself can not provide for such as boating, swimming, golf, tennis, hiking, fishing,
camping and equestrian trails. The impetus for such a facility is on regional
attraction. Facilities may be publicly or privately developed on public lands,
private lands, or a combination of public and private lands.
Types of parkland uses
Children's Play Equipment Play equipment such as climbers, swings, paddle
pools, slides, playhouses, and play sculpture oriented toward the tot to preschool
age children. One play facility is recommended for each 1,000 square feet of
primary space included in a sand or other resilient surface. For safety, play
equipment should not be located within 40 feet of any wide street frontage.
Children/ Adult Field Sports and Field Play Areas Improved land for sports
requiring a defined field configuration, such as softball, baseball, soccer, field
hockey, etc.
Court Games Paved or hard surface area for active recreation ( mostly adult)
use. Court Games may include tennis, basketball, soccer, volleyball, bocce ball,
shuffleboard, handball, paddle tennis, etc.
Indoor Recreation ( Gyms). Large structures such as gymnasiums, designed for
basketball, volleyball, handball, badminton, swimming etc.
Community Center. Indoor recreation facilities used for passive activities such
as meetings, games, cooking/ eating, art galleries, performing and visual arts,
community classes, etc.
Open Space Recreation. Areas with natural amenities that encourage low
intensity uses oriented to those amenities, such as picnicking, water sports,
bicycling and bicycle routes, hiking trails, camping, nature trails, etc., but not
organized court games or field sports commonly found in Community Parks.
Open Space, Passive or Visual. Areas with natural amenities, including hillsides,
forests, creeks, agricultural areas, that provide an open space setting for the
community that is typically guaranteed by conditions of approval in planning
permits or by the Sonoma County Regional Parks or Open Space District. ( See
also policies in the Land Use Element and Open Space Element).
Pedestrian Trails: Trails systems that provide for pedestrians in scenic,
creekside, or other natural areas, and connections as needed to create an
interconnected system of trails. Pedestrian trails may also serve for bicycle or
equestrian use, but those are not required components of the pedestrian trail
system.
Swimming Pool. Swimming pool for community use.
Theater. A building with a stage, lighting, seating, or other improvement that
can be used for plays, performances, or lectures.
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 52
6.0
CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN
SPACE ELEMENT
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 53
6.1 INTRODUCTION
The Conservation, Design, and Open Space Element is concerned with the conservation
of natural resources, provision of open space and the urban design of the community.
The three subjects, conservation, open space, and design are combined because the
natural resources and open space provide the framework for the built areas of the City,
and the overall appearance of the City integrates natural and man made elements.
The primary vision of the element is to maintain and encourage development that
complements the natural visual setting of Cloverdale – a small town on the valley floor
with hills to the west, north, and south and the Russian River to the east, separated from
the other urbanized areas of the County by natural features and agricultural areas.
Conservation goals include development, and utilization of natural resources such as
water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, fisheries, wildlife,
minerals, and cultural resources. Open space goals include hillsides, creek and river
setback areas, biologically sensitive habitat, and natural forests. Design goals address
design of the downtown, community scenic highway entries, interchanges, non-residential
buffering, hillside development compatibility, signage, landscape/ hardscape
standards and public spaces as a means to creating a healthy, beautiful, functional, and
prosperous City. One major finding made in the Downtown Specific Plan was that
Cloverdale's Beautification Plan of the downtown is necessary in order to draw the
desired economic activity into the area.
This Element strengthens certain portions of the 1993 General Plan, particularly
provisions related to hillside development. It also includes a new direction for urban
forest management, returning to a policy of requiring street trees along sidewalks and
when streets are widened, installed, or improved.
6.2 GOALS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS
Goal CDO 1
Rely on natural features ( agricultural lands, hillsides, and the Russian River to
provide shape and form to the City of Cloverdale.
Policy CDO 1- 1 Urban development in the City will be on the valley floor,
defined generally as the land below the Base of Hill. Development will be
framed by and contained within agricultural lands to the north and south,
the Russian River to the east, and below the Base of Hill ( defined as the
location where the valley floor transitions to a 20% slope or greater using 5
foot slope contours or less) on hillside areas).
