Bennett Valley Voice

Bennett Valley

VOICE

Inside This Issue

Bennett Valley 2000 Sonoma Mountains Study Grange Bridge Update Bennett Valley Fire District News Board Elections

Volume 21 Number Three

September, 1998

Bennett Valley 2000

Community Forum

The Bennett Valley Homeowners' Association is sponsoring a community forum which will be held on Saturday, October 17, 1998. This year marks the 20-year milestone of the Bennett Valley Plan which makes it an opportune time for such a forum. The purpose of the Forum is to provide the opportunity for residents to help shape the "future" of the Valley. The intent is to create a process for the community to proactively address issues within the confines of the existing Bennett Valley Plan.

Details will be sent to members during the next month, but mark you calendars, for we look forward to having as much participation as possible from residents. Board of Supervisors Hearing

Sonoma Mountains

Scenic Landscape Unit

By Marilee Jensen "Sonoma Mountains.... clearly defining the eastern edge of the Santa Rosa plain between Petaluma and Sonoma extending from Santa Rosa south to Stage Gulch Road and from Penngrove east to the Sonoma Valley. This area also includes portions of Bennett Valley." Some time ago, the Board of Supervisors directed the Permit and Resource Management Department (PRMD) to conduct a study to determine whether or not additional measures were necessary to protect the scenic quality of the "Sonoma Mountains area. PRMD says they identified some weaknesses in existing policies and standards and identified additional measures which would strengthen the protection of the scenic quality of the Sonoma Mountains. These proposed ordinances as well as the amendments to the General Plan and specific area plans, such as Bennett Valley, are what is being considered at this hearing of the Board of Supervisors on September 22, 1998, at 2:45 pm.

These "additional measures" are proposing to include all of the Bennett Valley area, as part of the Sonoma Mountains, except the area north of Bennett Valley Road. There is opposition to this proposal among Bennett Valley residents because the Bennett Valley Design Review Committee is already successful in the continued on next page

Continued from page one job which they are doing to see that residences in the Bennett Valley area "shall blend with the existing landscape and vegetation..." If this experiment with "local citizen review committees" in other areas around Sonoma Mountains is not successful, the proposed corrections could possibly jeopardize the Bennett Valley Design Review Committee. We need to see that the Bennett Valley area is not included in these new proposed "additional measures", at least initially, until they have been tested and modified as necessary.

Also, these newly proposed ordinances, amendments, and Design Guidelines for Sonoma Mountains only apply to those structures which are visible from the following designated Scenic Corridor roadways: Adobe Road, Petaluma Hill Road, U.S. 101 Highway between the Lakeville Highway and College Avenue interchanges, Bennett Valley Road, Warm Springs Road, Arnold Drive, State Route 12, State Route 116, and Lakeville Highway. The Bennett Valley Guidelines apply to all of the structures which require a use permit in Bennett Valley. The difficulties inherent in trying to decide clearly, ahead of time, whether a structure will be visible from a particular roadway are obvious. And if trees and vegetation are destroyed by natural causes or die at some future time, then what is visible from any particular roadway will change.

Also, views from neighboring properties need to be protected, in terms of the surrounding structures blending with the existing landscape and vegetation, whether or not the structure will be visible from one of the identified roadways. Under these guidelines, a structure could be painted any color and placed in the open, as long as you couldn't see it from one of the major roadways listed above and it was in compliance with other county requirements. Also, when Bennett Valley Design Review is evaluating a site in their area prior to approval, it will be necessary for them to do an additional determination as to whether or not this proposed structure can possibly be seen from one of these identified roadways. That is not a useful determination which should have any impact on what is required for the homes being built in Bennett Valley. Proposed amendment: " In addition to utilizing its adopted guidelines, the Bennett Valley Design Review Committee shall utilize the Local Area Development Guidelines (Sonoma County Code Sec.26-90-042) in evaluating applications for building permits for dwellings and appurtenant structures for non-agricultural uses within the Sonoma Mountains Scenic Landscape Unit." Please come join us at the Board of Supervisors' meeting on September 22, 1998, at 2:45 pm. We need to primarily object to the Bennett Valley Area being included in these proposed "additional measures". If you have any questions, please feel free to call Tammy Boultbee, Chairman, Bennett Valley Design Review ( 584-8063), or Marilee Jensen (576-0405).

Valley History

It was in 1849 that James N. Bennett arrived in this valley with his family and gave his name to the valley and its mountain peak which was called "Yulupa" by the local Indians. "Yulupa" is said to mean "mountain of the burning bird", and refers to an old Indian legend which said an Indian maiden, in constancy to her lover, kept a watch fire on the summit. An image of a flaming bird would emerge from the flames.

