Healdsburg 'vision plan' moves forward

A vision for how central Healdsburg should develop is emerging, almost two years after a committee was formed to study the city's main gateway.

Key elements of the plan include traffic roundabouts, a new southbound on-ramp to U.S. 101 on Westside Road, new streets, and pedestrian paths to connect to the Healdsburg Plaza.

"It's such a key portion of the town," Mayor Tom Chambers said of the "Central Healdsburg Entry Study Area," which extends north from the central freeway exit to the five-way intersection of Healdsburg Avenue, Mill and Vine streets.

Chambers said the property in the special study area is privately-owned for the most part, "but the city has a keen interest in how it's developed."

The study was launched because many parcels in the area are for sale or being contemplated for redevelopment, including the 12-acre Nu Forest Products lumber yard.

After a citizens' ad hoc committee was formed in 2009, consultants were hired to confer with property owners and run a series of community workshops and meetings.

The city's Redevelopment Agency approved a $500,000 contract with Community Design & Architecture of Oakland for a team of urban designers, economic specialists, sustainability and environmental experts, transportation and civil engineers to establish a vision and set of principles to guide development.

Recommendations that have emerged include roundabouts at the Central Healdsburg off-ramp on U.S. 101 and the five-way intersection on Healdsburg Avenue.

Other key elements that are likely to be part of a draft plan being prepared for presentation to the City Council and Planning Commission are:

-- Additional local streets within the Nu Forest site upon its development and potentially within the large block on the west side of Healdsburg Avenue.

-- A mixed-use emphasis along Healdsburg Avenue frontages.

-- Retention of some land suitable for larger employment-generating uses, primarily on the west side of Healdsburg Avenue adjacent to Highway 101.

-- A residential emphasis for properties closer to the train depot, based on the assumption that passenger train service will be re-established.

The city is putting out requests for a consultant to prepare an environmental impact report prior to the adoption of a plan.

An implementation strategy also will be developed with cost estimates for the components of the plan, along with a potential phasing schedule and financing plan.