Implementation CDO1- 1. a. Use Policy CDO- 1 as basis for project review in the
City.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 54
Implementation CDO1- 1. b. Adopt an Urban Growth Boundary ( see Land Use
Element).
Policy CDO 1- 2 “ Conservation Features” areas to the north and south of the City
should be reserved for agricultural use unless a Specific Plan is prepared and the
General Plan is amended for other uses. “ Conservation Features” areas in hillsides
to the west of the City shall be reserved for protection of forested hillsides.
Implementation CDO1- 2. a. Require specific plans as described in Policy CDO
1- 2.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 1- 3 Land use designations for areas outside the Sphere of Influence are
intended as guidelines for County review of projects.
Implementation CDO1- 3. a. Communicate adopted policies to the County and
review County development projects based on City General Plan policies.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 1- 4 Hillside Conservation Areas may be annexed if the annexation
provides permanent hillside open space, or recreation opportunities for the City.
Implementation CDO1- 4. a. Use Policy CDO- 4 as guidelines for annexation
review.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 1- 5 Encourage the County to retain surrounding lands in very low
density residential, agricultural, open space, and natural resource uses that provide
contrast to urbanized Cloverdale. Promote the creation of a community separator
or open space buffer between Cloverdale and any urban development around the
City.
Implementation CDO1- 5. a. Use Policy CDO- 4 as guidelines for annexation
review.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Goal CDO 2
Maintain hillside areas above the Base of Hill as an open space frame around the City
and for hillside areas within the City.
Policy CDO 2- 1 Adopt a hillside ordinance or a hillside provisions within the
Zoning Ordinance to implement hillside development provisions.
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 55
Implementation CDO2- 1. a. Prior to adoption of a hillside ordinance and
hillside road standards, any development above the Base of Hill as defined
shall require a City Council review and instruction to staff to proceed with
application review prior to processing the development application.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 2- 2 Where a parcel has land both below and above the Base of Hill,
development rights to the hillside areas shall be transferred to the area below Base
of Hill, and hillside areas will remain as visual open space with easements or other
legal guarantees that include the City as a participant. Any hillside areas shall
provide for trails as outlined in the Parks and Recreation Element.
Implementation CDO2- 2. a. Use Policies CDO 2- 2, 3, and 4 as basis for hillside
review.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 2- 3 Where a property within the City as of the date this General Plan is
adopted does not have lands below the Base of Hill, residential development above
the Base of Hill may be allowed if:
• The development conforms to General Plan densities
• The residential use, including grading for roadways and lighting, will not
be visible from the valley floor within the City because it is positively
screened by topographic features.
• The residential use provides guarantees that the hillside areas will remain
as visual open space with easements or other legal guarantees that include
the City as a participant.
• The open space areas provide for trails as outlined in the Parks and
Recreation Element.
Implementation CDO2- 3. a. Use Policies CDO 2- 2, 3, and 4 as basis for hillside
review.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 2- 4 Annexation of lands above the Base of Hill is discouraged; except
for lands described in Policy CDO 2- 2 or lands that will provide open space use.
Recreation uses above the Base of Hill may be allowed if lighting is not visible from
the valley floor within the City and the access roads, trail systems, and supporting
structures or facilities are generally not visible from the valley floor within the City.
Implementation CDO2- 4. a. Use Policies CDO 2- 2, 3, and 4 as basis for hillside
review.
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 56
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 2- 5 Any roads serving hillside development shall follow natural
contours, with minimum disruption to hills or forests, minimum or no curbside
parking, and lighting that is not visible from the valley floor.
Implementation CDO2- 2. a. Adopt road standards conforming to Policy CDO-
2- 5 and use Policy CDO- 2- 5 as basis for hillside review.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
Goal CDO 3
Maintain and improve the design of the built environment. Improve the appearance of
entries and approaches to the downtown and the community. Provide design
guidelines for new development and growth.
Policy CDO 3- 1 Enhance major entrances to Cloverdale in order to provide
definitive gateways to the City, including views seen from the freeway at the north
and south of the City and the central interchange. Enhance entrance points along
Cloverdale Boulevard to the north and south and at the central
interchange/ entrance to downtown.
