September 9, 2026

See Petaluma through the eyes of one of today's eminent urban analysts and thought-leaders.  Join Urban Chat’s Know Before You Grow forum Wednesday evening for a conversation with Scott Bernstein, the founder and president emeritus of the Center for Neighborhood Technology and a veteran of a half-century at the leading edge of urban planning…

November 12, 2025

Part 2 of our Strong Towns series features two additional Not Just Bikes videos that take a deeper look at what makes cities financially sustainable. Learn how Strong Towns principles might apply right here in Petaluma…

October 8, 2025

In this session, we explored how city design, transportation, and development choices shape a community’s long-term health. Featuring short, engaging videos from Not Just Bikes—created in collaboration with Strong Towns—the discussion connected these big-picture ideas to Petaluma’s own path toward sustainable, financially resilient growth…

June 11, 2025

Join us to hear from Ali Gaylord, Assistant Housing Director for the City of Oakland and Petaluma resident, as she unpacks how local, state, and federal dynamics are shaping the future of affordable housing…

March 12, 2024

Living car-free is a goal for many in Petaluma. Culdesac gave the residents of Tempe, Arizona a chance to reach this goal. So have other places like Barcelona's Super Blocks and the under-construction Merwede District in the Netherlands. Come hear a veteran of people-first developments…

February 26, 2025

As Petaluma seeks to enhance the downtown retail and considers zoning to bring more residents downtown, Jason Reyes of Calson Management will join us to discuss how he views senior housing in the heart of Petaluma.

January 22, 2025

Join Know Before You Grow in learning about how parking alternatives can result in better outcomes, outcomes that other cities are already accomplishing. Learn from the lessons offered by parking guru Donald Shoup and the Parking Reform Network founder Tony Jordan…

October 23, 2024

Join Petaluma Mayor Kevin McDonnell and Calum Weeks, Policy Director of Generation Housing (Gen H) in a discussion of the affordability and availability of housing in Sonoma County and Petaluma….

August 14, 2024

MidPen Housing, already well into construction of their project at 414 Petaluma Boulevard North, at the corner of Oak Street, is also working toward a project they've named Washington Street Commons. It would be on the vacant property across E. Washington Street from the library…

June 26, 2024

Join us to continue the discussion of pocket neighborhoods, small, incremental, infill projects that build community. Jim Heid and Ann Edminster will offer their thoughts as a developer and a resident of North Bay pocket neighborhoods…

June 12, 2024

Join us for a discussion of the history of pocket neighborhoods, their applicability to today's housing crisis, and the intersection of pocket neighborhoods and 15-minute neighborhoods…

May 22, 2024

Shane Phillips believes that effectively tackling the housing crisis requires that cities support both tenant protections and housing abundance. In his book, The Affordable City, he offers a number of policy recommendations…

May 8, 2024

In Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis, renowned urbanists Charles (Chuck) Marohn and Daniel Herriges introduce a first-of-its-kind discussion of the tension between housing as a financial product and housing as shelter. 

March 13, 2024

Join David Baker Architects' principals - David Baker, Caroline Souza, and Brett Randall Jones, for an unforgettable event! Discover their community-oriented approach to designing affordable and market-rate housing that uplifts people and transforms neighborhoods…

November 13, 2023

Join two of the principals of Spirit Living for an introduction to the proposed Spirit Living project. The project has been proposed as a four-story, mixed-use building on Lot 5 of the Riverfront Mixed-use development.

The developers will discuss the need for senior housing and residential care facilities in Petaluma and what the project will do to activate the Riverfront Master Plan…

November 8, 2023

Rovina Lane Apartments is a 32-unit 100% affordable development at the corner of Rovina Lane and Jacquelyn Lane in southwest Petaluma. It is intended to house families earning between 30-60% of Area Median Income.  

Join Armony Companies principal, Lauren Alexander, for a walkthrough of the project site plan and renderings for a 3D visual introduction to the completed project…

October 25, 2023

Among the challenges we face with development in Petaluma are how we respect the historic ambiance of our city while still investing in housing that meets climate and mobility goals.

Join us for a discussion with Alli Thurmond Quinlan, a Fayetteville, Arkansas-based architect who specializes in traditional architecture on small lots…

October 11, 2023

The Petaluma Better Cities Film Festival concluded with a screening of "The Fresno Miracle," a 2012 film about what the people of Fresno have done to preserve the City's agricultural land, revitalize its downtown, and stop the sprawl that was bankrupting their city. Amid Fresno's progress and setbacks, the rudiment of a blueprint for sustainable action has emerged…