The city has approved a 13-building project at the North Berkeley station and is seeking developer proposals for the Ashby station. The move signify a big change in Berkeley's attitude toward new development.
The county's request covers a wide range of topics, including SB 35, SB 330, the Density Bonus Law, and quick approval of accessory dwelling units. Local residents fear displacement as a result of the fire.
Housing would be removed form the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency and become its own entity. Transportation was removed from the business agency several years ago.
The 2023 law makes it easier for religious institutions and some colleges to build affordable housing. Some local jurisdictions are easing the path as well.
Ballot measure declaring housing a local matter will certainly be subject to litigation from the state. Other ballot results from around the state revealed a mixed bag.
The small North Coast city is seeing an expensive battle over whether to develop downtown parking lots are required by the Housing Element and try to shift housing elsewhere and retain current downtown parking.
Cities are moving aggressively to adopt objective design standards, now required in reviewing housing projects. But developers can use the Density Bonus Law to end-run some of the standards.
Altogether the governor signed more than 40 planning and development bills, vetoing only one bill designed to encourage conversion of old office buildings to housing, apparently because off the labor standards contained in the bill.
Legislation includes everything expanding SB 9 to guardrails on builders remedy to clarifying how a housing element can be deemed compliant. About 15 planning and development bills remain on the governor's desk.