Implementation CDO3- 1. a. Develop downtown and City entrance design
standards.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 2 Use traditional downtown design elements in the downtown.
Design within the pedestrian- serving portion of the downtown should have
pedestrian oriented retail space on the first floor ( buildings built to the sidewalk,
display windows, recessed doors, and pedestrian oriented signs), with development
above the first floor designed for retail, office, or residential use. Any residential
use shall have the appearance of a commercial building facing the street, not that of
a residential use.
Implementation CDO3- 2. a. Update the Downtown Plan to reflect the urban
design goals.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 3 Parking in the downtown core should emphasize shared parking,
should not be located between a building and the street, and should not have
individual driveways aCDOss sidewalks in areas designed for high levels of
pedestrian use.
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 57
Implementation CDO3- 3. a. Utilize downtown shared parking standards
contained in the Zoning Ordinance.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 4 Preserve the traditional appearance of existing houses along
Cloverdale Boulevard north of the downtown by allowing flexibility of use as an
economic incentive to preserve and flexibility in parking standards so that the
parking requirements do not require demolition or improper alteration. Existing
houses should be used as a design model for new construction.
Implementation CDO3- 4. a. Develop Zoning Ordinance conservation and
design standards for Cloverdale Boulevard north of downtown and older
residential areas around the downtown, in order to preserve older houses and
their settings
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 5 Preserve the traditional appearance of the residential areas around
the downtown by identifying structures built prior to 1939, allowing flexibility in
planning standards as an incentive to retaining these buildings in their traditional
appearance, and requiring design review for new construction in the area to assure
that the traditional appearance of older Cloverdale is retained.
Implementation CDO3- 5. a. Develop Zoning Ordinance conservation and
design standards for Cloverdale Boulevard north of downtown and older
residential areas around the downtown, in order to preserve older houses and
their settings
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 6 Design of detached single family housing, including small lot single
family developments should have the look and feel based on representative
development in the past, including mix of single and multi- story units, typical
single family private yard spaces. Medium and higher density housing should be
attached and provide common parking and open spaces if they cannot meet the
traditional single family models of development.
Implementation CDO3- 6. a. Amend the Zoning Ordinance to include standards
of CDO3- 7.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 7 Remove or upgrade the appearance of structures that were built
when Cloverdale Boulevard was a state highway, and are no longer appropriate for
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 58
the City’s main arterial street, including small gas stations, auto repair facilities, and
motor court type uses.
Implementation CDO3- 7. a. Land Use Element allows rezoning to residential
use as conforming to the General Plan. Encourage rezoning where appropriate.
Amend the Zoning Ordinance to include property maintenance ordinance.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 8 Develop a design plan for the area around the passenger rail station
so that the station is incorporated into a mixed use community, rather than an
isolated facility that is reached only by car. Consider downtown- type design
configurations for the properties immediately opposite the station, with features
like narrower roads to slow traffic, parking and buildings modeled after the
downtown, and high density residential above commercial uses that could serve a
transit community and commuter rail passengers.
Implementation CDO3- 8. a. Develop Transit Oriented Development design
plan before or concurrent with the Transit Oriented Development Specific Plan.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 9 Develop a design plan for the industrial and commercial areas
visible from the freeway. Freeway visible uses should de- emphasize freeway-oriented
signage and designs with parking as a main visual element from the
freeway. Standards should encourage significant landscape areas, including tree
screening, between the freeway and the uses.
Implementation CDO3- 9. a. Develop and adopt design standards for areas
visible from the freeway.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 10 Emphasize street trees and landscaping along Asti Road,
Cloverdale Boulevard, and Foothill Boulevard.
Implementation CDO3- 10. a. See Circulation Element Policies.
Policy CDO 3- 11 Eliminate sign blight.
Implementation CDO3- 11. a. Update the Zoning Ordinance to provide for sign
amortization.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 12 Fast Food uses with drive in windows are allowed within the
South Interchange area and shall not have drive in windows outside the South
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 59
Interchange area. Fast food uses within the Downtown Business District shall not
have franchise or typical fast food design elements visible from the street, including
façade designs, signage, and interior design elements.
