Estero Americano Coast Preserve Town Hall

Agenda

1. Opening remarks from Supervisor Lynda Hopkins
2. The Wildlands Conservancy: The Estero Americano Coast Preserve & addressing parking / visitor concerns
3. Stevan Hunter, Senior Engineer, Sonoma County Public Infrastructure: proposed no parking zones
4. The Bodega Harbour Homeowners Association: Proposed parking solutions
   1. A Community in Alignment Website

Meeting Recap

1) Opening remarks — Supervisor Lynda Hopkins

Supervisor Hopkins set the tone by acknowledging neighbors’ frustrations from the recent spike in visitation following significant media coverage of the new preserve and emphasizing an iterative, solutions‑focused process rather than dwelling on past missteps. She committed to ongoing check‑ins and facilitation across agencies (Wildlands Conservancy, Coastal Commission/Conservancy, Regional Parks, Public Infrastructure, Sheriff/CHP, Sonoma County Fire District, and the HOA). She highlighted emergency access concerns and noted a letter from Sonoma County Fire District urging the Coastal Commission to treat the situation as urgent. Hopkins reported an informal indication from Coastal Commission leadership that the County’s short‑term measures could qualify for an urgency permit, and underscored that red curb/striping is a short‑term step that will be evaluated and adapted over time.

2) The Wildlands Conservancy — Context, data, constraints & near‑term posture

Remarks by Luke Farmer (Regional Director)

Farmer reaffirmed Wildlands’ dual mission: protect the landscape and open it to the public daily, free of charge. He explained they are bound by a conservation easement, a recreation covenant with the County, and a Coastal Development Permit (CDP), so changes must be data‑driven and consistent with those documents. He thanked partners and conveyed confidence in finding solutions that keep public safety and emergency access front‑and‑center while honoring coastal access.

Remarks by Ryan Berger (Sonoma Coast Preserve Manager)

Berger reviewed proactive steps taken pre‑opening: convening a multi‑agency working group (including HOA) and rolling out a phased access approach—guided events first, then Fri–Sun (8am–5pm), then seven days a week (as required under the CDP). He noted Wildlands intentionally avoided a grand opening/media push; nevertheless, an unsolicited San Francisco Chronicle piece and follow‑on coverage caused an immediate visitor spike (e.g., ~400 visitors on Jan 11, ~1,200 on MLK weekend Sunday) and Wildlands added staff on site to manage parking and safety. Since then, data show weekend peaks with a steady decline, tracking weather/rainfall patterns. Berger reiterated the need for short‑, mid‑, and long‑term solutions through the working group and stressed Wildlands’ obligations under the easement/covenant/CDP when evaluating any changes.

3) Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) — Proposed no‑parking zones

Remarks by Stevan Hunter (Senior Engineer) with Rob Houweling (roads)

SPI prepared a poster‑board map showing red‑curb no‑parking segments proposed for Board of Supervisors consideration on March 10 (Hunter characterized adoption as likely). The configuration would prohibit parking on the “house side” for better sight distance, leaving parallel parking on the opposite side where there are fewer driveways. SPI is also assisting with the emergency Coastal Commission application to expedite implementation. SPI and staff stayed after the meeting to speak with residents.

Hopkins’ clarification on process & timing

Hopkins emphasized the two‑step process: Board action in early March and Coastal Commission urgency permit (which can be turned around rapidly), followed by a formal CDP for the long‑term installation. She reiterated the iterative approach—if the initial striping doesn’t work, it can be adjusted through the CDP.

4) Bodega Harbour Homeowners Association — Proposed long‑term parking solutions

Presentation by Tracy Amiral (President)

Representing 725 homeowners, Amaral introduced a “Community in Alignment” website/QR handout documenting stakeholder perspectives and a set of seven conceptual long‑term parking solutions (mix of road‑driven, hiking‑access, and shuttle concepts). The HOA asked the County to formally evaluate all reasonable long‑term options with Wildlands and partners and committed to active participation, data‑driven analysis, local knowledge, and transparent communication to achieve a designated parking solution at/near the preserve that intentionally routes visitors rather than dispersing them throughout residential streets.

Additional context from Supervisor Hopkins

Hopkins noted historical precedent (e.g., Pinnacle Gulch lacked a lot, then built one after a surge) and expressed County commitment to explore long‑term off‑street parking with Wildlands and HOA. She also floated a coastal shuttle concept (drawing on the Russian River Shuttle model) to combine access management with visitor education (restrooms, trash, stewardship messages).

