Now, the district administration will study the detailed election returns and decide whether or not to try again. We're in the education business and it was a learning experience. Only Dave Berto voted against the idea, which was vigorously opposed by many of the area's most influential business and development interests. The details of the proposition will still need to be worked out, however, and the council has scheduled a Nov. 21 study session for that purpose. Environmentalists and other advocates of the urban limit lines have been working in most Sonoma County cities to get such decisions before local voters, who can enact limits that would remain in place for 20 years, rather than being amendable by the City Council several times each year.
Opponents cite that rigidity as a flaw in the measures.
Santa Rosa is the first local city to commit to placing the question before its voters. The Petaluma City Council recently rejected a bid to do so in their city. A Gallo spokesman was unavailable for comment. The proposed site for the new facility is behind the Petaluma Kitchen, a program in place to serve lunches to the needy, at Payran and D streets. The shelter would provide homeless single adults with drop-in facilities, such as laundry, shower, telephones, and employment assistance.