Implementation CDO3- 12. a. Update the Zoning Ordinance fast food design
standards, including location, design, and definitions.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: Economic Development funds
Policy CDO 3- 13 Eliminate overhead utility lines.
Implementation CDO3- 13. a. Require undergrounding with development
proposals. Develop City priorities for undergrounding funds.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Development review and undergrounding funds.
Goal CDO 4
Investigate historic and archaeological resources and preserve or conserve resources that
help residents and visitors understand the history of Cloverdale.
Policy CDO 4- 1 Conserve or preserve historic buildings and the character of the
older parts of town using conservation zoning and form based zoning ordinances,
while also allowing change of use of the properties where allowed by General Plan
land use and density standards.
Implementation CDO4- 1. a. Develop conservation based zoning requirements
for alterations of structures built before 1939, as shown on the 1939 Sanborn
Maps.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Implementation CDO4- 1. b. Develop zoning design standards for the R- 2
District around the downtown so that new construction or additions respect the
height, design, and configuration of older structures in the area.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Implementation CDO4- 1. b. Use the State Historic Building Code at the
Building's Official's discretion on any structure identified in the National
Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historic Resources, or local
designation.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: General Fund
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 60
Policy CDO 4- 2 Attempt to preserve remaining prehistoric camps, villages, and use
sites. Identify areas that may be used by the Pomo Indians for resource
procurement or religious purposes.
Implementation CDO4- 2. a. Prior to ground disturbance, the City may require
potential developers to investigate the presence of archaeological artifacts. This
shall include agricultural conversion.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Development Review requirements.
Implementation CDO4- 2. b. Coordinate with the Native American Heritage
Commission and local tribal members to determine if the study area or
developments contain any artifacts or areas used for religious purposes.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Development Review requirements.
Policy CDO 4- 3 Identify historically significant structures or groups of structures
that help residents and visitors understand what Cloverdale was like historically.
Identify historic materials such as structural remains.
Implementation CDO4- 3. a. Assist property owners in their restoration efforts.
This includes providing information on preservation resources and assisting in
the placement of structures on the National Register of Historic Places, and
seeking public and private funding for preservation.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Implementation CDO4- 3. b. Survey to identify locally important historic
resources and historic patterns of settlement. Develop an implementation
program to preserve identified resources.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Goal CDO 5
Provide public, open space, and habitat uses along the Russian River.
Policy CDO 5- 1 Consider dedicating a portion of the lands adjacent to the Russian
River to restore native grassland habitat for raptors.
Implementation CDO5- 1. a. Developments along the Russian River shall
include an analysis of habitat, preservation or restoration of habitat.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Development Review Requirements
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 61
Implementation CDO5- 1. b. Provide continuous trails along the river ( see Parks
and Recreation Element).
Implementation CDO4- 1. b. Where designated in the Land Use Element,
provide destination commercial or public recreation uses along the River.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Resources: Development Review Requirements
Goal CDO 6
Develop an urban forest plan to preserve existing trees on hillsides and the valley floor.
Enhance the tree canopy with new planting.
Policy CDO 6- 1 Maintain and expand the tree canopy within and outside the
developed areas of the City, and including old growth and newly planted trees.
Prepare tree protection standards that can be implemented with or without a tree
preservation ordinance.
Implementation CDO6- 1. a. Develop an urban forest plan with a management
strategy for maintaining existing and newly planted trees, including best
practice provisions for installation, maintenance, and succession planning.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 6- 2 Protect distinctive natural vegetation such as oak woodlands,
riparian corridors and mixed evergreen forests by maintaining the natural features
as a whole. Preservation of individual trees or features rather than the larger
habitat does not satisfy this policy.
See Implementation CDO6- 1. a.
Policy CDO 6- 3 Encourage retention of large or otherwise significant trees both in
residential, non- residential, and open space areas by:
• Encouraging or revising development plans to retain trees.
• Revising development plans that would remove significant trees so that those
trees are saved.
• Minimizing development impact on trees with standards to minimize damage
during construction and provisions to assure that building foundations,
utilities, walkways, irrigation, or use patterns will not damage root structures,
trunks or CDOwns.