5) Public comment highlights — key themes raised by residents

• Community car‑count dataset: Catherine Dixon described daily counts (10am/1pm/4pm) from Osprey at Mockingbird down toward Oyster Catcher, with weather/peak tracking; she plans graphs and noted alignment with Wildlands’ visitor trend data. Copies of the spreadsheet are available.
• Speeding, crossings & signage: Miriam Green urged attention to speeding on Heron, pedestrian visibility near the hill, and potential speed signs/speed humps/crosswalks or clearer right‑of‑way signage to reduce collision risk.
• Appreciation & planning asks: John Laughlin praised the HOA’s actionable roadmap and called for a rigorous, independent visitor carrying‑capacity assessment and modest expansion of the working group to include community “free agents”, plus transparent meetings and reporting.
• STR parking impacts: Ann Witts cautioned that red curbs could reduce parking required under vacation‑rental permits, raising practical issues for guests and compliance.
• Road geometry & interim options: Richard Behrens (scientist/engineer) measured local road widths (e.g., 28 ft typical; Heron ≈ 39 ft) and, applying emergency clearance needs (~20 ft), suggested no parking on 28‑ft roads and proposed interim designated parking on Heron until a permanent lot exists off Highway 1 serving the preserve.
• On‑site lot & temporary closure: Ralph Schoolcraft advocated for a parking lot on the Estero with restrooms/trash and argued for re‑closing the preserve until access and facilities match coastal park standards. (Later, Hopkins clarified re‑closure is not possible under the permitting framework.)
• Environmental carrying capacity: Tanja stressed an independent carrying‑capacity evaluation for the fragile watershed with sensitive species, warning that unlimited access is not sustainable and urging near‑term reductions in numbers to protect wildlife.
• Comprehensive approach & emergency evacuation: Lisa Beaty asked for a plan/timeline addressing environmental protections, restrooms/trash, and evacuation dynamics (residents exiting as emergency services enter), noting the County’s Open Space funding role and Wildlands’ earlier references to Pinnacle Gulch lot and Doran Beach as parking possibilities.
• Enforcement: Patricia Normand emphasized that signs/curbs need enforcement (temporary and permanent), or solutions lack teeth; she asked whether enforcement was considered in the urgency permit and how it would work once long‑term solutions are in place.
• Access skepticism & table seats: Tom Patropoulos voiced concern about cherry‑picked data and argued the logical solution is no non‑resident access/parking, asking how community voices (e.g., “John”) get seats at the table beyond brief podium comments.
• Working group facilitation & transparency: Jeff Burke (helped compile the stakeholder site) observed good‑faith efforts but asked who is orchestrating continuity/communication/transparency (“the person in the ball cap in charge”) so everyone can see progress “for us, against us.”

6) Responses & clarifications from officials

• Traffic calming & process channel: Hopkins supported exploring crosswalks/speed humps and suggested routing comments through the working group for efficiency, with SPI engineers reviewing feasible measures (line of sight, design constraints). She will share her notes with the working group and consider a policy revisit to enable broader use of speed humps county‑wide.
• Working group scope & notes: Wildlands confirmed the group is ongoing and open to co‑leading/rotating hosts; notes are taken and can be shared/uploaded for transparency.
• Short‑, mid‑, long‑term track: Hopkins distinguished near‑term (parking ordinance + urgency permit), mid‑term (shuttle and other measures), and long‑term (off‑street parking) tracks running in parallel. She reiterated that off‑street solutions are complex (easements, Coastal Act, local coastal plan, biotic constraints), which is why Misty Arias (GM, Ag & Open Space) was present to ensure early alignment with conservation easement terms.
• Ag & Open Space perspective: Arias explained the public sales‑tax investment and their role to protect resources and public intent, reviewing proposals through that lens while recognizing expectations for public access—a balance that places Wildlands in a challenging position.
• STR parking policy: Hopkins noted STRs have car caps under County rules and suggested checking with Permit Sonoma for specifics by address; she acknowledged practical burdens (e.g., luggage handling if curb space shifts).
• Enforcement commitment: Jeremy J. Tam (Resident Deputy, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office) stated he can and will enforce parking in Bodega Bay during his shift (not a full‑shift dedication; CHP typically handles parking), committing to prioritize enforcement locally. This is unusual and welcome support, applauded by attendees.
• Clarification on access routes: Hopkins reiterated that Estero Lane is not a public road; public access there is not feasible and has been litigated multiple times. She appreciated that HOA proposals did not rely on Estero Lane access.

7) Practical next steps & timeline markers (from the meeting)

• Board of Supervisors (No‑Parking Ordinance): SPI’s proposal is slated for March 10 consideration; if adopted, red‑curb no‑parking would be installed on the house side of Osprey and adjoining segments as shown on SPI’s map, subject to the Coastal Commission urgency permit.
• Urgency Permit → Formal CDP: County will seek the urgency permit to enable rapid installation, then proceed to a formal CDP for long‑term durability; configuration can be adapted based on observed outcomes.
• Working group evolution: Wildlands/County/HOA indicated openness to including additional resident voices and sharing meeting notes/FAQs online; Supervisor Hopkins will funnel meeting comments to the group and explore site tours with engineers to vet traffic‑calming and Heron Road
• Shuttle feasibility: County/Regional Parks will pursue funding and program design for a coastal shuttle pilot, modeled on the Russian River approach that couples transport with visitor education (restrooms/trash/stewardship).

8) Key tensions acknowledged

• Emergency access vs. residential quality of life: Wide agreement that two‑sided street parking is unsafe and that a 20‑ft emergency clearance must be preserved, with interim solutions (e.g., Heron Road) weighed carefully.
• Public coastal access vs. environmental capacity: Multiple commenters pressed for a carrying‑capacity study before sizing any long‑term lot; Wildlands and Ag & Open Space affirmed resource protection obligations alongside access expectations.
• Near‑term enforcement and signage vs. long‑term infrastructure: Residents asked for immediate, visible enforcement and clear wayfinding while the County and partners pursue off‑street parking and programmatic solutions.