Article: CVS/Chase - A balanced perspective

by Frank Baumgardner
WaccoBB.net

Perhaps now is a good time to take a deep breath, step back and look at the CVS/Chase-Pellini property deal, hopefully, from a balanced perspective. There are positives and negatives in a deal this large.

First, on the negative side, the City Council's 3-2 approval of the revised CVS/Chase project is a definite setback, a step toward a probable traffic nightmare (or, at the very least, a leap into the unknown) for the all citizens of Sebastopol, as well as many, like myself and family who love Sebastopol. A nagging question (although some may say, a ‘sidebar’) is how and why did the Barlow project gain such rapid approval while this project has taken so very long to be considered and now finally approved? Don't get me wrong. I’m going to contribute something to the folks trying to file a lawsuit against the developer. This new project will make the already very poorly designed intersection of Bodega Hwy/Hwy. 12 and Petaluma Ave. far, far, far worse. This developer should have been required by the City to improve and redesign this vital confluence BEFORE the project was totally approved. Seems clear that money has greased the wheels. Hey, it’s the American way! Now it is already too late to make the City’s position clear and get the required funds allocated for intersection rebuilding, an extra lane all the way to Fulton Road, etc. The developer got away with murder on that one!

It also seems clear that the present leadership of Sebastopol’s City Council has made serious blunders. Mayor Wilson never heard of "due diligence” with the developer, state and county transportation authorities in order to obtain the funds mentioned above.

Another obvious problem: Sebastopol is losing most of its small town character. The construction phase is only the beginning of the gross changes this project creates. The virtual end of Sebastopol’s charm. The appearance of the downtown already is marred by multi-story businesses which have been allowed. The ugly Barlow project with its stark, boxy warehouse effect along with an ugly office complex on Morris has marred Sebastopol’s main entrance and exit from the East.

Commuters, soccer moms and dads, truckers- in other words-almost everyone-face a huge dilemma. The two other possible ways in and out of Sebastopol from the East, High School Road to Occidental Road or Llano Road to Todd to Hwy. 116, thank God, already exist but will be more congested than ever. Leading to more slowdowns, probable accidents, longer time sinks. The main problem of how to get the “through traffic” in and out of the town could have been solved in 1968 had leaders then exercised a little forethought by approving the bypass from Hwy 101 across the Laguna connecting to Hwy. 116 north of Sebastopol’s city limits. But, like Mayor Wilson and the other two council members who just approved this mistake, leaders weren’t focused on the long term.

Conceivably, there are positives to the situation. The city will pull in additional business taxes.The Pellini family will get something. They may be paid promptly by this developer. I hope so. For generations the Pellini family have been excellent stewards. They employed many: salesmen, clerks, mechanics, and other support staff. They have given back by donations to others: struggling nonprofits, community organizations and the like. Family members have always been positive role models; a good influence in the Sebastopol and greater Sonoma County communities. This family has dug deep; more than paid its dues back through its generous annual gifting in responsible ways. Good luck to each of them in the future.

The two businesses, CVS pharmacy and Chase Bank, gain customers. More revenue for two of our nation’s largest corporations. Oh goody! People who happen to live downtown or in the eastern and southern parts of Sebastopol possibly should get their prescriptions filled more quickly.

On the other hand, Chase will use its new income to fund its more nefarious endeavors, such as the Graton Rancheria Indian Tribe’s gigantic three-thousand slot machine Rohnert Park casino. A relatively unknown fact is that JP Morgan Chase holds a large block of stock of Station Casinos, the Vegas casino chain bankrolling this so-called “tribe’s” development.

No one holds a crystal ball. I’ve devoted much of my time to researching California’s past (Killing for Land and Yanks in the Redwoods). Clearly though, this will end up profiting only those already smug and wealthy.