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You’ve probably heard about Berkeley unanimously adopting a symbolic resolution decrying exclusionary zoning. Now what? The resolution only identified the problem, now we are going to try to DO SOMETHING about it. Join us on Thursday 3/25 at 5:00 at Berkeley City Council. https://twitter.com/loridroste/status/1357414461385048065
. @ezraklein said California is symbolically liberal and operationally conservative. Is he right? @fmanjoo said that Berkeley beat back NIMBYs? Is he right? @profchapple says single family zoning...threatens to lock us out of our own community. Is she right?
We are voting on embarking on a 18 mo community process to reform our zoning & comply with state law. Our desire is to grow our city beautifully, thoughtfully, & equitably. We want to create more welcoming neighborhoods & support sustainable homes for our community and climate.
SO MANY of you have sent congratulations in tackling racial and income inequality while others have some basic questions. Let’s address them.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?
In addition to addressing exclusion (see above & @oandbinstitute), we also have to meet new state housing goals to comply with the law. Berkeley has to plan for 8,934 homes, a 201% increase
In addition to addressing exclusion (see above & @oandbinstitute), we also have to meet new state housing goals to comply with the law. Berkeley has to plan for 8,934 homes, a 201% increase
WILL THERE BE COMMUNITY INPUT DURING ZONING REFORM?
Yes. Lots. We want to AND it is req'd by law. By beginning now, we are seeking GREATER input than what has previously been req'd. We are asking for an 18 months process to engage the community in forums, surveys, meetings, etc.
Yes. Lots. We want to AND it is req'd by law. By beginning now, we are seeking GREATER input than what has previously been req'd. We are asking for an 18 months process to engage the community in forums, surveys, meetings, etc.
We especially want to hear from marginalized groups and sensitive communities. Besides, zoning changes cannot happen overnight.
HOW DOES ZONING REFORM HELP AFFORDABILITY AND EQUITY?
Our EXISTING zoning bars the creation of affordable housing in the majority of Berkeley. We want to change that.
Our EXISTING zoning bars the creation of affordable housing in the majority of Berkeley. We want to change that.
Missing middle housing is also less expensive than single family homes. The median price of a single family home in Berkeley is $1.4 million, which is out of reach for the majority of working people.
We also want to maximize opportunities for the development and preservation of Below Market Rate (BMR) units. Considerations may include, but is not limited to density bonuses, Affordable Housing Trust Fund fees, overlays, zoning or streamlining incentives.
Additionally, the equitable residential zoning recommendations permits other affordability models, like social housing, land trusts, or cooperatives, in many areas where it is currently barred. We also want to seek geographic equity & equity in access to housing types and access.
DOES ZONING REFORM THREATEN PUBLIC SAFETY?
I represent a lot of the hills so I share your concerns but I want to be clear that this proposal has NEVER been about jeopardizing people’s lives. With any zoning changes, public safety is a primary concern.
I represent a lot of the hills so I share your concerns but I want to be clear that this proposal has NEVER been about jeopardizing people’s lives. With any zoning changes, public safety is a primary concern.
Council passed a resolution reaffirming this. While zoning reform should examine public safety in all areas, OBJECTIVE additional criteria should apply.
For those who have claimed this proposal is threatening people’s lives, I urge them to check out our current regs governing zoning changes, including a ‘Disaster Preparedness and Safety’ in our General Plan and our Local Hazard Mitigation.
State resources address danger too –Fire Hazard Planning Technical Advisory and Cal Fire’s Land Use Planning Program. They help us plan to mitigate fire hazards in the wildland-urban interface, etc.
Potential housing hazards are also routinely considered during Berkeley’s Housing Element update. ALSO, major revisions are subject to California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). It analyzes wildfire, water quality, air quality, and hazards.
WHAT DOES ZONING REFORM HAVE TO DO WITH GLOBAL WARMING? Emissions are contributing to climate change. By allowing ppl to live near their work, we reduce sprawl, traffic, greenhouse gases, & the potential for bigger wildfires. It’s one of the most important things we can do.
