Irish end
abortion
ban in
landslide
Voters cement liberal shift
away from 1983 measure
with amendment repeal
By KIMIKO DE
FREYTAS-TAMURA
NEW YORK TIMES
W Rebuild
ON H
27, 2018 • SECTI
ers, even for supporters of the summer and are willing to take the extra time
SUNDAY, MAY
measure. And it was not clear hen Mike Baker saw the first crop of and effort in order to get the home they want.
until the end that the momen- rebuilt homes rising from the earth Y Nearly eight months have transpired since
tum toward socially liberal pol- of fire-scarred Coffey Park, he real- NORTH BA the most destructive wildfires in state history
icies would be powerful enough ized the structures had a familiar look. ravaged the North Bay. What becomes clearer
to sweep away deeply ingrained “Almost all of these are floor plans that each month is the rebuild will take far longer
opposition to abortion. I recognize,” said Baker, pastor at Cros- than anyone wishes.
“What we have seen today re- spoint Church in Santa Rosa. The projects In Sonoma County, which suffered the
ally is a culmination of a quiet included a half-dozen rebuilt versions of his biggest losses of lives and property, fire sur-
revolution that’s been taking burned three-bedroom home, which had been vivors have received permits to rebuild about
place in Ireland for the past constructed in the northwest Santa Rosa 400 homes, less than a tenth of the nearly
10 or 20 years,” Prime Minister neighborhood three decades ago by longtime KENT PORTER
/ THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
5,300 houses, apartments and granny units
Leo Varadkar said at a count- homebuilder Condioitti Enterprises. that burned. The permitted rebuilds nearly
to
l on the home next
roofing materia
rhood, puts aged area.
Park neighbo
Rosa’s Coffey 125 homesites in the fire-dam
home in Santa ay at
Hemlock Street projects were underw
out of their tion
a family burned . As of Monday, construc
, a friend of
ing center in Dublin before the Builders and neighbors said it makes sense equal the number of burned lots that have
Dan Holleran California poppies
covered by
a vacant lot
STRUCTION
FOCUS ON CON and warmer, drier daysructio
in
n
out const
er on its way month when
W
ith wet weath supposed to be the off. Each
results of Friday’s vote were that the first rebuilt houses in the burned been put up for sale since the fires.
was would take ations
store, May ty’s fire zones found
Sonoma Coun ery grows, with new aingrove,
projects in of that recov Park, Fount
day, evidence on new homes in Coffey
up area.
walls going
the greater
Mark West 400 rebuildingthe
going in and lost. About
released, giving an early indica- areas would feature relatively few changes to Despite the relatively slow start, contractors
a Valley and pales with what was 250 in Santa
Rosa and
the Sonom ty so far , includ ing underway
to
Still, the activi issued countywide projects are actually
been . Far fewer
permits have city limits yed count ywide .
e battles
outside
tion of the final outcome. the designs. In contrast, Baker and his wife, say a wave of rebuilds is coming. And they
replace the nown amon a lack of skille
now well-k ial costs and
The obstacles,payouts, rising mater a historic
ance Bay —
over insur to do the work. s the North far
ers available but done acros contractors searchingof proj-
s cleanup all with
Yet with debri right — the stage is set, ers speeding their reviewd.
“This has been a great exercise Zoë, now are working with architects and With debris from October’s fires contend that when it hits, the county will need
own nment plann groun
effort in its rs breaking
workers, gover wave of homeowne
and wide for cant
first signifi
ects and the
in democracy,” Varadkar said, engineers to prepare the building plans for nearly cleared, the stage is all the construction workers it can find to meet
“and the people have spoken their new Keoke Court house, which will add a set in the North Bay for home
second story and grow by about 25 percent to construction to pick up steam / H1 TURN TO BUILDERS » PAGE A14
TURN TO ABORTION » PAGE A15
Business E1 Crossword T7 Lotto A2 Obituaries B4 SSU WINE PROGRAM TAKES ROOT: $11 million SANTA ROSA ©2018
Classified E5 Forum B11 Movies D6 Sonoma Life D1 facility with state-of-the-art classrooms and High 82, Low 51 The Press
Democrat
Community B10 LeBaron T1 Nevius C1 Smith A3 more poised to have its grand opening / E1 THE WEATHER, C8
A14 THE PRESS DEMOCRAT • SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2018
Construction workers build a home Thursday on Dogwood Drive in the Coffey Park neighborhood of Santa Rosa on Thursday.