See Implementation CDO6- 1. a.
Policy CDO 6- 4 New private and public development, including public street,
sidewalk, utility, and park construction, shall provide mix of trees with a CDOwn
that can provide shade and summer cooling and trees with height to create a
silhouette against the skyline.
See Implementation CDO6- 1. a.
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 62
Implementation CDO6- 4. b. Development proposals shall show the percent
of tree CDOwn coverage at fifteen years after installation.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Development proposals shall show the percent of tree CDOwn coverage at
fifteen years after installation.
Policy CDO 6- 5 New public and private development shall provide street trees
parallel to streets -- in planter strips, in sidewalks, or at back of sidewalks, spaced at
regular intervals along the street. Tree intervals shall provide a canopy with leaves
touching at maturity. Tree locations shall be identified prior to design of utilities,
drainage, hydrants, electrical equipment boxes, vaults, etc., and those features
should be subservient to tree locations.
Implementation CDO6- 5. a. Prepare and adopt a tree and landscape material
list for public and private projects, including height and spread at maturity and
suitable locations for various trees and landscape materials.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 6- 6 Prepare a street tree plan, including a program for new trees to be
installed with development and a plan for retrofit in areas where development or
streets were installed without trees.
See Implementation CDO6- 5. a.
Policy CDO 6- 7 Encourage the use of native trees, shrubs, and ground covers for
use in public and private landscaping development approvals.
See Implementation CDO6- 1. a.
Goal CDO 7
Conserve natural vegetation and wildlife resources.
Policy CDO 7- 1 Conserve and protect the area's natural vegetation by:
• Ensuring that drainage and runoff from City sources is not impairing
the water quality of the Russian River.
• Retaining existing riparian vegetation within the conservation buffers
along all natural watercourses to preserve riparian vegetation and
habitat.
• Restoring degraded riparian habitats where feasible.
• Discouraging agricultural activities within the conservation buffers
along all natural watercourses.
• avoiding the contamination of groundwater supplies.
Implementation CDO7- 1. a. Amend the Zoning Ordinance to provide 100 foot
buffers ( 50 feet on each side) from creeks and rivers shown on the Conservation
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 63
Element Map. Where the Russian River buffer is wider than 50 feet on the map,
provide the wider buffers.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Implementation CDO7- 1. b. Cooperate with nonprofit, County, State, and/ or
Federal agencies in preparing a Russian River riparian corridor restoration and
management plan.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Implementation CDO7- 1. c. Encourage programs such as plaques or painted
notices that storm drains flow to the river and programs to identify ways to
protect wildlife and vegetation resources.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Policy CDO 7- 2 Conserve and protect the area's natural wildlife by:
• Encouraging the restoration of fisheries through habitat improvement
and resource management.
• Establishing long- term conservation zones, including possible use of
incentives and credits to create easements and open space.
• Encouraging the use of native and drought- tolerant plant species in
landscaping and in the replanting of cut slopes.
• Developing classroom and on- site education programs to promote
preservation of wildlife and vegetation resources.
Implementation CDO7- 2. a. Coordinate wildlife conservation activities with
Sonoma County conservation agencies and nonprofit conservation groups.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Goal CDO 8
Conserve energy and minimize resource depletion by encouraging alternative energy,
solar power, and green building techniques.
Policy CDO 8- 1 Use energy and resource efficient methods in daily City operation.
Implementation CDO8- 1. a. Where feasible, use energy efficient transportation,
locally- generated solar and alternative power sources, and green building
methods for City buildings.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
6.0 CONSERVATION, DESIGN, AND OPEN SPACE
Page 64
Timeframe: Solar power source studies within one year. Other
implementation measures as opportunities present.
Resources: General Fund and Community Development Agency.
Policy CDO 8- 2 Use. Support, and encourage energy and resource efficient methods
in private construction.
Implementation CDO8- 2. a. Study and develop ordinances and incentives to
encourage energy efficient transportation, locally- generated solar and
alternative power sources, and green building methods for private buildings
and projects. Building Department should provide reviews and inspect using
green building standards if requested by any applicant.
