Sebastopol tomorrow will be just like Santa Rosa today.
22 years ago when I acquired ownership of a shoe shop that has been in business in the same spot on Sebastopol's Main Street since 1969, I could look east and clearly see the hill tops beyond Santa Rosa. Today, during most hot days in the summer, the smog covers those same hill tops in what is certain to become worse with that smog eventually working its way west to hover over Sebastopol.
We are in denial if we think that this is not true given the fact that we have two main highways intersecting in downtown Sebastopol. In fact, the noise and air pollution from the incessant automobile and truck traffic is a health hazard to the humans living in the laguna ecosystem. Humans are the part of the ecosystem that we seem to forget about when we talk about preserving the lagoon.
With that said, there have been many ideas put forth about solving the traffic problem and for 22 years I have only seen the traffic problem get worse, with no concrete action toward solving the problem.
Therefore, I see the Dairyman's Winery proposal as an opportunity to solve in part, the traffic problem that has plagued Sebastopol for as long as anyone can remember. My suggestion is to approve the proposed winery only under the condition that the Highway 116, Llano road to Occidental road bypass plan be approved and fast-tracked thereby eliminating any of the traffic issues raised by the Dairyman's Winery project. With today's engineering advancements, that traffic can safely crossover the lagoon without ecological damage just as it will over the new Highway 12 bridge.
The Highway 116 bypass would then create a traffic and automobile pollution barrier between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol and allow Sebastopol to retake ownership of its Main Street to control traffic and parking as it wills. Sebastopol will then become a destination and all of the proposed projects that I have heard throughout the years will become a reality. In example, day-lighting of the creeks, two-way traffic, diagonal parking, bicycle and pedestrian right of ways, an electric train running down Main Street with a spur to the Smart Train, parklets, an outdoor seasonal amphitheater, etc., etc. But most importantly, a quiet, traffic pollution and smog free downtown in which human and other species who live and/or work in the laguna ecosystem will freely enjoy.
This is just one idea and I am at a loss as to what else might work. Any other ideas please?
Your friend and neighbor as ever: Michael.