NORTH BAY
Dan Holleran, a friend of a family burned out of their Hemlock Street home in Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park neighborhood, puts roofing material on the home next to
a vacant lot covered by California poppies. As of Monday, construction projects were underway at 125 homesites in the fire-damaged area.
FOCUS ON CONSTRUCTION
W
ith wet weather on its way out and warmer, drier days in
store, May was supposed to be the month when construction
projects in Sonoma County’s fire zones would take off. Each
day, evidence of that recovery grows, with new foundations
going in and walls going up on new homes in Coffey Park, Fountaingrove,
the Sonoma Valley and the greater Mark West area.
Still, the activity so far pales with what was lost. About 400 rebuilding
permits have been issued countywide, including 250 in Santa Rosa and the
remainder outside city limits. Far fewer projects are actually underway to
replace the nearly 5,300 homes destroyed countywide.
The obstacles, now well-known among fire survivors, include battles
over insurance payouts, rising material costs and a lack of skilled labor-
ers available to do the work.
Yet with debris cleanup all but done across the North Bay — a historic
effort in its own right — the stage is set, with contractors searching far
and wide for workers, government planners speeding their review of proj-
ects and the first significant wave of homeowners breaking ground.
INSIDE
FIRST HOME REBUILT WATER QUALITY IMPROVES TEACHING A NEW HELPING FIRE SURVIVORS
IN SR’S COFFEY PARK IN FOUNTAINGROVE GENERATION OF WORKERS NAVIGATE REBUILDING
The city has issued 197 permits Levels of benzene in water mains Training programs are aiding Local governments
to rebuild the neighborhood, have begun to dissipate, but a “race against time” to develop are working to accelerate and
where 1,260 homes were lost. building permits lag other areas. a skilled laborforce. simplify the permit process.
Page H6 Page H9 Page H12 Page H13
PARTICIPATING SPONSORS
H4 THE PRESS DEMOCRAT • SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2018
Carmen Kilcullen, second right, and her daughter, Lauren Kilcullen, walk over a hose as the rebuilding gets underway at their Cross Creek Road property in the Fountaingrove neighborhood
I
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
“If you’re patient, you “Take what you know on “Material things don’t
will get nothing. You have Monday, but know that it matter, but it’s all
to be totally proactive could change on Tuesday. the mementos and
in pushing what you And don’t freak out that memories and things
want to happen.” it changed. You definitely you can’t replace.
JOEL CHANDLER, general contractor
who is rebuilding in the Larkfield Estates
have to be flexible.” That’s the hardest loss.”
neighborhood north of Santa Rosa HANS DIPPEL, property owner in JIM SCALLY, Santa Rosa resident about
Santa Rosa’s Fountaingrove neighborhood losing his home in Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT • SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2018 H5
Hans Dippel sorts through the remains of his fire-ravaged property on Chateau Court on Oct. 19 in Santa Rosa. His insurance coverage has given him time
to make careful decisions, he says, and he advises homeowners who are rebuilding after the wildfires to roll with the punches.
CALL US FOR A
COMPLIMENTARY
CONSULTATION
707.431.8898
Dieter Thurow
CPA/PFS·MBA
Homeowner Dan Bradford, right, watches as PG&E lineman Marc Hockenberger tests for electrical power at Bradford’s rebuilt Coffey Park home.
Water quality
begins to improve
Employees of Kaikaina Construction work on a house Monday in the Fir Ridge neighborhood of Fountaingrove in Santa Rosa. The home was razed during the Tubbs fire.
R
By KEVIN McCALLUM Dashner said. and Keysight Technologies.
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT PG&E crews and contractors are now Joe Kates, a Fountaingrove property
making significant progress upgrading the owner who attended the meeting, said there
ebuilding the hillside utility infrastructure in the Fountaingrove was debate about the wisdom of the phased
Fountaingrove neigh- and Hidden Valley neighborhoods. approach. Some residents who’ve been
The company has completed upgrades to struggling to figure out how to rebuild in the
borhood continues to lag three subdivisions where about 100 homes area have viewed the benzene problem as
other areas of the city. once stood, ensuring that residents will con- the final straw and decided to move on.
Seven and a half months af- nect to a fully modernized electrical system But Kates, a retired molecular biologist,
when they rebuild their homes. said he was actually encouraged by the
ter the Tubbs fire decimated the Crews, many from out of the area, have city’s systematic and data-driven approach
area, just 26 homes are under been installing new hookups that will allow to solving the problem.
construction, 2 percent of the residents to easily reconnect to power tempo- “It was a very strong signal and, on the
rarily during home construction and when basis of that, my wife and I are committed to
1,400 homes incinerated by the the home is ready for occupancy, he said. rebuilding,” he said.
blaze. “Our goal is to complete all of our subdivi-
sion work by the end of the year,” Dashner
That’s a fifth of the number said. Over-excavation of burned sites
that are being rebuilt in the Coffey An emerging problem during the rebuild
Park neighborhood to the west. Water lines to be replaced
has been the removal of too much dirt from
some burned sites in Fountaingrove.
