SVCAC gives support to Hanna changes
At its meeting on Feb. 24, the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission (SVCAC) gave a thumbs up to a major renovation being planned by the Hanna Boys Center.
Because of the scope of the project, the Arnold Drive facility, a residential program and school for disadvantaged youth, is asking Sonoma County planners for an amendment to their use permit.
At the SVCAC meeting, Mark Knoerr, a San Francisco-based architect, outlined the specifics of the project.
The proposal includes a re-alignment of the existing campus entryway, shifting the entrance about 25 feet to the south to be aligned with Agua Caliente Rd. Turn lanes would be included and designed to coordinate with a future plan to place a traffic light at that intersection.
An existing sports field adjacent to Arnold Dr. north of the entry would be replaced with an all weather synthetic field with bleachers.
A high school regulation baseball field will be constructed on the other side of the entry, also next to Arnold Dr., and also with bleachers.
There would be no lights for the fields.
The renovation also includes constructing a one-story replacement building that would function as a visitor center and for intake of new residents. The maximum height of this structure would be 23 feet.
A new one-story 8,950 square foot multi-use building would replace the current auditorium, and would have a maximum height of 34 feet.
Knoerr also described an extensive landscaping plan that would include planting 65 trees to help screen the fields from Arnold Drive.
SVCAC commissioners gave their unanimous support to the project, and recommended the county approve the use permit application.
“This looks like a wonderful project,” said commissioner Jeff Baptista. “It’s a great complement to the community.”
