Application filed for Barlow Complex remodel

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UPGRADE — The view on McKinley looking east. If the remodel application is approved,
part of the old warehouse would be demolished to make way for a “driveway-type”
 extension of the street. - Sonoma West file photo


Project will need design, Planning Commission review

by George Snyder
Sonoma West Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 1:27 PM PDT
SEBASTOPOL – Northeast area property owner Barney Aldridge has filed an application for a major remodel of the Barlow Complex at the corner of Sebastopol Avenue and Morris Street.

Called “The Barlow,” the project, according to planning department documents, includes the demolition of some 48,247-square-feet of existing building to be replaced with 48,210-square-foot, one story structures. There are 69,674-square-feet on the Barlow site.

The application, filed Sept. 1, has not been completed, said city planning director Kenyon Webster, pending additional information scheduled to be provided to the city by the applicant by Monday.

According to Webster, Aldridge’s application is to allow “flood, fire and building upgrades so that he can actually use the buildings for more than warehousing. Also, hearing that the city would like access to be improved, he would demolish a portion of the buildings to allow a driveway-type extension of McKinley to Morris Street.”


Webster also said major city sewer and water lines will be exposed during the demolition, something favored by the city’s public works and engineering departments.

“Some of the existing buildings were built on top of city underground utilities — something we would not allow today,” Webster said, adding, “the plan would include demolition of the portions of buildings on top of the utilities. Demolished square footage would be replaced in several new structures, but there would be no net change in existing site square footage.”

“Under current zoning,” he added, “the owner could fully upgrade as it sits and create parking and landscape.

“It is our understanding that the applicant’s intent is to be consistent with current zoning in terms of allowed uses, setbacks, parking and building design,” Webster said.

Project manager Kathy Austin, meanwhile, described the building scheduled for demolition as an unreinforced masonry block building that doesn’t meet the current earthquake code.

“It has quite a bit of second floor or mezzanine space in it too,” she added, saying it would be unfair to her client to make him lose the square footage in the building should it be torn down.

Especially, she said, “since he doesn’t need to move anything under current conditions. So we are relocating that square footage in exchange for opening up that area and allowing vehicular and pedestrian circulation from McKinley Street all the way through to Morris. We will be dedicating the right of way to the city for both the east west access and a north south access so that some day they can become public streets.”

Austin said she has done due diligence with the city in terms of its needs in working up the project.

“I personally have attended many city council and planning commission meetings as well as consulted with planning and engineering staff to make sure our design was in accordance with the goals of the city,” she said.

“Many of the meetings were discussing this area and making policy as we were designing, so it was important to follow closely what the planning commission and city council wanted to have there.”

Austin said while attending the recent Sebastopol Economic Summit at the Community Center and said she was “gratified to hear all of the suggestions were right in line with what we hope to accomplish.”

“We want to highlight local agriculture, food and wine and the Arts, keeping the area industrial with small amounts of related retail,” she said, adding that discussions have been held with farmers market officials in hopes of bringing a year-round Sunday market to the project, as well as possible credit union, something, she said, residents have told her they would like to see.

In addition to the proposed farmers market, the complex is projected to include a restaurant and pub, art galleries and other attractions. What is now an expansive, gravel parking lot will be landscaped with trees and other amenities.

“It is important for folks to understand that we are not increasing any square footage on the site,” Austin said, “just re-arranging it. We are not using fill or putting our buildings up on stilts. We will be flood proofing the buildings so they can stay at grade and remain pedestrian friendly. We will be transforming that sea of gravel and asphalt into a tree shaded, organized, storm water filtering oasis. Morris Street will be bathed in shade from a double row of trees and lined with a bio swale to cleanse storm water. Between the aesthetic, environmental and economic improvements, this site will add tremendously to the city without increasing the burden on the city.”

Webster said the Barlow application will require Design Review Board and city planning commission review before it appears before the city council.