There’s more than that in the Another key utility in Fountaingrove, mu- This is due, in part, to confusion over
pipeline, of course, with 91 per- nicipal water service, is also showing signs how much arsenic is acceptable within the
mits submitted and 49 issued. But of improvement. soil and the unique geological formations
After months of concern that benzene in the region. A naturally occurring metal-
the pace is still far slower than contamination might force a wholesale re- loid, arsenic can cause cancer in humans if
city officials and residents had placement of the water system, city officials ingested in high concentrations, such as by
hoped. Citywide, 250 permits have say that may no longer be necessary. drinking contaminated well water.
The steady drop in benzene levels in the Only recently, however, have agencies
been issued for new homes in the water mains — as opposed to the water agreed to examine and remedy problems
fire zone. service lines — gives them hope the cancer- caused by over-excavation.
causing chemical is steadily getting flushed Sonoma County and Santa Rosa, in
The reasons for the anemic pace of con- out of the water system in the 184-acre area, partnership with the California Governor’s
struction in Fountaingrove are numerous. where people have been advised not to drink Office of Emergency Services, have agreed
The cleanup process managed by the or bathe in the water. to review an estimated 200 sites in the coun-
Army Corps of Engineers got underway lat- “The data suggests it may be premature to ty that may have been over-excavated and
er in Fountaingrove than in other areas. The rush into full replacement,” said Ben Horen- replace the dirt if warranted.
home sites in Fountaingrove, many of which stein, director of Santa Rosa Water. Over-excavation can be a costly problem
are larger than lots in other neighborhoods, Instead, the city is initially planning for people seeking to rebuild, requiring large
have taken longer to clear. A high percent- to spend $3.4 million to replace 500 water amounts of clean fill material to be hauled to
age of insurance claims remain unresolved. service lines — 350 in the advisory area and the property before construction can begin.
And contamination in parts of the water 150 outside the area — and hope contamina- If it is found the site was over-excavated,
system has added a new layer of uncertainty tion levels in the mains continue to drop and the state’s contractor, Orange County-based
as residents decide whether to rebuild. eventually disappear. Sukut Construction, will return excess soil
One thing Fountaingrove has going for it, The service line replacements are expect- that should not have been removed.
however, is that key parts of its infrastruc- ed to be completed by Aug. 3, after which ad- State crews are currently operating in
ture appear to have fared better than other ditional testing will be performed to assess Mendocino County, but will be coming to
parts of the city. the success of the strategy. Santa Rosa and Sonoma County in two to
The electrical system in particular The city’s evolving approach to resolving three weeks, CalOES officials said.
emerged from the firestorm in much better the contamination problem has given some The work will be done at no cost to proper-
shape than the system in Coffey Park, which property owners pause. Several attended a ty owners, and the state will seek reimburse-
was completely fried by the Tubbs fire. private meeting with city officials May 15 at ment for the expenses from the Federal
While it took Pacific Gas & Electric Co. the Finley Community Center. Emergency Management Agency.
crews months to rebuild Coffey Park’s elec- The meeting was organized by Willie To report over-excavation concerns, prop-
trical grid, Fountaingrove’s underground Tamayo, founder of La Tortilla Factory, erty owners can call the Sonoma County
power lines could be re-energized almost who asked the media not to attend to allow Recovers Information Line at 707-565-1222
immediately after inspections confirmed residents and city officials to speak freely. In between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday,
the lines were largely unscathed, said Andy addition to Horenstein, attendees included email info@sonomacountyrecovers.org; or
Dashner, the company’s director of service City Council members Tom Schwedhelm and visit the County Administrator’s Office at
planning and design. John Sawyer; David Guhin, director of plan- 575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A. Prop-
It’s not entirely clear why the lines run- ning and economic development; and Jennifer erty owners must report concerns by May 31
ning about three feet under the sidewalk Burke, deputy director of water resources. to receive a site assessment.
fared better in Fountaingrove, though it Guhin said the city has conducted a num-
could have something to do with the lower ber of such meetings in the community in You can reach Staff Writer Kevin McCallum
density of homes in the area compared to recent months to address issues regarding at 707-521-5207 or kevin.mccallum@pressde-
the compact Coffey Park neighborhood, rebuilding, including at Kaiser Permanente mocrat.com. On Twitter @srcitybeat.
