A Calistoga landowner is working on a development plan that could add over 100 new housing units to Lincoln Avenue, and he said he’s hoping to shape it with input from area neighbors.

Adam Hemberger told the Calistoga City Council on Tuesday, June 23, that the Hemberger family has owned the vacant 8.36-acre lot at 1800 Lincoln Ave. since 1971. He said though the baseline density for the parcel allows for 336 apartment units at a maximum, he wanted to pursue a lower density plan and not push a project through a by-right approval process allowed under state law.

A concept Hemberger presented at the meeting included 117 housing units — with 80 rented apartments and 37 for-sale single family homes — around a central park. About one-fifth of the apartment units would be set aside for workforce housing at a restricted income level.

Calistoga residents at the meeting, particularly those living on View Road, raised concerns about the project bringing more traffic to the area and construction of two-story houses disrupting the privacy of the existing View Road single-family homes.

Calistoga Mayor Donald Williams — he lives in the area and spoke during public comment on his own behalf — said he wants to be supportive of a proposal for housing, “but it’s essential that the project be respectful of the neighborhood.”

Williams said it would not be “neighborly” for two-story houses to be built close to the backyards of existing homes on View Road. He also said proposed access from the development to View Road would add cars and “certainly make it unsafe for bikes, walking, kids playing” and suggested the cars instead be channeled onto Lincoln Avenue.

“For the new neighborhood to be successful, there’s no need to compromise the old one,” Williams said.

Leslie Easterday, an area resident, said View Road is a narrow street without sidewalks, and a common walking and biking spot. She invited Hemberger to walk the road with her.

“Bringing more cars and congestion will ruin … our neighborly street, and that is not being a good neighbor, and it breaks my heart,” Easterday said.

The councilmembers thanked Hemberger and his development team for reaching out and working with the community. Councilmember Lisa Gift specifically praised the team for choosing to go through a negotiated development path rather than seeking by-right approval.

“You guys have chosen a path that is less streamlined, and you’re negotiating the process with the city, which allows that opportunity for collaboration,” Gift said. “I think by choosing this path you’ve really demonstrated a willingness to engage in the public process and partner with the city.”

You can reach Staff Writer Edward Booth at 707-521-5281 or edward.booth@pressdemocrat.com.