Hotel concerns
EDITOR: The hotel issue was shelved (rightfully in my opinion) while the city council tackled a proposed GMO amendment and other housing concerns. But thanks to the leadership of Mayor Mansell, hotel limits will be taken up once again on Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. at city hall.
Here’s the latest:
Hotel Trio and the H3 hotel (Harmon Guest House) are now accepting reservations for a combined 161 hotel rooms. These are to be added to the already 389 rooms available. An increase of over one-third, happening right now. In a few years, the Montage resort (formally Saggio Hills), Replay resort and the North Village (these projects are all inevitable) will add a combined 308 rooms, as they are presently envisioned.
Still, the door remains open for even more hotels. How will they impact traffic, housing, water/sewer? Perhaps more importantly, how will they impact our downtown as a commercial hub that should, ideally, serve locals and tourists alike? And will tourists want to continue coming to Healdsburg after our the small town charm that appeals so deeply to city-weary visitors, has become choked out by tourist-centric businesses?
The city council has several tools that they can employ:
1) Geographic limits. Limiting new hotels around the Plaza, from the downtown area or citywide.
2) Size limits. Room limits that the council can determine (maybe 10 rooms max?).
3) Inclusionary Housing. New hotels must provide housing options for their employees or contribute to municipal affordable housing funds (like we see at Hotel Trio — thank you.)
4) Downstairs Retail. A requirement for retail space to be included in new buildings, hotel rooms upstairs.
5) Require free downtown shuttles for hotels outside walking distance from downtown (like we see at Hotel Trio — thanks again).
6) Require on-site parking for guests (already required).
Conditions like these can play an important role in safeguarding retail opportunities downtown for both entrepreneurs and local shoppers. We can prevent our downtown from being further engulfed and overwhelmed by an enterprise that our limited infrastructure may be unable to contain. Please join me at city hall on Monday, Aug. 20 and make your voice heard.
Chris Herrod
Healdsburg
Has Cerri bombed?
EDITOR: I just got back from the first SDAT meeting. On my post-it for using my 1,000 volunteers I wrote … “I would finish the Cerri Building and get the farmers’ market their home.”
When I wrote that, I had not heard that the council does not feel the Cerri Building and the farmers’ market are a priority any longer. I have not quite gotten my head around that news. I thought it was a done deal — we worked, we filled chambers, we compromised — and results were attained.
The site was going to be made a home for the market, great ideas of closing North Street, an event space away from the plaza and there would be parking. What were all our meetings about — the open houses? Folks, if you still think it is still a priority, then let this council know. Not really concerned about 2040 any longer — I am concerned about 2018-2019.
Beth Sawatsky
Healdsburg
