Petaluma and Cotati are the two incorporated areas or cities included in the 2nd District. Only the southern edge of Rohnert Park is included in this jurisdiction. Big Box retail has become a touchy subject with many local business owners who find it difficult to compete with the economics of buying in bulk. Large retail outlets are corporate owned and much of the revenues leave Sonoma County.

Regardless of one’s position, a significant portion of the public wants Big Box retail—it looks like Petalumans will get their Target store, slated to be built on the former site of Kenilworth Junior High at East Washington Street and the 101 Freeway.

Sonoma County Supervisors have no legal jurisdiction in the cities—they are legal “islands” unto themselves. However, it is the responsibility of the 2nd District Supervisor to make sure traffic impacts are mitigated so that impacts in surrounding rural areas are minimized. Based on the estimated additional 14,000 traffic trips per day, activity on McDowell, Ely, and Adobe Roads will be increased as drivers go out of their way to avoid congestion on the 101 corridor.

I remain concerned about Petaluma’s inability to resolve this issue. The development of Big box retail is one example where the County Supervisor must be involved with Petaluma’s projects—it’s where jurisdictions and responsibilities meet.

Signed,

John E. King