J
By J.D. MORRIS
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT doing and get the work done. It’s just terrible.”
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and for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations may apply. The actual terms of the loan will depend upon the specific characteristics of the loan
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R
in Sonoma and she is thankful ing solutions including convert-
SONOMA INDEX-TRIBUNE
for the support she has received, ed shipping containers, retired
particularly from such organi- cruise ships or barges — shelter
amona Nicholson was zations as the Sonoma Valley that can be moved or reused
awake late on Oct. 8 listen- Rotary club, Seeds of Learning afterward.
and Habitat for Humanity. “Primarily, we focus on working
ing to the wind blow. Upon Volunteers have spent count- with the labor groups,” she said.
hearing that fires had bro- less hours picking up nails and “We listen first; act second. If this
ken out in Napa, she drove from her metal from the grounds and is feasible and collaborative, we
have even helped build a new are supportive. We want the bulk
Sonoma-area house, on the grounds hothouse for the property. of the work to go to locals whenev-
of her family’s Nicholson Ranch “I’m in good spirits,” she said. er possible, but it is not enough to
Winery, over the hill to Old Sonoma “I lost a lot but it has been nice get us through the rebuild.”
to live life a little sparer.”
Road to get a better look.
By the time she turned around to Seeking building permits
head back, the fires were menacing Housing driving policy The first step for those who
A report issued in late April want to rebuild is a building
her property. by the city of Sonoma provided permit.
“I grabbed my pets and wallet and the most precise accounting to CHRISTOPHER CHUNG / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
For all those outside Santa
wanted to find our photo albums, as date of Sonoma Valley homes Ramona Nicholson is seeking to Rosa city limits, that means
lost in the fires. It found a total rebuild after the Nuns fire. working with the county’s new
well, but I just didn’t have time,” she of 407 destroyed homes, plus 487 Resiliency Permit Center, opened
said. As she raced out the driveway, additional structures burned across 29,000 acres. in February. The trailer, in Santa Rosa next to the
the flames had reached her house. Glen Ellen lost 183 homes, 140 were destroyed in county’s planning and building department, Per-
Kenwood, 48 in the Mayacamas Volunteer Fire mit Sonoma, was set up to accelerate the applica-
A firetruck was pulling in, but the District, 33 in the Schell-Vista area at the south- tion process for homeowners in unincorporated
captain told her he had no backup ern end of the valley and three in the northern Sonoma County needing to repair or rebuild.
— all the other trucks had been sent end in Eldridge. The center is currently meeting its goal of
The losses deepened a housing shortage that returning comments on completed applica-
elsewhere. was already acute before the fires. Countywide, tions within three to five business days, with
Nicholson, who owns the property, lost her the five-year need could be as high as 30,000 a 35 percent to 40 percent reduction in fees,
family home, her father’s house, her treasured homes, according to a May 10 report released by according to Maggie Fleming, a Permit Sonoma
Corvette convertible, 10 other small buildings and the Community Foundation of Sonoma County. spokeswoman. “And for less complex projects,
several rail cars on the winery property that first Based on the rush of recent applicants for we will return comments within three days or
night of the fires. The winery itself was spared affordable housing in Sonoma Valley, Supervisor further expedite with over the counter, same day
and reopened in mid-October. Susan Gorin, who represents the region, estimat- approval.”
A United Policyholders survey conducted this ed that at least 3,000 additional units are needed By late May, Permit Sonoma had issued about
spring found that almost 70 percent of those af- in Sonoma Valley to house families and the 150 home rebuilding permits.
fected by the fires believe they do not have enough future workforce. In Sonoma Valley, permitted projects includ-
insurance to replace or rebuild their homes, with The issue is driving post-fire policymaking ed only nine residences in Glen Ellen, four in
an even larger share still resolving their claims. and philanthropy. The Community Foundation’s Kenwood, one on Lovall Valley Road and one on
Nicholson found herself “adequately” insured. Resilience Fund, which had raised $13 million Castle Road. Six others were partway through
She estimated that her insurance will cover about by early May, expects to focus largely on issues the process, according to county officials. Per-
three-quarters of her rebuilding costs. of housing. The fund was created to address mits also have been issued for two guesthouses
The architect leading her rebuilding efforts, the mid- to long-term needs of Sonoma County in Glen Ellen and one in Kenwood.
