Planning Project for 103 Unit Housing Project at 21837 Geyserville Ave,

 

UPDATES:

April 10, 2026
UPDATE: Proposed Housing Development Application Permit Sonoma File No.: PLP25-0006

Developer City Ventures submitted a revised application to Permit Sonoma in March 2026.  The revision included the addition of 20 on-site affordable housing units for a project total of 103 units, in exchange for waivers or reductions from legal requirements, the original application failed.

On Friday, April 10, 2026, Permit Sonoma notified the Developer that some revisions failed to comply with legal requirements.  The Developer must submit another revised application satisfying these new requirements, which is expected to occur quickly.  Permit Sonoma has advised me that a Design Review Hearing is expected this May or June.  

The GPC will have an in-depth discussion on this topic at its next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 26, at 6 pm.  If a second revised application is submitted and accepted by Permit Sonoma before this date, the GPC will hold a Special Meeting ASAP to discuss all details and immediately organize a Geyserville community response.

Quick takeaways:

March 2026 Developer Revised Application:

• The State Density Bonus Law allows Developers to qualify for waivers from some legal requirements, such as minimum parking spaces, by including 20% on-site affordable housing.
• The Developer added 20 on-site affordable housing units (10 lower-income and 10 moderate-income) to qualify for these waivers that include fewer parking spaces and a shorter setback distance from Highway 101.

April 2026 Permit Sonoma Letter requirements include:

• Adding one more affordable housing unit for a total of 21 units, likely leading to a project total of 104 units.
• Increasing the square footage of affordable units to the legally required 75% ratio to market-rate units.  Currently, smaller affordable units are around 1,000 sq ft and must be increased to about 1,272 sq ft.

City Ventures Revised Application

https://parcelsearch.permitsonoma.org/api/documents/9297695

Permit Sonoma Updated Completeness Review and Consistency Determination

https://parcelsearch.permitsonoma.org/api/documents/9302245

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November 13, 2025:  Permit Sonoma sent developer City Ventures a Consistency Review Letter stating the application is “inconsistent, not in compliance, or not in conformity with an applicable objective plan, program, policy, ordinance, standard, requirement, or other similar provision.”

PLEASE SEE THE LETTER HERE

This means there are specific issues, primarily related to lighting, parking, and various setbacks (including open space, riparian, and agricultural buffer), where the proposed project fails to comply with the applicable codes or laws.

Next Step:

City Ventures must respond to the letter and address each comment by resubmitting revised plans and supporting documents that show the required corrections.  Permit Sonoma does not have a deadline to receive the City Venture’s response.

October 15, 2025: Project application, Permit Sonoma File No. PLP25-6000 has been Deemed Complete for processing. This means Permit Sonoma has begun its review of the project application for consistency with applicable development standards. This includes:

• Design Review
The application is evaluated by the Design Review Committee (DRC), primarily focused on site design, landscaping, and other design-related characteristics. The DRC may approve the project or recommend design changes before approving.

Next Step: This is where the Geyserville community will have the most influence if specific ideas are presented at the DRC public hearing (to be scheduled) in Santa Rosa after its review has been completed, but before the project is brought to the Planning Commission for a final decision.

The DRC will provide 10 calendar days’ notice of the public hearing (likely before the end of 2025). The GPC will notify Geyserville residents in advance of the meeting and work with efforts to present specific design ideas. Please email specific design ideas, including images, to the GPC at president@geyservilleplanningcommittee.com.

• Technical Review
A ministerial process, conducted in parallel to design review, where the project is reviewed for compliance with the County’s mandatory requirements and objective standards, policies, and consistency with the General Plan. There is no opportunity for public input here. Any issues that arise will be resolved between the Developer, Permit Sonoma, and other agencies before presentation to the Planning Commission.

• Environmental (CEQA) Review
Provided that the proposed project complies with applicable mitigation measures in the 2023 Housing Element EIR, no further environmental review is required. Some mitigation measures may require additional technical study to determine the scope of mitigation. Those technical analyses will need to be completed prior to a final decision by the Planning Commission on the project.

Early 2026:
After Permit Sonoma completes formal processing of the project (above), it will present its recommendations at a Planning Commission public hearing to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the project. The GPC strongly urges all members of the community to attend this public hearing and voice their opinions, which may influence the Planning Commission’s decision. If an approval is appealed, the Board of Supervisors becomes the decision-making body.

The GPC will provide advance notice of all public meetings once scheduled.

Geyserville Housing Project Overview

Location address: 21837 Geyserville Ave, Geyserville, CA

• Housing project on 5.11 acres
• 93 residential condominiums throughout 17 buildings
• 204 parking spaces
• 100+ bicycle parking spaces
• Associated site improvements
• One subdivision entry, located on Geyserville Avenue
• The project currently proposes to satisfy inclusionary housing requirements through the payment of the in-lieu fee.

File Number: PLP25-0006
Applicant Name: Kelso G. Barnett, City Ventures
Owner Name: PetroMart Retail Group Inc
APN: 140-180-035
Zoning: R3 B6 20 DU, RC50/25 SR (High Density Residential District)

 

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How to Submit Public Comments

How to Submit Public Comments:

Submit your comments via email or US mail to the Permit Sonoma Project Planner, Alisa Rossetti below:

The Geyserville Planning Committee is requesting comments from Geyserville residents to be included in our official correspondence with Sonoma County regarding this proposal.  Please submit comments to: Benny Allen, President at president@geyservilleplanningcommittee.com

 

Project Details & Documents

1. Full Project Application (note: large file, could take extra time to access)

Download Full Application (PDF)

2. Zoning & Parcel Report

View Zoning & Parcel Report

GPC Actions:

• June 2025: Proposed Housing Development section on GPC website goes LiVE, providing all public documents, updates, and next steps to the community.
• August 2025: Kelso Barrett, Director of Development, City Ventures, presented proposed development at the GPC meeting.
• September 2025: Shaun McCafferty, Chair and District 4 Planning Commissioner, Sonoma County Planning Commission, discussed the development at the GPC meeting.
• October 2025: GPC organizes the Geyserville community to draft a 21-page letter to Shaun McCaffery outlining concerns regarding the proposed development.
• November 2025: GPC receives a response letter from Shaun McCaffery, directly addressing issues raised by the Geyserville community.

 

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