Climate researchers at Cal created a local gov't climate policy tool to measure policies based upon how well they reduce carbon footprints. In their analysis of 700 cities, these researchers determined that infill housing has the biggest impact.
Heck, that's why a Nobel Prize winner in climate research supports this policy. Heeeey @dan_kammen . Pedestrian and bicycle advocates support us too. Tag your faves and tell them to write to [email protected] to send a letter of support.
DOES ZONING REFORM DESTROY NEIGHBORHOODS WITH UGLY BUILDINGS?
No. We care about design too. We recommend you read this oped. It talks about form based codes and scale, which we want to consider. https://twitter.com/berkeleyside/status/943205823529893888?s=20
No. We care about design too. We recommend you read this oped. It talks about form based codes and scale, which we want to consider. https://twitter.com/berkeleyside/status/943205823529893888?s=20
There are so many beautiful examples of missing middle housing like this! Share them here! @OpticosDesign has some cool examples.
Some people have fearmongered by circulating pictures of high rises in neighborhoods. The aim of neighborhood zoning reform has ALWAYS been to consider missing middle housing with appropriate scale that blends in with the look and feel of the neighborhood.
Why shouldn’t duplexes or triplexes be allowed if they are the same size as a single family home? Some parents even want their kids to move back home with them. We want to incentivize subdivisions and allow flexibility for people to add to their homes, should they choose.
Missing middle housing is often the same size as a large single family home. Here's a pretty example of one in my neighborhood.
I HAVE A LOT MORE TO SAY AND YOU KNOW I'M AN EPIC TWEETER. I WILL SAY MORE TOMORROW. :-)
DOES ZONING REFORM HURT TENANTS?
We are going to make sure it doesn’t. @NancySkinnerCA already passed a law prohibiting the demolition of low-rent housing but we also added in Berkeley-specific special protections like relocation payments, right of return, noticing, etc.
We are going to make sure it doesn’t. @NancySkinnerCA already passed a law prohibiting the demolition of low-rent housing but we also added in Berkeley-specific special protections like relocation payments, right of return, noticing, etc.
Everything must comply with our demolition ordinance. We also are going to conduct an anti-displacement risk assessment.
IS ALLOWING MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING A RADICAL CHANGE? Maybe in our psyches but not in reality. Currently, state law allows for 3 units in most places 
@dagarciajr has even said the changes are so incremental that "“It's going to take 10, 20 years for anyone to really notice...”
@dagarciajr has even said the changes are so incremental that "“It's going to take 10, 20 years for anyone to really notice...”
Even the League of California Cities has recommended allowing for four units in their Blueprint for More Housing. https://www.cacities.org/Resources-Documents/News/News/2020/Housing-Production-Proposal-Factsheet.aspx
WILL ZONING REFORM INCREASE DISPLACEMENT?
According to anti-displacement experts, this proposal could help stop displacement. Nationally recognized anti-displacement expert professor @profchapple from @UCBDisplacement strongly supports this reform. https://twitter.com/loridroste/status/1364314627929108486
According to anti-displacement experts, this proposal could help stop displacement. Nationally recognized anti-displacement expert professor @profchapple from @UCBDisplacement strongly supports this reform. https://twitter.com/loridroste/status/1364314627929108486
This proposal has garnered support from affordable housing advocates because current zoning regulations PROHIBIT affordable housing in almost half the city. I scratch my head when people say we need more affordable housing but then don't want it in half the city.
A displacement risk analysis from Portland showed that a similar zoning reform proposal could REDUCE displacement of low-income renters up to 28%.
WHAT DOES ZONING REFORM HAVE TO DO WITH HOMELESSNESS? In order to act in accordance with best practices research on alleviating homelessness and help homeless individuals get housed, the City needs to create more homes. https://www.usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset_library/evidence-behind-approaches-that-end-homelessness.pdf
In Berkeley’s very own 1,000 Person Plan to Address Homelessness recommends that Council prioritizes “implementing changes to Berkeley’s Land Use, Zoning, Development Review Requirements for new housing with an eye toward alleviating homelessness.”