Vic Conforti, hopes to pour a new foundation during the recovery and rebuilding process. Because Sonoma Valley was among the last
next week. Hers is one of four fire rebuilds he is The Rebuild North Bay Foundation is also areas to be completely cleared of debris in the
working on. focused on the long-term recovery process. government cleanup, permit applications are
Nicholson is using the opportunity to build a Jennifer Gray Thompson, the group’s executive expected to ramp up in the coming months,
better version of the 1940s ranch house lost in the director and a longtime resident of The Springs officials said.
blaze. north of Sonoma, expects construction labor Nicholson is still plowing through paperwork
“I grew up in that house and it’s actually great shortages to be a major stumbling block. for her rebuild, but she said that she is satisfied
to be able to reconfigure the space more logical- “We are heartened that groups such as La Luz with the process so far. She accepts that the wid-
ly,” said Nicholson who, since the fires, has been Center, CTE (Career and Technical Education of er effort is complex, and inevitably a slow one.
roughing it with her teenage daughter in the Sonoma County), North Bay Labor Council and Asked when she expects to be fully moved into
property’s old bunkhouse. North Coast Builders Exchange are all working her new house, Nicholson gave a knowing answer.
Nicholson, 54, and her ex-husband, Deepak hard right now to train skilled labor, but ulti- “I’m hoping for Christmas,” she said. Then
Gulrajani, who leases the winery and vineyards mately it will not be enough,” she said. she burst out laughing.
22 NE WLY D E S I G NE D PL A N S AVA IL A B LE
LABOR SHORTAGE » Programs aim to meet unprecedented demand for skilled workers
A
seniors through a partnership with
s survivors of the North Bay the nonprofit trade group North
fires wrangle with insur- Coast Builders Exchange, the
ance carriers, consult with Sonoma County Office of Education
architects and apply for permits to and the Career Technical Education
rebuild homes ravaged by October’s Foundation Sonoma County.
disaster, an effort is underway to The five-month, after-school
train a new generation of construc- training program introduces par-
tion workers and tradespeople to ticipants to careers in construction
meet the unprecedented demand. and trades disciplines, with students
“This is about radical collabora- visiting job sites, gaining hands-on
tion,” said Katie Greaves, Sonoma learning and earning college credit.
County Workforce Investment Keith Woods, executive director
Board director and director of with the North Coast Builders
employment and training for the Exchange, said he has been “blown
Sonoma County Human Services away” by the commitment of corps
Department. students. The program, he said, “is
It’s an effort sorely needed in not a home run, it’s a grand slam.
Sonoma County. The ratio of That they want to help rebuild the
construction workers to residential community is doubly impressive to
units under construction “is at a me.”
historic low,” according to the 2018 Training organizers are hopeful
Construction Industry Insiders current programs will help make a
report presented by the county difference in long-term rebuilding
Economic Development Board. The efforts.
county’s construction industry “in a “The fact is, before the fires there
race against time,” the report noted. was a critical shortage in the indus-
Help is on the way from several try,” said Kathy Goodacre, executive
quarters. director of the CTE Foundation.
The county’s 6-month-old Of- “It’s a serious issue.”
fice of Recovery and Resiliency is The foundation was approved in
working in support of local training April for a $1 million grant from the
programs to ease the labor shortage Bay Area’s Tipping Point Commu-
and aid the North Bay’s long-term nity to support expansion of the
rebuilding efforts. A partnership North Bay Construction Corps.
also exists to provide job training, Plans call for the corps’ expansion
connect employers with job seekers into neighboring counties.
and ultimately bring skilled work- Such programs help students cul-
ers to job sites across the region as tivate career interests and reinforce
the rebuilding effort progresses. “that there are multiple pathways
Several training programs were to success (besides college),” said
planned or in place before the Amber Figueroa, the foundation’s
October fires destroyed nearly director of CTE programs.
8,500 structures across Sonoma, It’s not only boys and men enter-
Napa, Mendocino and Lake coun- ing the programs. Nayeli Garcia, a
ties, including nearly 5,300 homes senior at Ridgway High School in
in Sonoma County. Enrollment is Santa Rosa, is enrolled in North Bay
rising in some classes, resulting in Construction Corps and is consid-
wait lists and expansion plans. Most ering a career in the building and
classes accommodate upward of two trades industry.
to three dozen students. She hopes to set an example for
The effort includes public and others, “because people think wom-
private sector programs, targeting en can’t do this kind of job,” said
young adults, dislocated workers Garcia, one of several students pro-
JOHN BURGESS / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
and those without jobs or seeking filed on a video about the program.
