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The city of Sebastopol in Sonoma County banned chain businesses from its downtown district, yet a Little Caesars was recently approved in that area.

City officials acknowledged an error that allowed the pizza chain to open an outlet.

For years, this scenic Russian River Valley enclave has worked to foster a community supportive of local businesses, in part, by making it difficult for large chains to move in.

In 2018, Sebastopol leaders created an outright ban of certain chain businesses — particularly restaurants and hotels — from its downtown.

But this month, one of the nation’s largest pizza chains plans to open up in that exact downtown area — much to the concern, and surpri

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