Cotati schedules public meeting on roundabout plan

Cotati has planned a public question-and-answer session focused on the city's plan to change the design of its downtown.

The plan has become a hot political issue in Cotati, where businesses on the main commercial strip have posted signs opposing a proposal by the city to narrow Old Redwood Highway and install two roundabouts.

City officials seem to favor the roundabout plan. But they have also developed one without roundabouts that would maintain four lanes but add a median.

Oliver's Market, which has plans to relocate its store to a downtown shopping center it would develop, has objected to the roundabouts.

The company, one of Cotati's biggest employers, has said it wants the city to consider an alternate proposal. It has said it will not pursue its downtown project if the roundabout redesign is approved.

The public meeting, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, will include a staff presentation followed by a question-and-answer period. Citizen comments will be limited to three minutes, City Manager Dianne Thompson said.