Sonoma West TImes and News Article- " Is “For Sale” a sign of the times for Sebastopol?"

[jerichsalud]

In this article, Is “For Sale” a sign of the times for Sebastopol? (https://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/news/is-for-sale-a-sign-of-the-times-for-sebastopol/article_bbe12520-0f16-11e7-8f38-6b8453c735d8.html), the reporter writes, "It may be hard to pinpoint what finally brought Sebastopol to the precipice of change."

and this

"What’s behind the business boom will surely light up the chatter at dinner tables and on boards such as nextdoor.com (https://nextdoor.com/) and waccobb.net (https://waccobb.net/): “It indicates the general influx of foodies replacing the hippies (According to realtor David Rendino of RE/MAX Marketplacew).”

This oversimplified explanation does not do this real and important issue justice and this reporter is either unaware or avoiding calling out the real issue, which I'd call the "gentrification" of Sebastopol.

"Gentrification is often defined as the transformation of neighborhoods from low value to high value. This change has the potential to cause displacement of long-time residents and businesses."
(https://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/news/is-for-sale-a-sign-of-the-times-for-sebastopol/article_bbe12520-0f16-11e7-8f38-6b8453c735d8.html)
Here is a map of "Gentrification in the Bay Area"
(https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2015/08/27/uc-berkeley-bay-area-gentrification-displacement-map/)
Gentrification is a very real and important issue because of the significant impacts to communities and community members. CDC information "Health Effects of Gentrification" (https://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/healthtopics/gentrification.htm).

There are very real policy decisions and priorities that can either propel or inhibit gentrification. This article does not do this issue justice and I hope that as a community we can be aware of this issue and proactive about acting in accord with our values.

[rossmen]

I think the article is pretty good for the old snooze. How long has rose been writing? Lots of details, a provocative slant, where do you want to go? Money is powerful and is moving in. Mcds, spanglers, starbucks is an interesting story, locals trying to cash in on law and business changes. Having an existing drive threw is gold! Barlow, cvs, the highrise fancy hotel all bring change to a gridlocked crossroads. How much can we do to guide the process of change? What are your recommendations for rent and zoning laws? Don't shoot the messenger cause they raise questions without answering them...


In this article, Is “For Sale” a sign of the times for Sebastopol? (https://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/news/is-for-sale-a-sign-of-the-times-for-sebastopol/article_bbe12520-0f16-11e7-8f38-6b8453c735d8.html), the reporter writes, "It may be hard to pinpoint what finally brought Sebastopol to the precipice of change."

and this

"hat’s behind the business boom will surely light up the chatter at dinner tables and on boards such as nextdoor.com (https://nextdoor.com/) and waccobb.net (https://waccobb.net/): “It indicates the general influx of foodies replacing the hippies (According to realtor David Rendino of RE/MAX Marketplacew).”

This oversimplified explanation does not do this real and important issue justice and this reporter is either unaware or avoiding calling out the real issue, which I'd call the "gentrification" of Sebastopol.

"Gentrification is often defined as the transformation of neighborhoods from low value to high value. This change has the potential to cause displacement of long-time residents and businesses."
(https://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/news/is-for-sale-a-sign-of-the-times-for-sebastopol/article_bbe12520-0f16-11e7-8f38-6b8453c735d8.html)
Here is a map of "Gentrification in the Bay Area"
(https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2015/08/27/uc-berkeley-bay-area-gentrification-displacement-map/)
Gentrification is a very real and important issue because of the significant impacts to communities and community members. CDC information "Health Effects of Gentrification" (https://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/healthtopics/gentrification.htm).

There are very real policy decisions and priorities that can either propel or inhibit gentrification. This article does not do this issue justice and I hope that as a community we can be aware of this issue and proactive about acting in accord with our values.

[tommy]

I think it'd be more accurate to say "the hippies have become foodies"...


In this article, Is “For Sale” a sign of the times for Sebastopol? (https://www.sonomawest.com/sonoma_west_times_and_news/news/is-for-sale-a-sign-of-the-times-for-sebastopol/article_bbe12520-0f16-11e7-8f38-6b8453c735d8.html), the reporter writes, "It may be hard to pinpoint what finally brought Sebastopol to the precipice of change."

“It indicates the general influx of foodies replacing the hippies (According to realtor David Rendino of RE/MAX Marketplacew).”...

[jerichsalud]

Yeah, good point. It is probably too easy to be a critic. At the same time, as someone born in Sebastopol, I'd like to see the changes called for what they are and not be sugar coated as it is increasingly hard for the "locals" to live locally. Jacob


...How much can we do to guide the process of change? What are your recommendations for rent and zoning laws? Don't shoot the messenger cause they raise questions without answering them...

[Dustyg]

Amen, Jacob. I hope I qualify as a 'local' now that I've been here 43 years! It is increasingly difficult for me to stay in my home, and it IS home to me. Prices just keep going up and for many of us, our income has no possibility of matching the rise. Do we need one more restaurant? Or $600 a night hotel? It's sad to see our basic values being so compromised for money...I don't want to leave home....

Yeah, good point. It is probably too easy to be a critic. At the same time, as someone born in Sebastopol, I'd like to see the changes called for what they are and not be sugar coated as it is increasingly hard for the "locals" to live locally. Jacob