Page 35 - Sonoma County Gazette December 2017

Beginning this month the Healdsburg Coalition takes a turn writing the monthly community column. Thanks to those who came before us for representing Healdsburg well and to Vesta for this opportunity to highlight monthly issues especially pertinent to our local community.
Downtown Windsor is full of activity during December.
The Healdsburg Coalition is an alliance of local organizations and individuals. Together we work to build an equitable and resilient community; as well as a socially and economically vibrant one. We welcome all groups and individuals who share an interest in enriching and strengthening the weave of Healdsburg’s social fabric, so to speak. We support civil dialogue so an informed and engaged citizenry can in uence public policy that bene ts the entire community. Our aspirations include a collaborative decision-making process between community and local government.
It all begins at the end of November when 200 half wine barrels show up on the Town Green and construction of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove begins. The barrels come rst then the week long chore of installing electricity to each barrel. That is a big job, but goes swift with the expertise of the Town
of Windsor electrical experts. The next weekend 200 fresh cut trees arrive from Washington and a new group of volunteers install the trees and stands on to the half barrels. The nishing touch is one red ornament added to the top of each tree to remind us of the original Charlie Brown tree. The Grove is ready for all the individuals, families, service groups and businesses who have adopted a tree to come and decorate. Volunteer opportunities are needed for help at the Grove, sign up at people4parkswindsor.org.
Two issues Stand Out this Month: An Urgency Ordinance Responding to a Critical Need for Housing; and the Community SDAT Application
Tree adoptions took a little longer this year to sell out, folks just weren’t ready to think about the Holidays yet. As of press time all 200 trees were adopted, with over 50 of them decorated by local classrooms and clubs. All the grammar school kids will be working over the next couple weeks hand making all their ornaments. Then on Sunday, December 3rd everyone gathers for Community Decorating Day at 2 pm. It is a wonderful day where you see families working together young and old. Grandpa is sitting at the picnic table repairing ornaments with his needle nose pliers, Dad is taking care of decorating the top of the tree and the kids are running back and forth installing the ornaments
The Urgency Ordinance relaxes code restrictions to provide additional housing in the City. This two-year-long amendment to our Land Use Code, encourages local support in meeting the housing crisis compounded by countywide loss of housing to recent wild res. Both housing options relating to habitable vehicles and Accessory Dwelling Units have been amended.
Wheeled vehicles: Temporary use of camper trailers, motorhomes, tiny homes on wheels... may be occupied on residential driveways and industrial/ commercial/institutional parking lots. Criteria in the ordinance must be met.
as Grandpa gets them ready. Many make a day of it and bring picnic baskets, wine, tools, everything they will need to create the tree they imagined.
ADUs Size Limits Expanded and ‘Garage Conversions’ Allowed
The Windsor Farmers Market nal Market of the season is that same Sunday December 3rd from 10-1. This is your last chance to buy your favorite preserved foods, treats and gifts from your local farmers, food producers and artists before gift giving time is here. Gifts from the Farmers Market are the best, you know what you are getting and the person who made or grew it is there to answer any questions you might have. The Windsor Chamber of Commerce will be there with Mimosas and Bloody Marys and there are brunch and BBQ choices you can purchase and eat in the park. The Town of Windsor is also planning a Ribbon Cutting for the installation of the new Timeline Walk across the middle of the Town Green. It will be sometime during the Market, 10-1. A few of the vendors will be staying after the Market closes to o er Kettle Korn, drinks and roasted chestnuts to tree decorators.
• ADUs size limits are increased to 850 square foot for residential lots 6,000 square feet or larger.
• Converting an existing garage to an ADU without providing additional covered parking is now allowed. Building Code related requirements must be met. This will be allowed beyond the 2-year ordinance duration.
To Learn More about the Urgency Ordinance: Search Healdsburg Ordinance No. 1169 or contact the Healdsburg Planning Department (707)431-3348
From R/UDAT to SDAT: A Sustainable Community Vision
Then: In 1982, seeking direction for Healdsburg’s economic future the community applied for R/UDAT’s assistance and was accepted. The “R/ UDAT,” Rural Urban Design Assistance Team, was sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) who put together expert teams of volunteers— including planners, economists, urban designers, landscape and building architects—speci c to each unique community project.
All the trees have to be completely decorated by Wednesday night December 6th at 5 pm. Thursday is clean-up day and time to get ready for the Annual Town of Windsor Holiday Celebration coming up that night, December 7th from 5-8 pm. There will be wagon and train rides, kids can make crafts and decorate cookies, there will be hot food and treats available from local WHS Boosters, Minestrone soup from the Farmers Market and meat pies and cook- ies from local bakeries, BurtoNZ Bakery and Cookie...take a bite! Local youth performers le on and o the stage singing with Holiday cheer all the music they have been working on for the last few weeks. Mr. & Mrs. Santa arrive just before 7 and Snoopy will be there to help light the giant decorated Christmas Tree with 1000’s of bright colored lights. This annual event is a big kick-o to what is sure to be one of the most thankful Holiday seasons of the decade.
The team came, listened and worked with local citizens, community stakeholders and decision-makers in an intense 3-day, whole community, planning process resulting in the highly successful “blueprint” that lead to developing our world class wine tourism destination.
The summary report is a fascinating 32-page document. Search online for “Healdsburg R/UDAT.” The cautions are also instructive.
Now: Today, 35 years post R/UDAT, citizens and councilmembers ask, “Is it time to update our vision? What’s our next step in honoring our success while ensuring a resilient, sustainable and a ordable town in the future?”
Visit the Town Green and Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove through the whole month of December. There is live Holiday music ringing through the Sycamore trees, lights galore and it SNOWS nightly at 5:30 and 7:30.
Last May, 120 citizens including local government representatives attended the Sustainable Tourism Forum hosted by the Healdsburg Coalition to discuss those challenges in an open process. This was an example of the community mobilizing itself toward making collaborative decisions. Participants who were familiar with the 1982 AIA report asked, “could we ask the R/UDAT to return with their impartial team of experts and no skin in the game, to help us tackle today’s complex economic and environmental challenges?”
Bring the whole family, come early and have burgers at KC’s American Kitchen, re grilled pizza at KIN, awesome sh and chips at The Publican or choose one of Windsor’s many top notch Asian restaurants. If you time it right you can catch both the 5:30 and 7:30 Snow times.
It turns out that R/UDAT has morphed into SDAT (Sustainable Design Assessment Team), o ering a crucial sustainability component. From the AIA website, “The SDAT program helps communities develop a vision for a sustainable future and a realistic, attainable roadmap to get there.”
The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove is produced by People4Parks Windsor. They are a local non-pro t group of leaders dedicated to improving Windsor parks. Their rst project was raising funds for the new Windsor Town Green playground, completed last Fall. This is their 3rd year producing the event, taking it on after long time organizers, Karen Alves and Michael Powell retired. Make a point to come visit Old Downtown Windsor this Holiday season, it will be a wonderland of decorated trees, icicle lights and good cheer.
If you search for “AIA SDAT” you’ll nd descriptions and samples of many community projects, including those in Sebastopol, Windsor and Santa Rosa
Key to SDAT success: “All strategies are developed in collaboration with
your community. Our teams listen to diverse voices and respond to your specific strengths and challenges.” If the AIA selects Healdsburg in 2018, who knows but Healdsburg may become a “demonstration” town for Sonoma County on how to grow forward in a regenerative, and therefore, sustainable manner.
This is the year to shop local, don’t forget your farmers markets and small family owned businesses for the best in local fare and customer service you won’t nd online.
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