Hello Windsor residents and friends of Windsor,
We are sorry for the late notice of this email. But tonight (Tuesday 9/13), the developer of the 360-unit Windsor Mill project will present his plans to the Windsor Planning Commission. This is the latest large-scale apartment complex proposed by Southern California developer Bob Bisno, slated to go up a couple of blocks south of the Town Green.
The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. But the Windsor Mill project is the second item on the agenda and discussion of that project may not occur until 6:30 p.m.
The meeting will be at
Civic Center Council Chambers, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building No. 400, Windsor, CA 95492
You can see the project's site plan here:
DEAD END ALLEYS AND LOSS OF COMMUNITY
1) One main concern is the several dead-end alleys in the project. This is in direct contradiction with the town's own Station Area Plan (which governs the Windsor Mill area) that was adopted in 2012.
Section 3.12 of that plan says:
"All streets and alleys shall connect to other streets and alleys to form a continuous vehicular and pedestrian network within the district and to adjacent development. Cul-de-sacs are prohibited."
The reason for this rule is simple. Windsor has been trying to build a walkable, community orientated downtown area for the past two decades. Windsor wants to have connected streets and alleys so that people can walk and feel welcome in those areas. It creates a sense of community.
When you have dead end alleys, as in this plan, the area begins to feel like a gated community where outsiders are not welcome.
You can read that Station Area Plan here:
POLICE AND FIRE CONCERNS
2) The police and fire departments also say they'll have a hard time responding to emergencies with the current design.
The town's staff report on this project says that since many of the alleys are not connected, it may take longer to get to people in their homes.
You can read that report here (The emergency services section is on page 9):
If you have any thoughts about this project, tonight is the time to tell the Planning Commisison.
Hope to see you tonight.