new careers. Kody Young stretches to nail a header for a doorway during a Sonoma County Adult Stephen Jackson, director of col-
Training includes shorter, ac- Education basic construction class in Santa Rosa. lege and career readiness with the
celerated programs to longer-term Sonoma County Office of Education,
instruction by building and trades building and trades industry. nonunion, he said. points to construction courses like
professionals. It can cover every- Eligible job seekers can pursue Alex Wirtz, 18, received his high those in place at Petaluma High
thing from construction basics to training programs while getting school diploma in March from School and Healdsburg High School,
safety measures, certification in support for child care and transpor- Youth Connections, a program of among others. About half of the
forklift and scissor lift operations, tation costs, equipment and uniform the Community Action Partnership county’s 15 public high schools have
first-aid and CPR training, plus fees and other expenses, as well as of Sonoma County. He completed wood shop or construction tech-
“soft skills” like teamwork and best support with resumes, cover letters the NextGen Trades Academy for nology courses, with state funding
practices for interviewing and land- and interviewing skills. Applicants underserved and homeless youth available for additional programs.
ing jobs or apprenticeships. can get such help through Sonoma earlier this year and was hired as a “It’s important for lots of folks to
Training providers also include County Job Link, the local employ- roofer by Letitia Hanke, academy know Career Technology Education
labor unions and courses through ment center. founder and owner/CEO of ARS is a really strong program,” said
local colleges, with majors in Larry Richmond Jr., a Windsor- Roofing, Solar and Electric. Wirtz Jackson, a CTE Foundation board
landscape design, construction and based general building contractor, doubled his previous income as a member. “The job market is grow-
trades specialties. Pre-apprentice- was involved last year with the dishwasher at a Santa Rosa restau- ing tremendously for the construc-
ship training programs are also on inaugural North Bay Construction rant and takes pride in his new tion industry. It’s an exciting career
offer. Corps program for high school work. for many young people and adults.”
Various county departments are seniors and currently works as a “To me, it’s a really cool thing Nancy Miller, director of Re-
working in unison to bolster the Sonoma County Office of Education that I’m helping the community as gional Adult Education Programs
effort. instructor teaching adult students. well,” he said. with Santa Rosa Junior College,
The Workforce Investment Board, “Our goal is to train students to Hanke, who offers the acade- said the need is universal across all
in partnership with the Human enter the workforce,” Richmond my through her nonprofit LIME construction trades and experience
Services Department Employment said. Working with industry part- Foundation and has partnered with levels in the North Bay. And voca-
and Training Division, received ners, students learn “what it would youth-based agencies, is enthusias- tional training doesn’t necessarily
$3.25 million in emergency funds take to make it in their business.” tic about helping employers, young preclude a college education, she
from the state Employment Devel- Qualified workers can land entry- job seekers and the community said.
opment Department to help workers level jobs paying from about $18 rebuilding effort. “We need managers as well as
impacted by the fires, and is prior- to $24 an hour, often with benefits, “Contractors are begging,” she laborers. It’s kind of all hands on
itizing existing funding to support depending on the specialty and said. “They always talk about how deck,” she said. “It’s also a call to
those interested in entering the whether the employer is union or difficult it is to find good people.” service for our community.”
NEED PAINT?
GO TO
A PAINT STORE!!!
The home of James and Sammie Lee burned during the Nuns fire in Kenwood, but a grape arbor somehow came through unscathed as did a workshop containing a classic pickup.
County, SR seeking
to streamline recovery
By GLEN MARTIN
FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
T
here aren’t many trees left on
Treehaven Court in Kenwood.
“It was like a fireball that
night,” said James Lee, pointing to
the Mayacamas Mountains to the
east. “It just blew down into the val-
ley and took out most of the houses
and everything else in this neighbor-
hood. We used to have a row of beau-
tiful redwoods along the driveway.
The only thing that’s improved is
our view of Sugarloaf.”
One structure on the property
owned by Lee and his wife, Sammie,
did survive: their workshop. Inside
its shadowed interior reposes a
beautiful jonquil yellow 1951 GMC
pickup. James had finished restoring
the truck shortly before the Nuns
fire broke out in October.
“We had left with our grand-
son with fire all around us,” said
Sammie Lee. “Our neighbors saved
this workshop by emptying their
swimming pool. It was incredibly
kind and brave of them.”
James shook his head at the recol-
lection.
“If we had lost that workshop, I
don’t know, I don’t think we would
be rebuilding,” he said. “We’re both
Builder Brian Cameron of Kaikaina Construction looks over building plans for a home Monday in the Fir Ridge neighborhood of
79. I’m not sure we’d have the heart
Fountaingrove in Santa Rosa. The home was razed during the Tubbs fire.
for it.”
