Of course Healdsburg needs more "middle income" or "workforce housing," but this lifting of our voter-approved growth management ordinance along the Healdsburg Avenue Corridor is an extreme approach. Measure O provides neither assurances nor requirements that developers will actually build this so-called "Missing Middle" housing.
Why is our City Council choosing unlimited housing growth, requiring no annual growth limits, and allowing uncertain housing pricing on this two mile corridor of Healdsburg Avenue?
Transparency and trust are missing.
Why hasn't the City informed residents of its preferences for increasing zoning from 16 units to 45-65 units per acre in this corridor? What will be the impacts of such housing densities? How many units “could” be built? Any zoning changes made would not require a developer to build workforce/middle income housing. In fact, there is a higher likelihood developers will build more profitable luxury condos.
Our town is a small town, so why not start small? Why not approach this challenging goal of creating more middle-class housing units in a measured, directed manner? The unintended consequences of uncontrolled housing growth will forever affect the character, charm, and livability of our unique small town.
We support a modest, affordable growth plan in limited areas (such as the SMART train depot) with reasonable annual growth. More "guardrails" are needed to guide this important goal of creating housing for our vital working people, our middle-class families.
Without the How, we must Vote No on Measure O. Please visit: HealdsburgMeasureO.com