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	History | Our Community | Community Links | Statistics Our Community Local Government Sebastopol has a Council-Manager form of government, with five Council members elected at-large. The City has its own Police, Fire and Public Works departments, as well as other city departments. With a very low crime rate, Sebastopol remains among the safest cities in Northern California. Schools Sebastopol's public schools rank among the highest in the area in terms of student achievement, and also enjoy strong community and parent support. Housing There are a diversity of housing types in the Sebastopol area, ranging from 100-year old Craftsman bungalows and farmhouses to modern subdivisions, apartments and condominiums. In the countryside surrounding Sebastopol, properties with vineyards, apple orchards, redwoods, streams and other features are not uncommon. Home prices and rental rates tend to be higher than some other areas of Sonoma County. Agriculture The City is located in a region that produces the majority of the world supply of Gravenstein apples and more recently has become a significant grape-growing region for high quality wines. Sebastopol is also the gateway to the popular Russian River and coastal recreation areas. Recent Developments A new General Plan in 1994 set the stage for limited and carefully controlled growth. In 1996 the voters adopted an Urban Growth Boundary consistent with the General Plan. In the 1990’s several key new businesses were opened, including a multi-plex theater (reborn from an old apple brandy distillery) and two hotels. Two significant civic improvements also were developed: a Downtown Plaza, along with downtown streetscape improvements, and the first elements of the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetlands Preserve. In addition, faced with the planned closure of Sebastopol’s Palm Drive hospital, the community successfully banded together in a remarkable grass-roots effort to buy the hospital and keep it in operation. Future Progress Although future growth will be modest, Sebastopol is a dynamic community. The Sebastopol Community Center is in the early stages of planning for complete replacement and upgrade of its facilities to address flooding problems. And the City of Sebastopol is planning streetscape improvements to Gravenstein Highway South, and further additions to the Laguna de Santa Rosa Wetlands Preserve. Copyright © 2003-2005 City of Sebastopol. All rights reserved.