Bohemian Article: The Fate of Chanate
https://www.bohemian.com/northbay/the-fate-of-chanate/Content?oid=6621048&showFullText=true
The Fate of Chanate
In this week's cover story, investigative reporter Peter Byrne digs into the proposed sale of the Chanate public hospital complex in Santa Rosa. In 2015, Sonoma County stated it would not accept less than $15 million for the property, but during a series of closed meetings, the price fell to $12.5 million for 860 homes. If developer Bill Gallaher builds 400 residences, the agreed price falls to $6 million, which is also below market value projections for the land. What's going on here? Read the story to find out. Elsewhere, we've got the story on Assemblyman Marc Levine's bill to help migrant youth, a story on fruit-flavored beer, a winemaking-inspired film project and Sonoma's decision to pass on cannabis dispensaries in town. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. —Stett Holbrook, editor
Re: Bohemian Article: The Fate of Chanate
The judge, René Chouteau, who heard the lawsuit seeking to stop the sale said he shouldn't second guess the elected supervisors with respect to the valuation of the property. If they put a low value on it he should defer to their assessment.
But you've got to ask why are they taking so much in campaign contributions from this guy. He's not trying to buy favors, and they're not trying to give him a good deal as a way of saying thanks?
Excerpt from the Bohemian:
Gallaher's proposal was championed by supervisor Shirlee Zane, who had appointed Shahhosseini to the planning commission in 2009. It is worth noting that Zane has received $63,000 in campaign contributions from Gallaher, who is a prolific funder of local politicians. Zane declined to comment for this story.
Judge cancels Sonoma County’s sale of Santa Rosa site for proposed housing development
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8...a-countys-sale
This is Huge News!
excerpt -
In his ruling, (Judge) Chouteau rejected the Friends of Chanate’s argument that the sale represented a “gift of public funds.”
Gallaher agreed to pay at least $6 million in cash for the land, though the sticker price could rise to as much as $11.5 million depending on how many units he is allowed to build. ...
Chouteau also was unpersuaded by the residents’ contention that supervisors had closed-door conversations about the deal that exceeded what they were legally allowed to discuss. ...
But Chouteau did agree with the lawsuit’s most pivotal claim: that the county incorrectly decided its 82-acre real estate deal was exempt from environmental review.
Re: Bohemian Article: The Fate of Chanate
I see in today's PD article, that the judge has voided the sale of the Chenate property, basically, because the County did not do an environmental review, but rushed into the sale to the developer Gallaher. The article in the Bohamian was interesting and informative, though one sided, in my view.
I went to one of the public meetings a few years ago, that the County held, on the Chenate property. It was MC'ed by Supervisor Shirley Zane. They gave a broad overview of the property, then divided the approx 75 people attending into groups, to discuss the development of the property. Then each group gave feedback. I was impressed with the County's effort to involve the public.
From reading the Boho article, it's Jeremy Nichols, board member of the Bird Rescue Center, a bird hospital in the middle of the 82 acre Chenate property, who's one of the leaders of the Friends of Chenate group who are trying to stop the sale. My conclusion is that his motives are hardly unbiased, since his group is losing their bird hospital. However, that's obviously how people get involved in local issues.
The PD article recognized the opposition from neighbors. It's no wonder they don't like the loss of the tranquility of this undeveloped parcel. As to Bohenmian about a $63k donation of the developer Gallaher to Sup Zane... well... that's the way our politics work.
Their biggest desire is to reduce the development from 860 homes proposed by Gallaher, to 400 proposed by Friends of Chenate. Simple math shows that this reduces the homes per acre from 10 to 5. The demand for housing gives strength to more houses per acre. Quibbling about how much Gallaher pays the County for the land, or Conflict of Interest with Sup Zane are off the mark. While people gripe about a developer making money in building homes to satisify the demand... this is the way housing gets built in our economy. Saying there needs to be fewer houses so roads don't get clogged in a fire is a weak argument.
I look forward to more information on this project.
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by MikeH:
https://www.bohemian.com/northbay/the-fate-of-chanate/Content?oid=6621048&showFullText=true
The Fate of Chanate
In this week's cover story, investigative reporter Peter Byrne digs into the proposed sale of the Chanate public hospital complex in Santa Rosa. In 2015, Sonoma County stated it would not accept less than $15 million for the property, but during a series of closed meetings, the price fell to $12.5 million for 860 homes. If developer Bill Gallaher builds 400 residences, the agreed price falls to $6 million, which is also below market value projections for the land. What's going on here? Read the story to find out. Elsewhere, we've got the story on Assemblyman Marc Levine's bill to help migrant youth, a story on fruit-flavored beer, a winemaking-inspired film project and Sonoma's decision to pass on cannabis dispensaries in town. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. —Stett Holbrook, editor
Re: Bohemian Article: The Fate of Chanate
As usual Tommy missed the point; or rather the key points. You do not sell such a valuable property for half or less of it's value just because you're getting fed campaign contributions. And Shirley Zane certainly is not being singled out. How much did Lynda Hopkins take from him or his associates? How about James Gore? Do you remember how much Gallaher's son in law gave to city council candidates Jack Tibbetts and Ernesto Olivares? Nor do you cook up lies while in closed session, reduce them to writing, then spring them on the public on the day the final open session approval is to occur. I was there that very day. Komron was there. He was greeting people as they arrived like he was the host of a party.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/6...sued-for-libel
In a lawsuit filed last month in Sonoma County Superior Court, Bill Gallaher, a banker and developer, and his son-in-law, Scott Flater, claim their reputations were harmed by four stories published in October and November detailing $195,000 in independent expenditures reported by Flater to support three council candidates.
