Bringing it to light
EDITOR: This is a response to the letter of June 15 to the editor titled “Dismayed.” I want to thank Julie Kennedy for understanding the long-term effects of the Healdsburg Planning Commission and City Council’s decision to grant a CUP, a Conditional Use Permit, to the owner of 222 Healdsburg Avenue. Julie Kennedy brings to light what is happening to our town.
I was the one that brought the appeal before the city council opposing the proposed tasting room(s) inside Paul Mahder Gallery. I stood in front of the council feeling that I was the only person that understood what Paul Mahder was trying to do, multiple “tasting rooms” with at least six separate winemakers.
CUPs run with the land. The landowner of 222 Healdsburg Avenue just increased his property value and we now have a high concentration of alcohol on the first block after we successfully navigate our publicly funded, over-budget roundabout.
To be clear, Paul Mahder’s gallery was not just an art gallery. It has been an event venue for artist receptions, concerts, theater productions and it is offered as an exclusive event center for wedding rehearsal dinners, from the current website. Mahder already has an ABC license to serve alcohol.
Mr. Mahder is already allowed, and has been, selling Grapeseed wines, by the glass and the bottle since being granted his ABC license more than a year ago. But his rent was raised, he could not afford this large space and he needed another business model. Mahder Gallery was allowed (by our city council) to bring in tasting groups with multiple tasting areas.
Only one council member opposed the CUP for these new tasting rooms; she was clearly unable to move a room that resembled a uniformed emotionally charged, unruly response to a serious citizen’s concern about land use and planning and vision for our downtown’s front door step.
As I stated to the city council, I am 100 percent supportive of the arts. I, myself, attended an art school and my grandson is attending an art school in Santa Fe. This decision was not about supporting the arts. Thank you again Julie Kennedy for your concern about our town.
Ken Buchignani
Healdsburg
Plenitude
EDITOR: Summer has spread itself over the county once more, and with it comes the bounty of our extraordinary farming communities. I am especially delighted that the Wednesday afternoon market here in town is open again. Right next to the Cerri Building, it is perfect for midweek shopping. With easy parking and an abundance of produce, crafts, fish, olives and olive oils, it is a wonderful opportunity to stock up, as well as to get to know the people who produce our foods. There is a more leisurely pace to our midweek market, and I urge all of my friends and neighbors to take advantage of its exceptional plenitude.
Barbara Médaille
Healdsburg
