The “Central Healdsburg Entry Study Area” is the corridor most frequently used by visitors to Healdsburg and it is an area where many people form their first impression of the City. To create a more fitting vision for the area, the City is undertaking a planning effort guided by an ad hoc committee made up of one Councilmember, two Planning Commissioners and two members-at-large. The committee has held open meetings for over a year to formulate the plan with the assistance of a consultant team. One major component of the planning process has been the community outreach effort, which seeks to be as inclusive as possible, utilizing such methods as informational flyers in utility bill mailings, “storefront displays” along with “open houses” at various locations, a neighborhood meeting held within the Area, the use of a website which includes all documents and reports presented at the meetings, surveys, and Community Forum presentations intended to get all players on the same page. Two Community Workshops were also held, with the first attracting over 100 persons to participate in a hand on visioning exercise.

The consultant team is currently preparing a draft for public review and comment, along with an implementation strategy that will include cost estimates for the various components within the Plan, a potential phasing schedule, and a financing plan. Once completed, environmental review will begin, followed by formal review and adoption by the City Council. In the end, the City will have a blueprint on how to effectively rejuvenate the area and increase its attractiveness to residents and visitors alike.