The Healdsburg Planning Commission met twice last week, once to approve two subdivisions and again to discuss firearms sales.
Subdivision approvals
On March 13, the commission approved a “cottage court” subdivision on Kennedy Lane that will include five small homes and three granny units. If approved by the Healdsburg City Council, the project will be called “Riverhouse.”
The commission also approved plans for “The Oaks at Foss Creek,” a 29-unit subdivision on Chiquita Road near Grove Street. The final subdivision map will also have to be approved by the city council.
Gun shops
The next evening, March 14, the planning commission met to discuss changing the city land use code to disallow firearms dealers in certain zones.
This item came up because a Windsor man proposed to open a firearms store on North Street in the downtown area.
The city council first imposed an urgency moratorium to prevent the plan and charged the city planning staff with coming up with a plan that would not allow firearms dealers in the downtown area but clarify that they would be allowed in industrial zones of the city.
The planning commission approved the staff recommendations with minor modifications and the city council will discuss the matter in May.
North area plan
Next week, the city will host an open house to introduce the “North Area Plan.”
The 32-acre former lumber mill property at the north end of Healdsburg has been purchased by Comstock Healdsburg LLC, led by Bob Comstock, who proposes a “self-sustaining community” that would include a 274-unit senior care facility, 60 apartments, 40,000 square feet of commercial space and a 120-room boutique hotel.
The property’s current zoning allows this type of development, but the city’s general plan requires that the area first be subject to an “area plan” that allows Healdsburg residents and neighbors to weigh in on the best use of the land.
An open house will be held on Wednesday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Healdsburg City Hall followed by a Healdsburg Planning Commission discussion of the plan at 7 p.m.
Roundabout update
The good news about the roundabout project is that, despite the recent rains, the contractor has finished installing the railroad tracks.
The not-so-good news is that traffic is still a challenge. In order to complete the paving of the east section of Mill Street, the multi-stop sign configuration will stay in place for a few weeks.
Motorists who want to head north on Healdsburg Avenue will have to drive up Vine Street instead and turn right on Matheson Street to get to the Avenue.
According to Healdsburg Public Works Director Larry Zimmer, the latest projected completion date for the project is September.
Housing costs
On Monday night, the Healdsburg City Council heard two reports, one from Sonoma State University economist Robert Eyler, who told the council that the Healdsburg economy is more balanced and diverse than a tourist-packed downtown would lead one to believe.
The second report, the results of a $30,000 survey of Healdsburg residents, showed a high level of satisfaction from survey respondents on the topics of whether they are satisfied with city services and the quality of life.
Both reports cite the high cost of housing as significant barriers to the economic and social wellbeing of the community. See next week’s Tribune for a more in-depth story on the survey and the economy.
