HEALDSBURG, CA — Two years after Healdsburg approved a downtown tasting room that drew comments about traffic, parking, and the displacement of longtime businesses, the project is returning to the Healdsburg Planning Commission as a deadline for next step nears.
Commissioners on Tuesday will consider giving the 430 Foss St. project another year to move forward. The conditional use permit currently expires Sept. 24, 2026, and the applicant has requested another 12-month extension.
On Sept. 24, 2024, the Healdsburg Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a tasting room at 430 Foss St.
The project would convert the Garrett Ace Hardware storage building into a 1,220-square-foot tasting room for up to 45 people.
Rod Matteri and Carole Mascherini own the building and Garrett Ace Hardware stores in Healdsburg and Windsor. City records identify Storybrook LLC as the applicant.
The Foss Street location would have been the 28th wine-tasting room in Healdsburg at the time of the permit.
Plans call for the tasting room to operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with live music allowed Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. The permit also allows up to 20 events a year.
The larger project would renovate the building, add new facades along Foss Street and Healdsburg Avenue, and construct a second story with two apartments.
The Planning Commission approved the tasting room after residents raised concerns about traffic, parking, and pedestrian safety on Foss Street, a busy dead-end street.
Charlene Schnall, who lives across from the project, told commissioners at the time that trucks, RVs, and cars already back up on Foss Street throughout the day and questioned how additional wine deliveries would affect traffic, The Press Democrat reported at the time.
Commissioners said that public parking is available elsewhere downtown, including on North Street, at the West Plaza, and at the end of Foss Street.
The overhaul would affect three businesses operating under the same roof including Ramos Shoe Repair. The businesses likely would need to relocate because of construction required to convert the building into a tasting room and two apartments.
George Ramos, owner of Ramos Shoe Repair, said earlier this year that he had not been asked about the project, which, he said, would force him to close the shop.
The building dates to 1948 and has undergone few changes since then, other than facade alterations in 1961 and the more recent addition of corrugated awnings, according to a historical evaluation.
The Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit for the tasting room in 2024 but did not approve the building renovation plans at that meeting.
Healdsburg commissioners will consider allowing four annual events with 200 guests and amplified outdoor music at the Seghesio Winery.
Seghesio wants to bring amplified outdoor music and events with as many as 200 guests to its Grove Street property, returning to the Healdsburg Planning Commission after commissioners previously raised concerns about sound.
The Planning Commission will consider amending the winery's conditional use permit for 700 Grove St. The proposal would allow up to 28 winery-related events annually with a maximum of 125 guests, plus four larger events with as many as 200 people.
The four larger events would take place Saturdays or Sundays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and include Passport to Dry Creek and Zin & BBQ. Seghesio also wants to use amplified music in The Grove.
The Planning Commission approved winery events in November 2024, limiting attendance to 125 guests and allowing acoustic music. Seghesio later sought larger events and amplified outdoor music.
Commissioners considered those changes in September 2025 but continued the hearing and asked for more information about amplified sound. Seghesio withdrew the application the following month and later conducted a noise study.
City staff recommends limiting Seghesio to four large events annually with no more than 200 guests and 28 smaller events with no more than 125 guests. Events would remain subject to city noise, health and safety, and public welfare standards.
Staff also concluded that the winery's 120 parking spaces could accommodate the events. City rules require 67 spaces for an event with 200 guests.
Healdsburg Planning Commission
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chamber, 401 Grove St. and online
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