The Sonoma County General Plan is being updated as we speak. Permit Sonoma, the agency that administers development in the county is traveling on the road to various communities to conduct workshops that will help focus the needs of different neighborhoods.

On April 30th, Permit Sonoma conducted a workshop at the Grange Hall, and invited neighbors to contribute ideas and concerns about future development in Bennett Valley.

• 27 residents participated + 5 county staff (including Ross Markey)

• Big maps on easels throughout hall and residents were invited to post their notes on 1) “what I like” about my community (green notes) and 2) “challenges” (pink notes), and write comments on large easel pads

• Residents posted multiple notes about wanting exclusion zone from commercial cannabis for BV, remarks attached in photo

• It was a good format - less formal, more interactive, more engagement with guests 

• One resident’s note on “what I like”:  1) low density development and 2) lack of commercial activity in valley-let’s keep it that way”. Several notes about traffic/speeding problems, fire safety concerns.

Permit Sonoma is continuing to seek community input-- all residents are welcome to contribute opinions and concerns to the updating of the General Plan as it pertains to Bennett Valley. Here are some resources--speak out and be heard!

• General Plan Update website 

• Online Survey 

• Online Mapping Tool