Windsor Needs More Revenue

If Windsor Needs More Revenue Today, How Can It Support Hundreds More Homes Tomorrow?

At multiple public meetings, Town of Windsor officials have shared a consistent message: the Town needs additional revenue to maintain essential municipal services.

In fact, the Town is asking voters to consider a new local sales tax this November. According to Town officials, the additional revenue would help fund police, public safety, and other critical community services that have already been reduced due to budget limitations.

As a Windsor resident, I actually support this measure.

Strong public services benefit everyone, and many neighboring communities already have similar local taxes in place.

But that support raises an important question.

If the Town is already struggling to fund services for the residents who live here today, why would it continue approving hundreds of additional high-density housing units before ensuring the infrastructure and public services can support that growth?

This isn't simply about one project.

More than 100 homes are already under construction on Armando Renzullo Way, adjacent to the Windsor Creek property. Another approved residential development is planned at the end of Old Oak, connecting to the same neighborhood.

Now, the proposed Windsor Creek project would add approximately 360 apartment and condominium units to that same area.

That is a tremendous amount of growth concentrated into one neighborhood.

This Isn't About Opposing Housing

Let's be clear.

Many residents—including those supporting Save Windsor—are not opposed to housing for school employees, affordable housing, or subsidized workforce housing.

What many residents oppose is the continued approval of large, high-density developments without a comprehensive plan for the infrastructure and public services needed to support them.

Growth should be thoughtful.

Growth should be planned.

Growth should happen at a pace the Town can sustain.

The Biggest Concern Isn't Traffic

Traffic is often mentioned, but for many Oakfield neighborhood residents, the greater concern is emergency access.

The Windsor Creek neighborhood is largely served by a single primary route in and out.

During a wildfire, major emergency, or evacuation event, residents are asking a reasonable question:

How will thousands of additional residents safely evacuate if this neighborhood continues to grow without corresponding infrastructure improvements?

Wildfire evacuation is no longer a hypothetical concern in Sonoma County. It is part of the reality of living here.

Planning for safe evacuation should be considered before adding hundreds of new homes—not afterward.

Thoughtful Planning Benefits Everyone

This discussion should not be reduced to accusations of "Not In My Backyard."

The people raising these concerns are asking for responsible planning that benefits the entire community.

That means balancing housing needs with infrastructure, emergency preparedness, public safety, and the Town's financial capacity.

If Windsor is asking voters for additional tax revenue because existing services are already stretched thin, then it is reasonable to ask whether now is the right time to continue approving additional high-density developments before those challenges are addressed.

These are questions worth asking—not because we oppose housing, but because we want Windsor to grow in a way that is sustainable, safe, and serves everyone who calls this community home.