But the couple does plan to re-
build, emphasized his wife. They’ve County and Santa Rosa city offi- law lost a home in the Coffey Park bility of some bumps in the per-
cleared the debris and resolved cials have sought to accelerate the blaze, concurred with Anderson mitting process, but emphasized
most of the geotechnical issues, as recovery from the most destructive about the helpful intent of PRMD public feedback generally has been
confirmed by a large divot marking wildfire in state history by stream- staffers, but maintained the agency’s favorable and that his staffers are
the site of their former home, where lining the permit process for people “interface” with an anxious and meeting their deadlines for five-day
toxic soil was removed. seeking to rebuild. The approach, for time-constrained public is less than turnarounds on permits. That’s all
“We’ve passed our soil tests, and the most part, is helping fire survi- ideal. predicated on applicants having
we’re working on our construction vors advance rebuilding projects and “In some ways it’s a matter of cul- their documents in order, Wick said.
plans,” said James Lee. “After that, reach their objectives more quickly, ture,” said Lawson, who has formed “We want people to know that
we have to get a contractor and according to residents with plans in a nonprofit group to help burned-out (regulators) and the engineering and
make sure we have enough money to the pipeline. homeowners connect with small contracting communities are work-
do what we want to do. It’s tough, be- “I can’t say enough about the contractors and lending institutions. ing closely together to make things
cause the cost of building materials good job the people here are doing,” “I’m designing two homes in Coffey happen as quickly as possible,” Wick
has skyrocketed since the fires, and said Robert Anderson, an architect Park and designing and building said. “As far as (fire victims) go, it’s
even the best contractors can only and a former Sebastopol mayor and a home on Bennett Ridge. Time is important that they come into the
give you a ballpark estimate. I was planning commissioner. “Being an money for me — I have very little of resiliency permit center even before
in construction for 35 years, and I’ve architect, I know my way around it to waste.” they have a home design so we can
never seen anything like this.” here, but I see them helping all these When he goes into the PRMD, also start helping them. We’re here to
The Lees have been heartened to people who come in without a clue called Permit Sonoma, Lawson says make things as easy for them as
some degree by initial visits to Sono- about what to do, people who never he often finds there are six permit possible.”
ma County’s Permit and Resource had to pull a permit before. The em- techs on duty, but “three are on Wick noted that permit issuance
Management Department, where a phasis is on expediting the process, computers, one’s talking to another tends to move in pulses, as evi-
“resiliency permit center” has been though it would be a mistake to agency official, two are on break — it denced by the regularly updated
established to help fire victims and think they’re giving away the farm. can be frustrating. I find, of course, statistics on the sonomacountyre-
their contractors work through the They’re telling people what they you can catch more flies with honey covers.org website.
complex and often daunting con- need and ensuring they receive their than vinegar, so I try to stay agree- “For example, some residents of
struction permit process. permits quickly once they’ve pro- able. But on the whole, I’d give them Mark West Estates may be going
“They seem to be doing a pretty duced the correct documentation.” a ‘C.’ ” with a group builder option, and
good job down there,” said James David Lawson, a Forestville con- Tennis Wick, the director of
Lee. tractor whose daughter and son-in- PRMD, acknowledged the inevita- TURN TO PERMITS » PAGE H14
H14 THE PRESS DEMOCRAT • SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2018
P
to individual builders.”
At this juncture, said Wick, the primary ermit Sonoma,
impediment to speedy permit approval the county’s
is a shortfall in qualified architects and planning and
engineers, especially geotechnical engi- building department,
neers. Most if not all of the nearly 5,300 has posted a series
homes that burned countywide will have of tips on its website
to go through a geotechnical review before about how to help
permit consideration, said Wick. speed up the appli-
“Given the shortfall in expertise, there’s cation and approval
only so much you can do,” Wick said. “Peo- process.
ple from outside geotech firms are coming Be complete: The
in, but they’re hampered by the fact that most important factor
our soil types are so diverse here. Typical- in shortening review
ly, geotechnical engineers are familiar only time is the complete-
with the soils in their own regions. Their ness of the plans,
work is specific to their locales, so it can be according to Permit
very hard for them to come in cold to a new Sonoma officials. Ap-
area and evaluate the geology and make plicants are advised
reliable recommendations for anchoring to review local zoning
homes to the earth.” and building code
David Guhin, the director of the Depart- KENT PORTER / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT regulations, and check
ment of Planning and Economic Develop- Plumber Ken Sousa lends a hand as concrete is poured for the foundation of his replacement home for any land use con-
ment for the city of Santa Rosa, said the in Larkfield Estates. The home was burned to the ground during the Tubbs fire. ditions that may apply
numbers confirm his agency’s success in to their parcel.
