By Nate Seltenrich, Jennifer Sawhney

A THOROUGHFARE AND A RESPITE – Petaluma residents Gabe Kleinman and Lizzie Wallack have revitalized a long-running discussion around redesigning Putnam Plaza downtown. Each of the past two Saturdays, they invited Petalumans and passersby to weigh in on what they do like, don’t like, and would love to someday see in the central plaza. Hundreds of people participated … “There was an overwhelming appetite that it needs to change,” Kleinman said. “It was designed a long time ago, and there is no easy way to navigate through the space.” How to improve it, however, remains up for debate – a process that Kleinman and Wallack intend to continue to lead in the coming weeks and months, and that Petaluma Voice will continue to follow … For now, Kleinman said, the leafy trees are popular, the non-functional fountain less so. Participants said they want to be able to move through the space more easily, as well as to relax, eat, and enjoy live jazz and other performances. “In its best version, this would be a thoroughfare and a respite,” Kleinman said, while stressing that he has no agenda whatsoever about the final design: “I just want to see something beautiful and characteristically Petaluma.” Stay tuned for more developments. – Nate Seltenrich

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ZONING WOES? SPEAK UP! – It’s no secret that people frequently complain about red tape to get a new business or development going in Petaluma. Meanwhile, the people behind The Vacancy Project are looking for anecdotal information from residents about their experience trying to get past development or business obstacles. They plan to share that info with the city to hopefully enact change ... In case you need a reminder, members of The Vacancy Project shared an interactive map a few months ago showing long-empty lots, buildings, and other spaces around downtown, with hopes to encourage occupancy that would ultimately garner more business activity and, hopefully, tax revenue for the city ... Do you have anything to share? Email your responses to the following questions to thevacancyproject@urbanchat.org, or select “Contact Us” at thevacancyproject.org: 1) Have you had trouble getting a proposed business to fit into an existing zoning category? Frustration over interpreting what is and isn’t allowed? 2) Any bad experiences getting a conditional use permit? Did a deal fall through because it required one? 3) Any trouble getting clear, timely, or consistent information from city officials for a new business or development? Did they create major obstacles? 4) Have you spent significant time or money navigating the city’s permitting/planning process? – Jennifer Sawhney

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TRIAL ENDS – A piece of the Youngstown Mobile Home Park drama is winding its way through the courts. After the park owners challenged the city’s 2023 “senior overlay” ordinance restricting certain mobile home parks to seniors only, both parties had their last day in Sonoma County Superior Court on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Owners in 2024 said the city’s senior overlay rules discriminate against families of all ages, as well as other allegations. The city contends that the seniors-only designation is allowed by law and fully compliant with federal rules to allow for senior housing. The final decision over whether the city’s senior overlay is allowed is pending, according to the Sonoma County Superior Court website. – JS 

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BUSES, BREWS, & BELONGINGS – And we thought summertime was busy in Petaluma. This month, as the leaves begin to fall and the air begins to cool, there’s still lots to do. September is California Transit Month, and Cool Petaluma is celebrating with a unique Read and Ride event on Friday, Sept. 4. Ride the Route 11 bus to Grand Central Café with special guest Maria Arce, Petaluma Transit’s division manager, to learn about what’s happening with our local bus system and hear her reflections on September’s Cool Book Club selection, “Confessions of a Recovering Engineer.” For more details and to RSVP, visit coolpetaluma.org/events … On Saturday, Sept. 12, it’s the 12th annual Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival, jointly produced by Petaluma’s two Rotary Clubs, Petaluma Valley and Petaluma Sunrise. The event is a fundraiser for a variety of nonprofit programs benefiting Petaluma schoolchildren, isolated seniors, people experiencing homelessness, the Petaluma River, and more. Details and tickets are at petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org … And don’t miss the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum’s powerful new exhibit, “Belongings: What We Bring, What We Leave Behind,” running Sept. 3 through Oct. 4. We’ll have a full article with photos of local contributors in next week’s issue. – NS

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NEWTS, TOO – The Chileno Valley Newt Brigade is gearing up for this season’s mass migration from upland habitat to breeding pond and back. To make sure California newts and threatened red-legged frogs can safely cross Chileno Valley Road outside Petaluma on the rainy nights when they’re most apt to move, brightly attired teams of volunteers have gathered roadside near Laguna Lake every year since 2019 to safely convey the critters. More than 15,200 live animals were recorded crossing in 2023-24 and nearly 4,900 were hit by vehicles. Last year was quieter, but forecasted El Niño conditions may bring a busy migration season this fall, winter, and spring – and that’s why the Newt Brigade is looking for more help. To join the effort, attend a training session on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. Register and find out more at chilenovalleynewtbrigade.org. – NS

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INCLUSIVITY AWARD – Petaluma High School is getting kudos for supporting students with disabilities. The school’s United Physical Education class was acknowledged with a “Spirit of Education” award at the Monday, Aug. 31, Sonoma County Office of Education meeting. The award was handed out by a regional group known as the Special Education Local Plan Area, or SELPA for short, which helps support students with disabilities. – JS

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SCHOOLS EVEN COOLER – Petaluma Junior High School celebrated its courtyard modernization with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 28. The courtyard of the city’s westside junior high now boasts more trees, better seating, and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to the school on Bantam Way. This was funded by Measure AA funding, a local tax passed by voters in 2024 to allow the district to issue $159 million in bonds (costing property owners roughly $30 per $10,000 of a property’s assessed value) earmarked for facility upgrades and safety needs ... In a similar spirit, Petaluma High School will celebrate its new track and field replacement on Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. The upgrades to the field were also funded by Measure AA funding. – JS

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PETALUMA STEPS UP – Some locals were devastated after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Aug. 10, and quickly sprung to action to help their friends and family in the South American country. Locally, that meant putting out a call for donations to be used for rescue efforts: gloves, bandages, reflective vests, and more. The donation drive at Café Puente, which ended on Aug. 31, garnered upwards of 270 items packed tightly into five boxes that are now on their way via Miami. – JS

Jennifer Sawhney is a reporter and co-founder of Petaluma Voice. She can be reached at jsawhney@petalumavoice.org.

Nate Seltenrich is an editor and reporter at Petaluma Voice. He can be reached at nseltenrich@petalumavoice.org.