The Healdsburg City Council will consider revisions to the city’s rules about alcohol-serving establishments at its August 7 meeting.
The most significant change to the ordinance will establish a formal rule of no more than one tasting room per block face in the downtown area. This has been an informal rule for many years, but the city has allowed multiple exceptions to the rule.
According to a city staff report on the matter, the downtown area has 30 wine tasting rooms, seven bars and many restaurants that serve alcohol. Out of 34 block faces, 22 already have tasting rooms.
The revised ordinance would reduce the potential for new tasting rooms by preventing six block faces along Piper and East streets from permits for tasting rooms, since those blocks adjoin residential areas.
At the council meeting, the council will also consider a bid to construct a new parking lot north of Healdsburg City Hall, where the Kiwanis Christmas Tree lot is now. The new, 70-space lot could still accommodate the tree lot under the current plan.
The meeting will be the first in the remodeled city council chambers. The remodel included improved acoustics and sound system, new carpet and a new project screen that would allow the public to better view presentations. The remodel also includes the capacity to stream video of the council meetings via the internet.
The August 7 meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Healdsburg City Hall, 401 Grove Street.
