New problem-solving tools

eventcommunity_involvement
Written By Sharon Kirk

July 9, 2025

This event has passed.

Like many California cities, Petaluma faces complex land-use and transportation challenges in the decades ahead. Finding solutions that are broadly supported by the community may require new approaches.

Fortunately, proven tools exist that allow for wide community input and help build strong consensus. This evening is about learning those tools.

Join us for a different kind of Know Before You Grow forum. Instead of reviewing specific land-use proposals or transportation policies, we’ll focus on how to collaborate more effectively and foster meaningful community agreement.

We’ll explore a real Petaluma challenge—one many will recognize as needing better solutions. (No spoilers—we want fresh perspectives!)

By evening’s end, we’ll also introduce future opportunities to put these new tools into practice. It will be a fun, engaging, and thought-provoking event—hopefully the first of many.

Sharon Kirk

Sharon joined Urban Chat in 2017 following a spontaneous meeting with Kevin McDonnell at the Petaluma Engagement Fair (sponsored by PCRC). Her interest in Petaluma city planning stems from her years of living in vibrant, walkable cities including San Francisco and Göteborg, Sweden. Sharon assists with Urban Chat promotional activities and acts as co-chair of the Know Before You Grow educational committee. And despite her hesitation as an introvert, she occasionally hosts events.

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