The Indians of this area believed that one day the image of the burning bird would return and bring them good fortune.

Election Of The Board Of Directors

The Bha Now Holds Its Elections By Mail. Below Are Statements Prepared By

The Candidates Running For The Board.

RAY LONGMAN: I have had the privilege of serving one term on the Board of Directors for the Bennett Valley Home Owners Association. During the past three years, the Board has been very active in maintaining the rural beauty of Bennett Valley. As part of this effort, we have worked with the school districts, the Army Corps of Engineers, California Delt. of Fish and Ga,me, CA Division of Forestry, Bennett Valley Fire Protection District, Soil Conservation Agency, and our own Design Review Board. Most importantly, we have worked with the home owners and vineyard owners of Bennett Valley and the County Government. With BHA membership at an all time high, I feel that my experience can be useful to the Board and the citizens of the Valley. I would appreciate your vote.

NANCY DELL'ERGO:I have lived in Bennett Valley for the last sixteen years with my husband and two sons. I really love the friendliness and warmth of the people, the serenity, the beauty, and the feeling of country living within close proximity of the city. I have served one term on the Board of Directors. Serving on the Board has been a way of giving back something to this area that has given me so much over the years. I am strongly opposed to further encroachment of our county borders by the city. Trying to retain our rural character with continuing growth is a challenge, and I am willing to continue to work hard to keep this Valley a place we can all call home.

WILLIAM E. SULLIVAN: I have been a resident of Bennett Valley for twenty-six years. Currently, since 1995, I have been serving as President of the Homeowners' Association. I have served as past President of the Bennett Ridge Community Association and the Bennett Ridge Mutual Water Company. CEO (retired) of Merit Ends, Inc.

I am dedicated to the long-term preservation of our unique Bennett Valley environment through non-confrontational means. (No guns, but political strong-arming OK). WRITE-IN-CANDIDATE:

Vote For Three Candidates

There Will Be No Nominations From The Floor.

Please fold and mail your ballot. Do not use staples; please use tape.

Bennett Valley Homeowners' Association

Po Box 2666

Santa Rosa, Ca 95405

Bennett Valley Fire District

REORGANIZATION The Bennett Valley Fire Protection District and the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District are currently working together to provide shared administrative services. These services include: Duty Chief coverage; clerical services; purchasing and logistics; and training and administration of the daytime intern firefighter program. The goal is to provide the highest level of service in the most efficient and cost saving manner possible. While the administrations of both districts are combined, both districts will maintain their own identification and autonomy. Bennett Valley will continue to have its own local Board of Directors, its local volunteers, and its own emergency and fire vehicles.

The overall Fire Chief for this shared administrative services agreement is Kent Reynolds of Gold Ridge. Greg Martin is now a Battalion Chief, responsible for day to day operations of the Bennett Valley Battalion, under the direction of Fire Chief Reynolds. Battalion Chief Dan George, of Hessel station, and Battalion Chief Rich Delucchi of Twin Hills and Freestone stations, will on occasion be at the Bennett Valley station on various assignments.

Wells Wagner Chairman, Board of Directors BENNETT VALLEY FIRE RESCUE

Grange Bridge Update

Sonoma County Public Works is now in the process of designing three possible bridge options for consideration by the Board of Supervisors. Public Works will present these options before the Board in approximately two to three months. In each of the bridge designs, Public Works must come up with a bridge that will meet federal funding standards, provide a temporary bridge that will not cut down unnecessary trees, and of extreme importance, one that will not impede emergency vehicles.

THANK YOU Homeowner membership is at an all time high with almost 400 households joining the BHA. We would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you for your support! Bennett Valley Homeowners' Association Board of Directors Bill Sullivan, President Ray Longman, Vice-president Nancy Dell'Ergo, Treasurer Leanore Mesches, Corresponding Secretary Eve Boling, Recording Secretary Kent Chilcott Roger Creer Jim Katon Marilyn Stocks The Board meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7:30 PM at the Bennett Valley Fire Station. We invite your attendance and participation.

9992208-0°0

Astia Lienne

LIANNIE

Board Of Supervisors' Meeting

September 22, 1998 At 2:45 Pm

At The Administration Building

575 Administration Dr.

The Sonoma Mountains Scenic Landscape Unit

Proposal Will Be Considered.

Please Come Join Us!

(Details on front page of VOICE)