Mark West Harvest Faire is on
There’s a new date for the 2018 trade show put on by the Mark West Chamber of Commerce. Remember, this was supposed to be last October and we all know what happened to that. Then the chamber, along with Supervisor Gore had really hoped and put a lot of effort into having a large combination recovery/trade show event in the spring. It just wasn’t possible.
In spite of so many challenges and so many responsibilities for everyone since the October fires, the chamber has prevailed.
The Mark West Annual Harvest Faire will be on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Luther Burbank Center.
This year it is an opportunity to bring the community together, post fire. It’s a free afternoon of neighborliness and networking, with food and beverage sampling and fun activities for the kids. Come spend an hour or two visiting with your neighbors and reconnecting with local organizations. There’s a silent auction, with proceeds supporting our impacted Mark West business community.
There will be lots of raffle prizes, including four $200 prizes donated by local businesses and you don’t have to stick around to the end to win.
News from the Citizens Advisory Council
The council approved its first application for the Neighborhood Improvement Funding Program. It is actually the second project to be approved for this money, which is paid for and set aside for the customers of the Cal American Water District. The first was welcome signs in Fulton, approved by the board of supervisors some years ago.
Now, the Mark West Citizens Advisory Council (MWCAC) reviews and approves applications before they are sent to the board of supervisors for approval and distribution of the money. This project is for the removal of all the destroyed trees and vegetation in the Mark West Estates neighborhood. The project will include both common and riparian areas.
Wikiup conversations
There are a lot of conversations in Wikiup. A grass roots effort has been organized to create a local governance system to possibly develop some parks in the Mark West area. They would need governance, such as an assessment district, to generate funds to develop and manage them.
They are exploring options, with the idea that if they can create the organization the lands and funds will appear. The group has the support of both Community Soils and the Mark West school board.
An offshoot of this idea is that many members of the Wikiup community are talking about a pedestrian bridge over Mark West Creek from Wikiup to Londonberry Drive. This would not only be a nice bridge for a stroll in the park, it would create a safer way for kids in Wikiup to get to the schools and the shopping center.
Yes, we all realize that the developers own a large part of the creek. They have applied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for funds to help with restoration. It was in bad shape before the fires and then the fires created huge damage, both esthetically and functionally, for the fish and animals that depend on it.
If the Korman, Inc. /Jackson-Banke group were permitted to move ahead with their plans, the organization would work with them on the 16 acres they plan to put into park land along the creek and could help shepherd them.
All three groups are talking to one another and exploring all possibilities.
K zoning uncertainty
Korman, Inc. held a third meeting with the community last week. After hearing from the community last month about what they wanted and didn’t want, Korman brought back the changes they made and presented what they are going to send as an application to the county’s planning department.
It appears as though many neighbors are happy with the plans. There’s about a 40 percent reduction in the number of homes they originally proposed, lowering the density. They are also committing approximately 50 percent of the property to be a park and walking path along the creek.
At the same time, many neighbors are still unhappy with the plans. Some are concerned that with limited ways out of the area, building more homes would only exacerbate the problem in an emergency.
Others are very outspoken against eliminating the “K” zoning designation. They don’t seem to trust the developers and feel that with the K zoning in place, the developers will have to work within parameters more suited to what the community wants. Others are clearly for it, stating that with the K zoning, even higher density would be allowed.
You can read the Sonoma County Zoning Code Regulations for yourselves at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/PRMD/Planning/Project-Review/Services/Zoning/Zoning-Code-Regulations-County
You can also read about the project, get updates and leave your comments at www.wikiupcommons.com
Aggie Maggio is a local Realtor and member of the Mark West Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at Ag*********@ic****.com.
