Saggio Hills critics threaten lawsuit as vote nears
Published: Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 8:35 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 8:44 a.m.
Healdsburg City Council members are getting tantalizing close to voting on Saggio Hills, the proposed luxury resort and housing development that has been the topic of more than 20 public hearings dragged out over a year.
On Wednesday, the City Council finally began deliberating the tentative agreement that spells out what the developers of Saggio Hills will provide for the city in exchange for approval of the 130-room, five-star hotel and 70 multi-million-dollar homes.
The council now is likely to vote on the project on Sept. 15, but there also is the prospect of a lawsuit by opponents.
On Wednesday one of the leading critics of Saggio Hills told The Press Democrat that the environmental impact report on the project is flawed and there is a likelihood it could be challenged in court.
“We’ve checked with attorneys who said ‘yes, the document is inadequate,’ ” said Warren Watkins, who heads up Healdsburg Citizens for Sustainable Growth, a group that has suggested the number of homes be drastically reduced. At the same time the group has said it is willing to accept the 130-room hotel to provide for the hefty boost in so-called bed-tax revenue that the city desires.
Tony Korman, one of the developers of Saggio Hills, said “if someone brings a lawsuit we will defend,” adding “we have bent over backwards in this thing to address any concern, any comment.”
Korman heads up the Saggio Hills Development Co. along with Robert Green who has built luxury hotels, including Four Seasons, in other parts of the state.
The developers believe the length of time the city has taken to vet the project in planning commission and city council hearings is unprecedented. The project also is planned on Healdsburg’s last big chunk of undeveloped land – a 259 acre parcel on the town’s northern fringe – and city council members say it’s important to get it right.
Vice-Mayor Jim Wood said Wednesday that there has been a tremendous amount of work by staff, the development team and the public, adding that the public “has had a huge impact on this project.”
“I’m not saying when it’s put together in final form it assures approval of the project,” he said, referring to the resolutions, draft ordinances and the environmental document for Saggio Hills the council likely will vote on at the next meeting.
Watkins expects the three council members eligible to vote (two have stepped aside due to potential conflicts of interest) will indeed approve Saggio Hills.
For one, the occupancy taxes from Saggio Hills – where rooms are projected to average $730 per night -- are likely to double the total bed tax revenue Healdsburg collects.
City officials have been struggling with a chronic budget deficit and see the resort as a way to capture more tourist tax dollars and feed city coffers.
The latest projection by city staff members shows that in fiscal year 2012-13, Saggio Hills will generate $2.8 million in “transient occupancy tax revenue.”
Supporters of Saggio Hills also like the 36-acre park site developers have agreed to donate along with 14 acres for affordable housing, about an acre for a fire substation and more than $5 million toward constructing various amenities.
But critics are concerned that approval of Saggio Hills will lead to excessive tourism and alter the character of Healdsburg.
Opponents say the project, with its “mega mansions,” will gobble up scarce resources.
“My lawn has gone dry and they’re asking us to cut back on our water use by 15 percent,” said Watkins adding that Saggio Hills will “use a lot water and energy while we are asked to conserve.”
Over the course of the 3.5 hour meeting Wednesday night, the City Council reached tentative agreement on about a dozen points related to the “development agreement.” They included:
-- To cut down on traffic through adjacent Parkland Farms subdivision – a major concern of residents in that neighborhood -- council members agreed there should be something in place to restrict vehicles when Parkland Farms Boulevard is extended to the Saggio Hills property. Retractable bollards, or a gate would be built when the street is extended. It would restrict through traffic to emergency vehicles, and possibly mail delivery and garbage pick-up.
-- At least 150 affordable housing units should be built as part of Saggio Hills approval although it will be up to the city to fund the construction and not all units need to be on the 14 acres the developer is donating. At least 30 percent of the affordable dwellings will be made available on a “right of first refusal” basis to employees of the resort-spa.
-- Reasonable efforts will be made to give Healdsburg residents the first opportunity to take jobs at the resort.
-- Residents of Saggio Hills will be subject to strong financial penalties and will have to plant replacements if they cut, remove or trim oak trees other than for fire safety. The measure is intended to keep the hillside homes from being visible from below.
-- A system of public trails will be built concurrent with the resort and dogs will be allowed subject to regular city guidelines.
-- A host of water and energy conserving building practices will be required.
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