Healdsburg residents voted overwhelmingly in 2000 to pass an ordinance to limit annual housing growth. Residents were asked to lift these restrictions in 2016, and once again, overwhelmingly voted to keep housing growth limitations in place. With Measure O, Healdsburg residents are now being asked again to lift all annual growth restrictions for multi-family housing in areas that include the Healdsburg Avenue corridor and 88 acres of riverfront property by Memorial Bridge. Healdsburg cannot sustain such growth. This would add to traffic, reduce parking and further tax our already limited resources, such as water. The measure would also change the small-town character of Healdsburg as it excludes any single-family housing to be built in the designated areas yet allowsunlimited ultra-luxury condos.
Every city in Sonoma County is struggling with how to deal with affordable housing, and Healdsburg is no exception. Don’t be confused by politicians and special interest groups promoting Measure O. The measure contains no actual growth plan. Much time was spent just working on the verbiage to make it attractive to voters. Don’t be conned by the claim of “middle-class, workforce housing.”
Healdsburg is building. We have received this year’s Prohousing Designation from the State of California. In the past year, Healdsburg has started construction, or completed over 300housing units at the Mill District project, Enso Village and a 30-unit apartment complex by Memorial Bridge. We also have the 58-unit Dry Creek Commons and two hotels awaiting to break ground. Measure O will not guarantee affordable housing, but it will guarantee large scale development. The Syar property on the river could be the site of over 1,400 multi-family units. Healdsburg needs to use its open space to better serve the existing community. Please vote No on O.