The big news of the week is the confirmation that environmental architect Carl Elefante, author of "Going for Zero", will speak in Petaluma on October 26.  It should be an insightful evening and also timely as the current election campaign hyperbole has seemingly loss track of the climate urgency and more.  Resulting misunderstandings about Urban Chat are explored in the calendar email.

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With the Planning Commission meeting cancelled, it'll be a quiet week in Petaluma, but the Thursday Urban Chat lunch will be an opportunity to chew over the newly approved General Plan, the recent presentation by Scott Bernstein on H+T, the Transit Scavenger Hunt, the Week Without Driving, and more.

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On Monday, the City Council will consider adopting the updated General Plan. On Saturday, a transit scavenger hunt will take participants on a SMART train and a Sonoma County bus while also encouraging them to learn more about the transit options available in Petaluma. Looking ahead, Urban Chat is planning a visit by a prominent environmental architect in late October…

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Know Before You Grow brings a prominent urban thinker to the Zoom mike on Wednesday.  Then, a few days later, an Urban Chat team will turn a Saturday afternoon into a fun family transit experience.  Lastly, urban planning gets a free-speech boost…

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Lots of transit updates, past, present, and future. Look especially for a transit scavenger hunt in three weeks. Also, a final observation from Ohio questions whether federal grant dollars are effectively targeted toward the most important needs…

(The clock tower is on the Marietta College campus.  Per family oral history, my great-grandfather Russell, who was a self-educated woodworker/machinist, would lower my grandfather Lloyd on a bosun's chair for repairs to the clock face.)

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We have news about a zoning reform workshop and a forum on the future of bus transit in Petaluma. In addition, insights are offered about downtown revitalization in a handful of towns in the Midwest and East. Thoughts are suggested on local ownership, downtown benefactors, prioritizing people, and being cautious of free money…

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The Parking Reform Network offers a playbook for the lulls between advocacy windows.  Dave Alden shares his story about how he came to Urban Chat.  And two community events are cited as good opportunities to learn and to participate…

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Greetings from Ohio where I attended a family wedding over the weekend.

A few weeks ago I was chatting with a Planning Commissioner when the name James Howard Kunstler was raised.  I recalled that I’d done a review years ago of the master work of the Hunter S. Thompson of urbanism.  I shared the link to my review of “The Geography of Nowhere”…

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This week the sudden outbreak of West Coast fires causes puzzlement about why climate action has dropped as a public concern.  It also prompts a look back at the Urban Chat history and position on climate action. 

Plus, a transit scavenger hunt is coming for which more hands would be welcome….Planetizen is recommended as a source of urbanism news…and locally, the Council will presumably approve the purchase of more electric buses for Petaluma Transit…

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I’ve become a regular attendee of the weekly Zoom call “Ask StrongTowns Anything”.  I find the calls insightful and inspirational.  The call this past week was no exception.  The guest was John Simmerman of Active Towns, a nonprofit that advocates for bicycling and aligns well with Strong Towns…

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Clucking Money Recap, Travel/Learning Opportunities, Sonoma County Transit Also Makes Changes, National Night Out

The second forum of the Follow the Clucking Money series was held last week and was another success.  Nearly sixty attendees learned about the revenue streams that sustain the City…

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Part two of Urban Chat’s Following the Clucking Money series has finally arrived.  Learn more about how the revenue side of Petaluma’s annual budget is constructed and participate in a cooperative exercise on expanding revenues.  RSVP now as space is limited.  Next, read about how largely forgotten urban planner Holly Whyte followed his own instincts in changing how we use public spaces.  Plus, learn where to find the best won ton soup in Petaluma…

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Urban Chat’s Follow the Clucking Money series returns on July 15 with a free workshop exploring the revenue side of Petaluma’s budget, building on April’s popular session. RSVP soon, as space is limited. Urban Chat is also seeking a volunteer treasurer to help with basic bookkeeping and financial oversight. Dave’s annual birthday wonton soup lunch tradition returns this week, with community members invited to stop by for conversation. Plus, read about changing transit ridership patterns and a fresh perspective on common objections to new bike lanes…

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Urban Chat’s recent Vacancy Project community forum drew a full house at Della Fattoria, launching an encouraging conversation about creating a more vibrant, climate-friendly, and financially resilient Petaluma. We also share updates on Urban Chat’s funding, the postponement of the Better Petaluma Film Festival, and our search for a part-time staff person. Looking ahead, we’re exploring community-led neighborhood walks inspired by Strong Towns and continuing conversations about the future of local transit in a post-pandemic world…

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We explore what financially sustainable growth could look like for Petaluma, from Chuck Marohn's perspective on development to a vision for future land use, transit, and zoning. We also share an update on Urban Chat, including opportunities to support our work during a challenging funding period and our search for a part-time team member to help advance our community programs and events. We're grateful for your continued engagement, ideas, and support as we keep building a stronger, more resilient Petaluma…

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Demand for our June 24 community gathering for The Vacancy Project remains exceptionally strong. After expanding seating, the event quickly filled again. While we're sorry we can't accommodate everyone, we'll share highlights from the evening and future opportunities to stay involved. This week is Strong Towns Membership Week. Founder Chuck Marohn will discuss the organization's future during Wednesday's webinar. Contact Dave for the Zoom link. Dave's annual birthday lunches return July 7–10, featuring won ton soup and conversation about urbanism, Urban Chat, and the future of Petaluma…

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Urban Chat’s June 24 Vacancy Project forum generated an overwhelming response, filling the room faster than anticipated. While we're excited by the community's enthusiasm, we recognize some supporters may not have had an opportunity to RSVP. We're exploring ways to expand participation and encourage interested attendees to join the waitlist. Looking ahead, our popular Follow the Clucking Money series returns July 15 with a deeper dive into how revenues flow into City Hall. Urban Chat has also launched a new Facebook page as part of expanded community outreach efforts…

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Last week’s Know Before You Grow forum drew more than 50 attendees to discuss the proposed Kentucky Street pedestrianization pilot. Led by committee chair Leslie Fruchey, the Free Range Kentucky team shared examples from other communities, insights from a successful U.S. pedestrianization effort, and gathered extensive public feedback. A recording will be posted on Urban Chat’s Past Events page soon. Community members interested in supporting the effort are encouraged to connect with the Free Range Kentucky team and watch for upcoming opportunities to get involved…

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After 18 days away, Dave is back in Petaluma (despite a travel saga involving multiple bus breakdowns) and ready to resume Urban Chat duties. His trip included a road journey through Midwest and Rust Belt communities, plus two urban planning conferences that sparked new ideas he’ll share soon. He also recommends You’ll Pay for This!, a compelling look at municipal finance and infrastructure costs, and notes a surprising recent surge in readership for his longtime urbanism blog…

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Fresh from the Congress of the New Urbanism in Arkansas—and with the Strong Towns National Gathering still ahead—Urban Chat is bringing home new ideas and hard questions. One striking contrast: while national housing advocates explored bold, flexible solutions to address the housing crisis, a local push in Petaluma called for stricter building height limits regardless of impact. It’s a timely reminder that solving housing challenges requires balancing aesthetics, feasibility, and the urgent need for more homes…

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