Healdsburg To Vote On Measures H, G, I: Housing, Sales Taxes

HEALDSBURG, CA — Healdsburg residents who head to the polls Tuesday will vote on three ballot measures. Local Measure H will determine whether the city of Healdsburg's Growth Management Ordinance would be amended to allow a certain number of multi-family, income-restricted housing units to also be offered for sale, as the current GMO allows the units to be offered only as rentals.

Of the two countywide sales-tax increases, Measure G is a half-cent sales tax that would provide revenue for wildfire prevention and protection.

Measure I seeks to extend a quarter-cent sales tax that funds SMART — Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit — for another 30 years, through 2059.

Both county measures need approval by at least two-thirds of voters to pass.

MEASURE H

In order to pass, Measure H needs approval by a simple majority, not a two-thirds majority, of voters. The measure, which was placed on the ballot by the Healdsburg City Council, would amend the city's current voter-adopted Growth Management Ordinance — GMO — to allow up to 50 multi-family housing units per year to be offered for sale.

The city's GMO was initially adopted by voters in 2000 and limits the number of building permits the city may issue to an average of 30 per year, and no more than 90 building permits within a three-year period.

In 2018, Healdsburg voters amended the GMO to allow the city to issue an additional 50 building permits per year, on average, to multi-family, income-restricted rental units.

A yes vote on Measure H would allow these 50 units per year, on average, to also be offered for sale, as the current GMO calls for the units to only be offered for rent.

A no vote means the GMO as approved by voters in 2018 would not be amended.

In a ballot statement in support of Measure H, here is what Healdsburg Mayor Leah Gold and Healdsburg Vice Mayor Shaun McCaffery had to say, in part:

"Measure H will help the city of Healdsburg address the housing needs of families, our workforce, and older adults wishing to downsize and continue to live in Healdsburg. It will make possible a mix of market rate, affordable, and middle-income housing in future for sale developments. It does so while keeping in place all of our current affordable housing programs.

"In an effort to include more median-priced, multi-family units in future developments, Measure H seeks to allow the units approved in 2018 to be also offered for sale, as well as for rent. It does not increase the total number of units. The units must be offered at a price affordable for people
who earn up to 160% of Sonoma County’s average median income (AMI) per year. Currently, a family of four earning between $111,950 and $149,280 annually would qualify. The units will be funded entirely by developers, requiring no taxpayer funding or funds designated for affordable housing."

The mayor and vice mayor say Measure H, if approved by voters, would not authorize any additional units.

There were no arguments against Measure H submitted for publication on the ballot, according to the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters.

MEASURE G

Healdsburg stands to receive an estimated $786,000 per year of the $51 million in annual proceeds generated by Measure G.

That is because 90 percent — $45.9 million — of the county's annual revenue from Measure G would be divided among the Healdsburg Fire Department and the county's 37 other incorporated and unincorporated fire agencies.

The funds would go toward: recruitment and retention of firefighters; emergency alerts, warnings and sirens; wildfire prevention and preparedness, including vegetation management; fire response; and equipment and facilities.

More here about Measure G.

MEASURE I

A yes vote on Measure I would extend the tax another 30 years past its current expiration date of 2029, to 2059, while a no vote would prohibit SMART from extending the tax past March 31, 2029.

The tax was first approved by voters in Marin and Sonoma counties in 2008 and is said to generate around $40 million annually for SMART.

More here about Measure I.

CANDIDATE RACES

Here in Healdsburg, residents will also cast votes in races between:

• Democrat Jim Wood and Republican Charlotte Svolos for state Senate 2nd District; and
• Democrat Jared Huffman, American Independent Charles Wally Coppock, Republican Dale Mensing, Democrat Rachel Moniz and Green Party candidate Melissa Bradley.

Find a polling place.