Rohnert Park’s planning a move to add the Northwest Specific Plan to its city limits. The NWSP is a 90-acre T-shaped hunk of land set on its edge from Millbrae Ave. on the north to Business Park Drive on the south. Its eastern border is Dowdell Ave. and the shorter base leg extends west to Langner Ave. It’s divided by Wilfred Ave., also known as Golf Course Drive West.

The plan’s in its early stages and it could easily take two years before the Local Agencies Formation Commission (LAFCO) approves it for annexation to the city. If it jumps over the bureaucratic hurdles in the way, it will abut the casino acreage on the south side of Wilfred Ave., with city limits on the north side of the avenue. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR) own the land from here south to Business Park Drive. The casino itself is already  under construction.

Current city limit is Dowdell Ave. and includes the smaller Wilfred-Dowdell Specific Plan, already approved by the city.
“We’ve hired Plannning Center/DC&E as consultants,” said Marilyn Ponton, RP’s planning and building manager. “We’ve also held meetings with stakeholder residents here with more than 35 participants.

“Their main concerns were city sewer and water hookups, road improvements to Golf Course Drive West, annexation, preservation of farm operations, casino impacts and costs to landowners,” They’ve also done “preliminary on-site biological studies,”added Ponton.

They held a second meeting with stakeholders August 22, and a Community Workshop will be held Monday August 27, in city hall to introduce the specific plan process and present existing conditions in the NWSP. The hours are 6:30 to 8:30 pm and the public is invited.

“More meetings and public hearings will be held next year,” said Ponton.