The Accountable Development Coalition (ADC) is an alliance of local organizations working to ensure that development in Sonoma County is environmentally sustainable, equitable, and accountable to all segments of the community. We do this through grassroots organizing, policy research, and community education.

In September 2009, the Accountable Development Coalition and Sonoma Mountain Village signed Sonoma County’s first community benefits agreement (CBA). The agreement, reached after over two years of dialogue, provides guarantees that the benefits of the development will be extended to the surrounding community. Click here for a document containing a summary of the CBA’s specific provisions.

The Accountable Development Coalition has also recently released a Green Building Policies Best Practices Report. The report is a useful tool for cities and counties considering adopting or strengthening a green building ordinance. It is also a resource of community members or organizations advocating for their city to adopt green building policies. This report grew out of the ADC’s advocacy work in Santa Rosa for Green Building Policies that protect natural resources while keeping people healthier and more comfortable. In the coming months we will be working for similar policies across Sonoma County.

We are also advocating for policies that help create Livable Communities - places with mixed-income neighborhoods, where local, sustainable commerce thrives, where people have opportunities to be active and spend time outdoors, and where walking, cycling, or taking transit is a better option than getting in a car.

To join in this effort, read more about our current initiatives or donate to the Accountable Development Coalition.