BERKELEY—Some of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods, bustling street corridors and empty single-family homes are being eyed to try and develop nearly 9,000 new homes over the next eight years, …
BERKELEY—Some of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods, bustling street corridors and empty single-family homes are being eyed to try and develop nearly 9,000 new homes over the next eight years, after the Berkeley City Council unanimously gave a 656-page plan the green light Wednesday.The city will submit its state-mandated Housing Element, which lays out a roadmap and vision for denser development, to California’s Department of Housing and Community Development this month.
If he’s wrong, what’s at stake is the city’s ability to control its own local land-use decisions, as well as access key funding for affordable housing and infrastructure. Lawsuits and fines are also on the line if state regulators decide the council’s latest plan still misses the mark.A majority of draft Housing Elements from across the Bay Area were—a clear symptom of the state’s dramatically increased demands.
The nine-member Berkeley City Council unanimously supported adding an amendment to update the city’s zoning rules to allow for higher growth along College, Solano and North Shattuck avenues by the end of 2026—a change Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani authored to help “formerly red-lined and higher-resource areas” do their fair share of the big housing lift.
But the council and public commenters were hotly divided on the suggestion to consider streamlining demolition of long-vacant single-family homes in favor of expediting approvals for “middle housing,” such as smaller, multi-unit buildings.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Berkeley City Leaders Advance Plan to Build Thousands of New HomesMore housing could be on the way across Berkeley after city leaders late Wednesday night advanced a state-required plan to build nearly 9,000 homes by 2031.
Read more »
Berkeley: Fire at Bayer complex injures contractorsTwo flooring contractors were hospitalized with burns Tuesday after a fire at Bayer Corporation, authorities said.
Read more »
Berkeley woman burned in fire diesAn 80-year-old woman who suffered severe burns in a fire at her apartment last week has died, authorities said.
Read more »
Berkeley Scientists Discover Secret to Waking Up Alert and RefreshedTips the researchers identified: Sleep for a longer duration and at a later time, engage in physical activity the day before, and consume a breakfast low in sugar and high in carbohydrates. Do you feel sleepy until you've had your morning coffee? Do you struggle with sleepiness during the workday
Read more »
New Billboard About Antisemitism Sparks Debate in BerkeleySeveral new billboards in Berkeley meant to raise awareness about antisemitism are also raising new debate, with some saying the message is only further dividing the community.
Read more »
Beloved Berkeley Irish pub celebrates life of co-founderThe Starry Plough, a Berkeley institution, became a second home for many thanks to Frances Hughes' hospitality.
Read more »