May 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Reed
Director of Public Relations
Gauger + Associates
(415) 434-0303
Jreed@gauger-associates.com
On May 11th at 10:43 pm the City of Rohnert Park Planning Commission unanimously approved the next steps in the preliminary redevelopment plan, which includes recycling of existing structures on the 175 acres of the former-Agilent campus as part of the new Sonoma Mountain Village (“SMV”).
Local developer, Codding Enterprises, the owner of Sonoma Mountain Village, and its consultants presented an overview of the new “Green Village” concept to both the Planning Commission and about 40 interested residents.
Brad Baker, President and CEO of Codding Enterprises, presented the new community and details on how Sonoma Mountain Village will add jobs, homes and services to Rohnert Park.
Laura Hall of Santa Rosa discussed New Urbanism, and how Sonoma Mountain Village architecture and land plan will provide a host of pedestrian-friendly amenities to the local community cutting auto trips by 40%.
Geof Syphers, Director of Green Building at KEMA, described the extensive measures SMV has taken – and will take – to produce a world-class, “Green” community using the latest, state-of-the art practices.
Richard Pope, President and CEO of St. James Properties also spoke on the long-term benefits of the new community to the county and Northern California.
About a dozen residents, including educators, environmentalists, and business leaders spoke mostly in favor of the proposed community.
Sonoma Mountain Village, when built, will be a sustainable mixed-use community on the former Agilent campus, replacing local jobs that were lost when Agilent vacated the site. In keeping with the principles of adaptive re-use and New Urbanism, SMV will attract a variety of employers. The community will also include parks, an international size, all-weather soccer field, a Farmer’s Market and a high-tech business incubator.
According to Commissioner Shawn Kilat, “I just want all of it (the diversity of housing) available, so people of all socio-economic levels can live here. Overall, I am very pleased with the project.”
The new community is envisioned as a collection of “Green” Neighborhoods where people can live, work and enjoy leisure activities, all within easy walking distance from one another. Building in harmony with the existing man-made and natural assets, SMV will help meet the smart growth needs of the region. In keeping with this philosophy, the company has already demonstrated it’s commitment by purchasing $7,500,000 in solar panels to produce sustainable electricity, the largest solar installation in Sonoma county. Codding Enterprises is targeting a Platinum LEED Certification for the community.
More about Sonoma Mountain Village and commercial leasing information is available at: www.sonomamountainvillage.com
Interviews are available with Rohnert Park-based Codding Enterprises, the owner of Sonoma Mountain Village.
Thank you for your interest in this Sonoma County business news.
Sincerely,
John Reed, Media Relations
Gauger + Associates
San Francisco
(415) 434-0303
Jreed@gauger-associates.com
Tina Montgomery
Project Manager
Sonoma Mountain Village
1400 Valley House Drive, Suite 100
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-795-3550 ext. 138
707-665-2882 fax
tinam@codding.com
Mailing address:
PO Box 6655
Santa Rosa, CA 95406