Responsibility: Community Development Department, Building
Department
Timeframe: Ongoing. Support green building and energy efficient
processes in the City review and inspection functions.
Resources: General Fund and Community Development Agency.
Implementation CDO8- 2. b. Study and develop ordinances and incentives to
encourage water conservation.
Responsibility: Community Development Department, Building
Department
Timeframe: Ongoing. Support water conservation by ordinance, in
development review, and in City inspection functions.
Resources: General Fund and Community Development Agency.
7.0 URBAN LIGHTING
Page 65
7.0
URBAN LIGHTING ELEMENT
7.0 URBAN LIGHTING
Page 66
7.1 INTRODUCTION
Cloverdale is a small town in a rural setting, where night time lighting levels are
currently low enough to allow residents, visitors, and surrounding residents to enjoy
night time views of the natural setting and the sky. Many businesses and residents have
installed high intensity light sources as a way to protect properties at night and, for
businesses, as a form of advertising that the business is there. The combination of
occasional bright lighting and other areas without corresponding bright lights creates a
security issue because bright lights obscure any threats in the less well lit area. A
consistent but lower level of lighting allows safety personnel to see all areas, rather than
just the very bright areas. Sonoma County has adopted night time lighting standards for
areas around Cloverdale to minimize unnecessary light and all night lighting. The
Urban Lighting Element encourages a level of lighting appropriate for a small town in a
rural setting.
7.2 GOALS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS
Goal UL 1
Maintain night time lighting levels that provide security and safety but also preserve
and maintain views of night time skies.
Policy UL 1- 1 Require that all new development projects and public improvements
maintain night time lighting levels at the minimum necessary to provide security
and safety, using fixtures which shield the light source so that light is directed
downward, with height and power limited to the minimum necessary to provide
adequate lighting.
Implementation UL1- 1. a. Prepare a community lighting ordinance to provide
standards for lighting on streets, business and residential properties, public
properties, and signage.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Implementation UL1- 1. b. Revise the Zoning Ordinance and Engineering
Standards to include standards for lighting based on Dark Skies principles.
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Implementation UL1- 1. c. Develop an ordinance to amortize high- intensity
lighting, high intensity sign illumination, and unshielded lighting
Responsibility: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within two years of General Plan adoption.
Resources: General Fund
Policy UL 1- 2 Minimize light spillage that carries off the property where lights are
located.
7.0 URBAN LIGHTING
Page 67
Implementation UL1- 1. a, b, and c.
Policy UL 1- 3 Reduce the light glare from businesses at the south interchange. Do
not allow similar high intensity lighting sources at the other two interchanges
Implementation UL1- 1. a, b, and c.
Policy UL 1- 4 Eliminate excess lighting from illuminated signs.
Implementation UL1- 1. a, b, and c.
Policy UL 1- 5 Revise street lighting with shielding or fixtures designed to produce
down light, rather than light spread
Implementation UL1- 1. b.
Policy UL 1- 6 Phase out existing high intensity lighting and signs with an
amortization program.
Implementation UL1- 1. a, b, and c.
8.0 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFTEY
Page 68
8.0
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
ELEMENT
8.0 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFTEY
Page 69
8.1 INTRODUCTION
The Public Health and Safety Element addresses the protection of the community from
any unreasonable risks associated with the effects of seismically induced surface
rupture, ground shaking, ground failure, and dam failure; slope instability leading to
mudslides and landslides; subsidence and other geologic hazards in an area; flooding;
and wildland and urban fires. The Public Health and Safety Element shall include
mapping of known seismic and other geologic hazards, and fire severity ( CDF Fire
Severity Zones)
INCORPORATION OF COUNTY SEISMIC SAFETY ELEMENT
The City of Cloverdale's General Plan incorporates by reference the Public Safety
Element of the County of Sonoma. The Public Safety Element was adopted by the Board
of Supervisors on March 23, 1989. The City will adopt appropriate policies and
programs that pertain to the General Plan Study Area. Provided below are County of
Sonoma goals and policies as well as goals and policies that are City- proposed for the
General Plan. The provisions of the Safety Element will remain in effect as adopted even
if the County Safety Element is revised.
