Healdsburg Voters To Consider Workforce Housing Measure

HEALDSBURG, CA -- Healdsburg voters next month will decide Measure P, which would amend the city's growth management ordinance to allow the construction of up to 150 multifamily and income-restricted rental units over three years.

Voters passed the growth management ordinance Measure M in 2000.

It limited permits for the construction of new market-rate housing units to an average of 30 per year or up to 90 units in a three-year period.

The 150 multifamily and income-restricted units proposed under Measure P on the Nov. 6 ballot are in addition to the new residential units allowed under Measure M.

Multifamily rental units allowed under Measure P would be restricted to occupants who earn no more than 160 percent of the Sonoma County-area median income. Families of four generally earning between
$101,000 and $134,000 annually would be eligible.

Developers would be required to agree with the city of Healdsburg on that income restriction.

Measure P requires majority approval to pass.

The Healdsburg City Council's resolution to put Measure P on the ballot noted the shortage of workforce and "missing middle" income housing in Healdsburg and in Sonoma County after the wildfires last year.

Healdsburg City Councilman Shaun McCaffery said Measure P also would help the city's older residents who want to downsize their homes but remain in Healdsburg.

McCaffery said the existing Measure M makes no allowances for multi-family dwellings, inherently favoring single-family homes and luxury housing.

He said developers appear receptive to Measure P, but it will still take further action by the City Council to get the housing built.

"I'm very hopeful about it passing," he said.

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