Split Council Shelves Downtown Entertainment Zone; Streets Contract Advances

Windsor's downtown open-container idea hit a wall Tuesday. A four-member Town Council split down the middle on a state-enabled entertainment zone, and Town Manager Jon Davis concluded there was no consensus to move forward. The council did act unanimously elsewhere: it approved a $956,637 design contract and a $7.65M grant appropriation for Old Redwood Highway sidewalks and bike lanes. Members also pressed Sonoma County Transit to protect bus access to Walmart and Raley's.

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• Downtown entertainment zone shelved after council splits 2-2 on SB 969 options
• $956,637 GHD design contract approved 4-0 for Old Redwood Highway complete streets
• $7.65M in state grant funds appropriated, at no net cost to the town, staff say
• Council pushes back on transit cuts to Walmart and Raley's stops
• Safe Routes to School plan targets protected bike lanes and roundabouts near six schools

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Entertainment Zone Stalls on a Split Council

The basics: State law SB 969 took effect Jan. 1, 2025. It lets cities create zones where licensed businesses sell drinks to go for consumption on streets and sidewalks. Participation is voluntary, and state rules bar glass or metal containers.

Why it matters: The debate tested how far Windsor will go to help struggling tasting rooms while protecting its family-friendly image. It also comes as a general fund deficit and a tax measure raise pressure for economic development ideas.

Where things stand: Economic Development Manager Tim Ricard compared zones in Santa Rosa, San Francisco and smaller cities. He laid out five options: keep the status quo, activate a zone only during events, run a weekend pilot, combine weekends and events, or allow a daily zone. Staff surveyed 157 downtown businesses, but few answered.

"7 businesses responded. 6 of the 7 really supported the idea," said Tim Ricard, Economic Development Manager.

The other side: Three public commenters weighed in. One strongly opposed the zone as risky for a family-friendly town. She cited loitering, the low survey response and the problem of shops that lack liquor licenses. Jody Piscatello proposed a different zone on an 11-acre site between the Town Green and the Beverage District, pitching it as a way to attract developers and build a food-and-beverage destination. Kay Marquez asked about that land proposal and urged keeping events focused on Windsor businesses. She said she disliked the idea of people guzzling drinks before shopping.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council divided evenly. Mayor Rosa Reynoza favored a second round of business surveys and the event-only option. Vice Mayor Tanya Potter backed a six- to 12-month pilot under either the event-only or the weekend-plus-events option.

"I am for a pilot to try something like this, and if it doesn't work, then we close it down," said Tanya Potter, Vice Mayor.

Two members wanted no change. "I'm for number 1, status quo," said Sam Salmon, Councilmember. Councilmember Mike Wall agreed: "I would be in favor of option 1 at this point."

"I'm not hearing a consensus from council to move forward with this project at this time," said Jon Davis, Town Manager.

The council took no motion and no vote. Tasting rooms and other licensed businesses seeking a to-go option will not see an ordinance soon. Residents worried about downtown's character keep the status quo. Councilmember JB Leep was absent, so his view could matter if the idea resurfaces.

What's next: The idea will sit for now. It could return with a new council.

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Old Redwood Highway Design Contract Clears 4-0

Why it matters: Grant money will bring sidewalks, bike lanes and bus stops to a 0.7-mile stretch of Old Redwood Highway between Arata Lane and Windsor Road. The catch is that construction costs remain unknown.

Where things stand: Senior Civil Engineer Alejandro Pérez said the town partnered with Burbank Housing, the Kashaya Band of Pomo Indians, SMART and Sonoma County Transit on a 2023 application to the state's Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program. The application won $19.97M, and the town's share is about $7.65M.

The project would add:

• Class 4 protected and buffered bike lanes
• About 5,000 linear feet of sidewalk
• ADA ramps
• Five bus stops

GHD Inc. scored highest among five proposals. "We think that'll be a net change to the town of $0," said Alejandro Pérez, Senior Civil Engineer.

The other side: Councilmember Salmon flagged risk on the cost side. "We've been surprised with construction costs, and I just want folks to know that we don't know the cost of this at this point," said Councilmember Salmon.

"Our expectation would be to adjust the scope of the project to the budget," said Shannon Kadula, Public Works Director.

Vice Mayor Potter asked staff to protect connectivity if the scope shrinks. "We don't want to have sidewalk all the way down and not have it connect to the town green," said Vice Mayor Potter. Staff said a continuous sidewalk could be considered during design.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Potter moved the item, and Salmon seconded. The motion did three things: it added and prioritized the project in the FY2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program, amended the FY2026-27 budget to appropriate $7.65M in AHSC funds, and approved the $956,637 GHD agreement. The vote was For: 4 (Reynoza, Potter, Salmon, Wall), Against: 0, Absent: 1 (Leep). No one spoke during public comment.

Pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders along the corridor stand to gain. They also face the most risk if rising costs force cuts.

What's next: Design begins now, with construction targeted for 2027-2028. The final scope depends on engineer's estimates.

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Council Defends Walmart, Raley's Bus Access

Why it matters: Walmart is Windsor's top sales tax location, and the bus links older adults and disabled residents to groceries. That puts both equity and revenue at stake in the route changes.

Where things stand: Sonoma County Transit Manager Emily Betts presented MASCOTS Phase 2. It is a joint plan with Santa Rosa CityBus and Petaluma Transit to cut duplicated service and feed SMART trains. For Windsor, the plan would:

• Suspend Route 62
• Retime Route 60 and keep it on Old Redwood Highway, skipping Walmart
• Add a Route 60X express from the Windsor SMART station
• Move the Route 66 stop from the Raley's parking lot to the Lakewood curb

Betts said riders could still reach Walmart by transferring to Route 66. "The distance between the stop on Old Redwood Highway and the Walmart stop is half a mile, so it's about a 10-minute walk," said Emily Betts, Transit Manager, Sonoma County Transit.

The other side: Resident Betsy Mouse opposed both changes. She cited the safety of the parking-lot path and the burden on riders carrying groceries.

"I think the biggest concern that I had and kind of the red flag was the stop at Walmart," said Councilmember Salmon.

Vice Mayor Potter objected to moving the Raley's stop "because I do know we have disabled persons in town who ride to Raley's because it is close." Mayor Reynoza stressed Walmart's role in sales tax, calling it "a very important revenue location for us."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council gave feedback only and took no vote. Betts offered to check the Raley's pathway. She also said Windsor could use new grant money to choose between bidirectional Route 66 service or longer service hours.

What's next: Transit staff may revise stop placements before the planned Feb. 14 launch.

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Safe Routes Plan Eyes Six Windsor Schools

Senior Planner Margo Cañas of the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities presented a planning effort funded by a 2023 federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. It covers six of Windsor's eight schools.

The concepts include:

• A protected bike lane on Windsor Road
• A Jaguar Way path
• Buffered lanes on Windsor River Road
• Roundabouts at Brooks Road South intersections

"We are going to install Class 4 protected bicycle lanes from Ryman Up to the Windsor High School entrance, as well as we're going to put in a modular roundabout," said Margo Cañas, Senior Planner. A pop-up demonstration of that roundabout is planned for May 2027.

Councilmember Salmon asked how the Jaguar Way vehicle bridge decision was made. He also raised pickup and drop-off effects at Brooks and Foothill and crosswalk use near senior housing.

Why it matters: Concept plans and cost packages position Windsor to compete for design and construction grants. Cañas said school engagement and cost packages are coming next.

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Minor Items

• Consent calendar passed 4-0 (Leep absent): Items included Sept. 16 minutes, a Client First amendment, a Trojan Technologies purchase order, Fiona Thompson's youth appointment to the Public Art Advisory Commission, and an Aragon Construction change order for Old Redwood Highway paving.
• Proclamations: The council recognized Filipino American History Month, United Against Hate Week, Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Former Mayor Deborah Fudge, a survivor, urged: "I would urge everybody to never miss a mammogram." Mick Menendez, Vice Chair of the Board, YWCA Sonoma County, noted the group's 50th anniversary and more than 3,000 annual hotline calls.
• Measure J criticism: Resident Kevin Scanlon urged a no vote on Windsor Unified School District's bond. He cited the Windsor Creek Elementary property, phonics removal and compensation decisions.
• Voting and services: Voting at town hall runs Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, with a drop-off site at the Bluebird Center. Asposti Park playground construction is underway, and a Red Cross shelter drill will set up as many as 270 beds.
• Council reports: Vice Mayor Potter said airport noise complaints must now go through a portal. Salmon reported on the Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Agency and the North Sonoma County Air Pollution District. The meeting closed in memory of former interim Town Manager Mark Linder.

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Looking Ahead

Mayor Reynoza asked for future discussions on a taco truck pilot and Flock cameras. Councilmember Salmon requested business input on the planned Healdsburg SMART station. Watch for the transit changes' Feb. 14 launch and the May 2027 roundabout demonstration near Windsor High School.