8.2 GOALS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS
Goal PS 1
Prevent unnecessary exposure of people and property to risks of damage or injury from
earthquakes, landslides and other geologic hazards.
Policy PS 1- 1
Continue to utilize all available data on geologic hazards and related risks from the
appropriate agencies.
Policy PS 1- 2
Continue to utilize studies of geologic hazards prepared during the development
review process.
Policy PS 1- 3
Encourage research on geologic hazards, their probabilities and their effects within
Sonoma County.
Policy PS 1- 4
Require and review geologic reports prior to decisions on any project which would
subject property or persons to significant risks from the geologic hazards shown on
Figures PS- 1a through PS- 1i and related file maps and source documents. Geologic
reports shall describe the hazards and include mitigation measures to reduce risks to
acceptable levels. Where appropriate, require an engineer's or geologist's
certification that risks have been mitigated to an acceptable level and, if indicated,
obtain indemnification or insurance from the engineer, geologist, or developer to
minimize County exposure to liability.
Policy PS 1- 5
8.0 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFTEY
Page 70
Adopt, upon approval by the International Congress of Building Officials and the
State of California, revisions to the Uniform Building Code which increase
resistance of structures to groundshaking and other geologic hazards.
Policy PS 1- 6
Require dynamic analysis of structural response to earthquake forces prior to City
approval of building permits for structures whose irregularity or other factors prevent
reasonable load determination and distribution by static analysis.
Policy PS 1- 7
Encourage strong enforcement of state seismic safety requirements for design and
construction of dams, powerplants, hospitals and schools.
Policy PS 1- 8
Roads, public facilities and other Public Agency projects should incorporate
measures to mitigate identified geologic hazards to acceptable levels.
Goal PS 2
Prevent unnecessary exposure of people and property to risks of damage or injury from
flooding.
Policy PS 2- 1
Coordinate flood hazard analysis and management activities with the Army Corps
of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA) and other
responsible agencies. Request changes in FEMA maps where appropriate to reflect
new data or analyses.
Policy PS 2- 2
Base land use planning and development review on FEMA maps and data or parcel
specific scaled interpretations of these maps and site specific elevation data.
Policy PS 2- 3
Prepare a comprehensive analysis of the potential flood hazards and drainage
impacts associated with adopted land use plans for each major watershed in the
City. Encourage the County to work with Cloverdale to develop basin wide
drainage studies and development fees for the purpose of identifying and
mitigating the direct and cumulative impact of flooding which results from the loss
of permeable surfaces. The City shall use proposed annexations, redevelopment
agreements, revenue sharing agreements and the CEQA process as tools to ensure
that incorporated development pays its fair share toward the studies and mitigation
of downstream flooding impacts caused by upstream development.
Policy PS 2- 4
Pending completion of the above applicable drainage analyses, individual project
applications shall be required to analyze and mitigate drainage impacts, based upon
the land use plan, as determined by the Water Agency. If such analysis identified
unmitigated and cumulative significant effects, including impact on downstream
flooding, further environmental documentation may be required.
8.0 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFTEY
Page 71
Policy PS 2- 5
If the event that the Water Agency determines that the project, when considered
cumulatively with other projects to be undertaken in the drainage basin, will result
in a significant effect with respect to downstream flooding, the project applicant will
either a) prepare a supplemental environmental impact report on such effect, or b)
agree to modify the project to construct improvements or participate in a funding
mechanism necessary to mitigate any downstream flooding impacts ( such as
posting a bond on funds prior to recordation of the final map in an amount to be
determined by the Water Agency). Failure to modify the project or to propose
further environmental documentation shall be grounds for finding the project
inconsistent with the plan.
Policy PS 2- 6
Use the 100- year flood event and corresponding elevations as the City measure of
acceptable level of risk and protection in the consideration of any amendments of
the land use plan map.
Policy PS 2- 7
Onsite and offsite flood related hazards shall be reviewed for all projects located
within areas subject to known flood hazards.
Policy PS 2- 8
Regulate development, water diversion, vegetation removal, grading and fills to
minimize any increase in flooding and related damage