Pent-up feelings over a proposed hotel in downtown Sonoma, and over an initiative that would curb such growth, spilled over at Monday’s City Council meeting. The council voted 4-1 to give City Manager Carol Giovanatto the authority to research consultants for help in preparing a report on the impacts of the proposed ballot measure, should proponents succeed in qualifying it for an election.

Sonoma’s city attorney on Monday released a summary of a proposed ballot measure that would limit hotel development in the city, including the controversial Chateau Sonoma & Spa proposed near the Plaza.

The city of Sonoma appears on the verge of acquiring a 98-acre hillside parcel that promises to open up sweeping vistas of the city to the public. But dog owners, long concerned with the transfer of the Montini Preserve to the city, say the latest terms of the deal still exclude them from bringing their pets on the property.

Faced with a public outcry, the Sonoma City Council on Monday unanimously overturned a decision by the Planning Commission and will allow Peet’s Coffee &Tea to open its first store in the city.

Sonoma’s City Council on Monday night unanimously rejected raising water rates by at least 25 percent over the next five years amid concerns that the city has not explored other options, including consolidating services with other water agencies to cut costs.

Sonoma’s City Council showed little support Monday night for reviewing the city’s policies on consuming alcohol in public to deal with unruly behavior at city-sponsored events.