As Petaluma grapples with transit funding challenges, two recent articles offer timely perspective. Transit expert Jarrett Walker highlights how outdated state funding models and poorly sited medical facilities strain local transit systems—parallels that resonate with Petaluma Transit and Kaiser’s location. A second piece by David Zipper makes the case that density is essential to financially resilient, climate-friendly, and reliable transit, with clear relevance to Petaluma’s Downtown Overlay and upcoming General Plan decisions.

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Thanks to everyone who joined Urban Chat’s Annual Meeting. The conversation and feedback offered clear insight into our work to date and helped sharpen our thinking about what comes next. Building on that momentum, our first board meeting with new directors takes place this week as we begin shaping plans for 2026. We also shared updates on the SMART Initiative’s progress toward the June ballot and discussed ongoing efforts around neighborhood cafés and zoning reforms…

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This week’s update highlights a pivotal moment for Urban Chat. The annual meeting on Wednesday marks significant leadership transition, with new directors and officers shaping the organization’s next chapter amid record membership and an ambitious year ahead. A Petaluma Transit workshop the night before will tackle tough service decisions under fixed funding, urging public input. The newsletter closes with reflections on growing interest in car-free living—and the transit investment required to make it viable…

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This week’s newsletter spans play, policy, and participation. It recaps a small but revealing Regional Planning Game session that offered a surprisingly realistic glimpse into the politics of land-use decisions. It also reflects on a timely discussion of induced traffic—extending the concept beyond cars to bikes and transit—before touching on recent public comments about eight-story buildings near the SMART station. Urban Chat’s upcoming annual meeting provides opportunities for member engagement…

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Urban Chat enters 2026 questioning whether last year’s embrace of “abundance” was rhetoric or real commitment, as downtown vitality, housing-friendly zoning, and transit funding face renewed pressure. We explore why housing reforms often fall short without a functioning “housing ecosystem” and what it will take to align policy, process, and community intent. With our membership drive ending and the annual meeting ahead, this is a moment to engage, reflect, and help shape the path forward…

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With the holiday season continuing and no major public meetings scheduled, this week’s update leans lighter. Urban Chat is hosting a land-use planning board game meetup at Aqus Cafe on Sunday, January 4—part game, part conversation, and a fun way to kick off 2026. The newsletter also shares a small book giveaway for Urban Chat members and a request for help returning a borrowed planning book, closing on a reflective note about thoughtful urban dialogue…

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As the year winds down, Urban Chat shares lighter reflections and community highlights: a land-use planning board game meetup at Aqus Café on Jan. 4; insights on grocery deserts and the policies shaping walkable neighborhoods; a nod to valuable urbanist resources like The Overhead Wire; and congratulations to co-founder Barry Bussewitz for exemplary transit use. We also invite help returning a borrowed book, “Chambers for a Memory Palace.” What a thoughtful way to start 2026…

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As the holidays approach, Urban Chat is shifting from events to planning a busy and ambitious 2026. We’re shaping next year’s Know Before You Grow forums and welcome topic ideas and collaborators. Our membership drive is underway, with expanded member benefits coming in 2026. The Annual Meeting will be held January 21, including board elections. We’re also refining our website and inviting ideas for new programs aligned with our mission..…

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The Transit Advisory Committee’s December 16 workshop on Petaluma Transit finances has been postponed to January 20, with direction-setting expected then and City Council review to follow in spring. The committee will still meet December 16 to review financial data, with time for public comment. Separately, a recent look at downtown San Luis Obispo offers useful lessons for Petaluma—especially around parking policy—while underscoring that each downtown needs its own, locally grounded path forward.…

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Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns and Neil Postman, in Amusing Ourselves to Death, offer parallel concerns about how modern media shapes our understanding and weakens sustained public engagement. Marohn points to social media’s role in revealing the limits of suburban development, while Postman argues that our shift toward image-driven communication shortens attention spans and discourages deeper thought. Together, their insights raise a pressing question for us: how do we engage people in ways that inspire real, lasting commitment?…

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Urban Chat volunteers submitted 291 SMART Initiative signatures—strong work that helped contribute to nearly 72,000 signatures region-wide. With more than 80% validity in early sampling, the measure is well-positioned for the June 2026 ballot.

Looking ahead, the campaign will need broad community support. Friends of SMART is stepping up again and seeking new, younger leadership. If you’re interested in helping, let’s connect…

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We’re testing a new quick-look section to spotlight the week’s key calls to action and would love your thoughts. At last week’s GPAC meeting, the fiscal analysis for Petaluma’s draft General Plan showed it only barely covers long-term costs—a result framed as good news, despite deepening our fiscal hole. And with full build-out unlikely, the projects most likely to move ahead could strain future budgets. This is the week for community voices to speak up…

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It’s a full week for Urban Chat and Petaluma civic life. Our upcoming Know Before You Grow forum coincides with Strong Towns’ national membership week, highlighting our shared goals. Conversations continue around D Street safety, SMART petitions, Petaluma’s General Plan, and public engagement.  Schedule a lunch to learn more. Stay tuned for details on Urban Chat’s upcoming membership drive…

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Thoughts from Portland: At Mpact—formerly Rail-Volution—community leaders explored how better mobility can help cities thrive.

A few quotes captured the spirit of the event: “You shouldn’t need a car to prosper.”“We control land use.”“Courage is in short supply.” Together, they remind us that progress starts locally.

Join the Conversation: Dave will continue hosting informal lunches to share ideas and explore new initiatives. If you’d like to take part, get in touch to find a time that works…

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Urban Chat’s recent Know Before You Grow forum with The Civic Brand author Ryan Short sparked thoughtful discussion about how Petaluma can build a stronger civic identity through more connected public engagement. Meanwhile, early exploration for the Copeland Landing charrette included a Bay Area field trip to study transit-oriented developments and gather ideas that might inspire Petaluma’s next steps…

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Momentum is building for this Wednesday’s Know Before You Grow, as author Ryan Short joins us to discuss The Civic Brand and how communities can engage more effectively. His plainspoken insights into why public engagement often falls short — and how to make it work — have struck a chord locally, inspiring community leaders to rally others to join the conversation.

Looking ahead, KBYG continues strong: Nov. 12 extends our StrongTowns discussion, and Dec. 10 features author Carter Lavin on If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight…

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Last week’s Know Before You Grow brought a lively crowd — including three City Councilmembers — for a rich conversation about Petaluma’s budget realities and community priorities.

The session recording will be posted soon — stay tuned.

Up next, on October 22, author Ryan Short joins us to discuss The Civic Brand and how shared identity and inclusive dialogue can help communities thrive…

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This week’s forums dive into two sides of community growth and engagement. On October 9, we’ll screen three Not Just Bikes videos exploring the Strong Towns perspective on how suburban sprawl strains city finances — a timely conversation for anyone curious about Petaluma’s fiscal future. Then on October 22, author Ryan Short joins us to discuss The Civic Brand and how shared identity shapes public engagement…

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Recap of Better Petaluma Film Festival, Urban Chat website, SMART Initiative petitions, and kick-off

As much of the Urban Chat team is taking deep breaths following last week’s Better Petaluma Film Festival, this email will be mercifully short this week.  But there will be much to share in the coming weeks…

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Finally, the Better Petaluma Film Festival – At long last, the third annual Film Festival is here.  This Wednesday evening, we again gather for an evening of films intended to get our creative and community juices flowing.  Grab the opportunity to learn from such influential urbanist voices as Peter Calthorpe, Daniel Herriges, Howard Blackson, and Gracen Johnson…

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