Re: Bohemian Article: The Fate of Chanate
It's going the wrong way. Really they should consider increasing the density. But the real shame is lack of movement on housing near the new Smart train. The problem with housing is more people and no more housing. Attached is an article that innumerates the ways housing is constrained by planning policies and the density is one critical aspect.
https://www.gensleron.com/cities/201...using-cri.html
More people in the county without more housing has to lead to more misery; how can it not? Interesting fact from the article is the net residential population of CA has gone down 1 million with people moving to other states. The net increase in overall population must come from foreign immigrants (legal and illegal), so we must have some place to house them or again misery increases.
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by tommy:
I see in today's PD article, that the judge has voided the sale of the Chenate property...
Their biggest desire is to reduce the development from 860 homes proposed by Gallaher, to 400 proposed by Friends of Chenate. Simple math shows that this reduces the homes per acre from 10 to 5.
I look forward to more information on this project.
Re: Bohemian Article: The Fate of Chanate
Clearly Mike has an agenda ("as usual") and a lot of knowledge that I, for one, don't have.
This is such an important topic that I would appreciate Mike spelling out his points so the rest of us can "be in on the know" and maybe have a real good discussion and learning experience. For example, how much did Lynda Hopkins get from Gallaher? What are the other reasons (beyond campaign contributions) the Supervisors voted to sell the property? What's all this business about lies, closed session,, Komron and "party host"?
It sure sounds like it might be interesting and important. I sure would like to know what Mike knows and what its all about.
Thanks in advance.
Quote:
Posted in reply to the post by MikeH:
As usual Tommy missed the point; or rather the key points. You do not sell such a valuable property for half or less of it's value just because you're getting fed campaign contributions. And Shirley Zane certainly is not being singled out. How much did Lynda Hopkins take from him or his associates? How about James Gore? Do you remember how much Gallaher's son in law gave to city council candidates Jack Tibbetts and Ernesto Olivares? Nor do you cook up lies while in closed session, reduce them to writing, then spring them on the public on the day the final open session approval is to occur. I was there that very day. Komron was there. He was greeting people as they arrived like he was the host of a party.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/6...sued-for-libel
In a lawsuit filed last month in Sonoma County Superior Court, Bill Gallaher, a banker and developer, and his son-in-law, Scott Flater, claim their reputations were harmed by four stories published in October and November detailing $195,000 in independent expenditures reported by Flater to support three council candidates.
Re: Bohemian Article: The Fate of Chanate
Santa Rosa had a developer for railroad square housing but then fired them at first chance. They were outsiders, no political connections.
Clear and concise article. Right now the residential market in sonoma county seems to have stabilized. More rental ads and stable rents, more houses for sale and prices coming down on high end. Still crazy money with lots of people living in cars and campers. Misery or the new normal?
Do Not Pimp The Vets Says Duane De Witt
House Vets First
It's time to reimagine Chanate
BY DUANE DE WITT
Congratulations to the Friends of Chanate for slowing the sweetheart deal between Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane and the Bill Gallaher development company. Let's not give away this long-time public asset and community hospital site. Now with a bit of breathing room, as the supervisor prepares to spend more taxpayer money on the appeal process, the community should be allowed into the planning process for this site before it is sold to anyone.
Especially helpful would be to allow Sonoma County veterans, who are not real estate brokers and developers, to be a part of the housing planning and design process. Projects like the Palms Inn (see The Paper, p10) are not the best way to help veterans in need of housing. That project has helped the owners of the motel to become politically active, but it is more like a last resort for many truly needy homeless veterans to live out their last days.
In March 2017, the Sonoma County Grand Jury report recommended the Chanate site be used to help house the homeless before it was sold. Now is an excellent time for county officials to get off their overpaid duffs and truly help veterans instead of just trying to "pimp" them out for development projects using the funding from the Section 8 vouchers that some have.
Even better, I urge the county not to appeal the court's decision to block the project and instead rework the entire effort to sell the property. As an alternative, why not lease the property to housing developers who agree to provide veterans housing first? Otherwise, please stop blowing smoke our way. Veterans are not stupid and know what is really happening here.
Duane De Witt lives in Santa Rosa.
Open Mic is a weekly feature in the 'Bohemian.' We welcome your contribution. To have your topical essay of 350 words considered for publication, write [email protected].