helping residents rebuild. Officials have Provide contacts:
targeted six fire-ravaged neighborhoods over the next few months. We’ll be bring- solutions. Cameron is working with an Applicants should
for expedited permit approval. During a ing on extra people to keep turnaround Oregon company to build homes from also make sure that
recent interview, Guhin logged on to the times in check. We have a hundred homes shipping containers. The techniques have Permit Sonoma
city’s reconstruction site (srcity.org/2675/ now under or ready for construction, and been highly refined, he said, and the homes knows who should be
Rebuilding) to check figures. More than we give their owners and their contractors can be constructed in modular fashion for contacted about the
3,000 of the burned homes were inside city the credit. They’re the trailblazers, and a fraction of the cost and time required for plan review (owner,
limits. they’ve helped us write the playbook that typical homes. He has applied for permits contractor, designer,
“This site is updated every 30 minutes,” we’ll use for the 2,900 homes that are going for one such structure. etc.) and how best to
Guhin said. “So right now we have 367 to follow.” “It’s for a house made from six contain- contact that person
homes in plan or review or under con- Up in Fountaingrove, Brian Cameron is ers, with three bedrooms and two baths,” (phone, email, etc).
struction. That’s about the same number building two of those homes — one for a he said. “But it was like hitting a wall. I Respond quickly:
of permits issued for all of last year. We’ve friend, and the second for his pal’s neigh- had plans drawn and submitted them, and When Permit Sonoma
been pulling out all the stops to make this bor next door. The foundations are in and it was 13 weeks before I got the markups employees comment
as seamless as possible for people, and I framing is about to commence. Cameron back. I redrew the plans according to the on a specific plan,
think we’ve been fairly successful.” — who juggles vocations as a contractor markups, and they threw it right back applicants should
Guhin said his agency must adjust to un- and a pilot for American Airlines — said at me. It’s clear they just want it all to go respond as quickly as
foreseen issues on a daily basis. Examples the two owners should be able to move into away. They say they want creative solu- possible. A pre-appli-
include jawboning bankers who balk at is- their new digs within 14 months. tions, but when you give them something cation meeting with
suing loans; adjusting established setback “As far as the permitting goes, it was a truly creative, they reject it.” the Permit Sonoma
rules to allow for the streamlined approval pleasure,” said Cameron as he switched Despite such conflicts, the progress on staff should be consid-
of updated home designs; and working generators to ensure the power tools of permits seems undeniable. And at the end ered, and applicants
up a temporary water filtration system to his crew were kept buzzing, howling and of each such paper chase, something pal- are advised to bring in
address Fountaingrove’s benzene contam- snarling. “I started these projects one week pable and precious awaits: a home, with all their draft plans and
ination problem, allowing homeowners after the fire. Two months later we had our the emotional power that implies. meet with staff mem-
to proceed with reconstruction while a plans finalized and we walked into (Santa Back on Treehaven Court, Sammie Lee bers in each cubical to
permanent solution is implemented. Rosa’s) resiliency center and presented watched a flock of cliff swallows soar and get initial feedback.
“We’re also encouraging innovative them. Five days later, we had their com- dip in the sky. For Permit Sono-
approaches, including manufactured ments back. We made the necessary addi- “I feel bad for them,” she said. “They’re ma planning and
homes and second units,” said Guhin. tions, resubmitted, and two days later our looking for their home. We had six bird- construction permit
“We’ve had some unexpected curves, and permits were ready. We have another proj- houses set up here, and every year they’d reports, go online to
we anticipate more of them. That said, the ect with the county, and that’s going well always go back to the same one to nest. sonomacounty.ca.gov/
367 homes now going through permitting too. Everybody has been super helpful.” Now, they don’t know what to do. But I’m PRMD/Permit-
represent 10 percent of all the homes lost Cameron does have one complaint, hoping we’ll all have a place to live here Reports/
in Santa Rosa from the fires, and we expect however, taking issue with county officials before too long. We just have to take it one
those numbers to increase dramatically who claim they are amenable to creative step at a time.” — Lorna Sheridan
707-544-9200
www.advancedsecurity.us
Stillwater seminars are meant to take the mystery out of building a new
home. Stillwater’s Co-CEO, Kaveh Khatibloo, will detail our design process
and how we’ve been assisting home rebuilding in the region. We will
also have experts on site to answer questions and provide information
regarding financing, kitchen/bath finishes, as well as builders who are
familiar with the Stillwater process.