New state housing laws curb power of Berkeley homeowners
The fight over a plan to build a 6-story apartment building on a vacant lot illustrates a power shift driven by California’s housing crisis.
Housing & Development
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Top Stories
Daytime drop-in center opens in Southside Berkeley
UC Berkeley and the city funded the amenities hub in ongoing efforts to clear People’s Park and make way for construction of student housing.
Berkeley Troll House, where the ‘psychedelic elite’ partied, has sold for $1.4 million
Owsley Stanley, famed Grateful Dead soundman and the first person to privately manufacture LSD, lived in the Poet’s Corner cottage during the Summer of Love.
Homelessness
Half of People’s Park occupants have moved to Rodeway Inn
People are moving into temporary housing as UC Berkeley prepares to build student housing at the park this summer.
Berkeley’s homeless population dropped 5% during the pandemic, report says
There are about 50 fewer homeless people in the city than in 2019, even as Alameda County’s homeless population rose 22%.
First North Berkeley affordable housing in over 30 years, Jordan Court, opens
Tenants began moving into the 34-unit affordable senior housing project in March after being chosen among 1,000 applicants.
Commercial development
As owners move to sell the California Theatre, fans try to save it
An unidentified prospective buyer has plans to “transform” the 108-year-old California Theatre, one of its owners says.
Photos: Take a first look inside the hotel that has reshaped Berkeley’s skyline
The new Residence Inn by Marriott, which opens Friday in downtown, is the fourth-tallest building in Berkeley and the city’s biggest in half a century.
Council approves $33M Bayer development agreement
The deal paves the way for a building boom at the Bayer campus in West Berkeley, which could add 1,000 new jobs.
Berkeley ponders paid parking to aid cash-strapped Marina Fund
One council member called paid parking “a no-brainer” and others said it would align with the city’s climate goals.
Council seeks $15M state earmark to help revive Berkeley Marina
The marina has $113 million in unfunded infrastructure needs.
Housing at BART
Council approves 7-story housing at Ashby, North Berkeley BART stations
The projects could bring more than 5,400 new residents to the city and result in 465 new jobs, according to staff.
From 7 stories to 12: Commission backs taller height limit for BART housing
The City Council is set to vote on the controversial zoning change, which one commissioner called a “fireball,” later this spring.
Berkeley BART stations set to have much less parking when housing gets built
Under the current proposal, there will be 85 parking spots at Ashby BART and 200 spots at North Berkeley BART, including in a satellite lot.
Berkeley infrastructure, housing measure could top $500M
Street paving, affordable housing at BART could see surge of new funding — if voters back largest-ever ballot measure.
Affordable housing
In brief
How to share your thoughts on Berkeley’s housing plans
The city has released a draft of its Housing Element, which is likely to face close scrutiny from all sides of the housing debate.
To boost affordable housing, Berkeley looks to buy, not just build
With construction costs high, Berkeley is increasingly looking to create affordable housing by buying and fixing up older buildings.
Berkeley could vote on 2 measures to build affordable housing, pave streets
Officials say a proposed $28M per year parcel tax increase could bring the city’s roads to “good” condition in a decade.
South Berkeley elder, business owner wants an accessible home to ‘start over with new beginnings’
After suffering serious falls, Betty Gray hasn’t been able to leave her second-floor apartment to run Alice’s Relaxing Bath and Gift Shop.
Student housing
Why hasn’t UC Berkeley built more student housing?
For much of Cal’s history, providing housing for students was not a priority. Troubled finances in the last few decades have hobbled Cal’s efforts to catch up.
Developer pitches 3 buildings in South Berkeley, big downtown projects open
New plans call for nearly 500 new apartments spread across three sites along Shattuck Avenue in South Berkeley.
UC Berkeley finds a workaround to mandated enrollment freeze
By offering remote learning and a delayed enrollment option, Cal won’t need to cut freshmen and transfer admission.
UC Berkeley must slash new enrollment by a third unless high court intervenes
UC Berkeley has been denied relief from a court-ordered enrollment freeze. It may be forced to mail out 5,100 fewer acceptance letters next month.
Zoning Adjustments Board
Berkeley will soon be home to a major research and development center
Developers will construct two modern buildings and add a strolling path with native plants along Bolivar Drive by Aquatic Park.
Proposed development near Aquatic Park could bring in 1,600 workers
Two developers, working in conjunction with the Jones family who own the land, want to build two Class A R&D buildings.
With split vote, Berkeley zoning board approves new ‘group living’ project
A 41-unit “group living” project called Poet’s Place was approved Thursday night by a Berkeley zoning board majority.
‘A mini-urban miracle,’ new Berkeley homeless housing could be model for the state
It’s been a big week for subsidized housing in Berkeley. And it just got bigger.
Urban planning
Planning Commission on BART housing: 7 stories is not enough
The EIR comment period runs through Dec. 1. Learn how to weigh in.
9,000 homes by 2031? How Berkeley will try to pull it off
The city is making a key update to its housing plans. Here’s how the process works and how you can get involved.
Debate continues over affordability, parking, height of BART housing
What’s happening now is important because it will define the parameters for large new apartment buildings that are slated to replace what are now parking lots at the North Berkeley and Ashby BART stations.
After parking lots turn into housing, how will you get to BART?
BART is seeking input on its plan to help Berkeley residents get to the Ashby and North Berkeley BART stations once housing is built on the parking lots.
Housing Trust Fund
The Housing Trust Fund is the money the city uses to build and support affordable housing projects in Berkeley. The money can be leveraged 4-to-1 to seek outside funding. Money generally comes into the fund when developers choose not to include affordable units within their projects, or who do not include the full number of those units. Rather than building on site, they can pay a fee into the city's Trust Fund instead.
With 26 stories, McDonald’s corner could one day have Berkeley’s tallest building
The project team is hoping to lock down the fifth and final tall building slot allowed downtown.
Developer proposes 17-story apartment building across from UC Berkeley
If past attempts to raise tall apartment buildings in downtown Berkeley are any indication, the plans could prove contentious.
UC Berkeley will explore moving 8-unit rent-controlled building as part of $82.6M settlement
The university will also pay $920,000 into the city’s Housing Trust Fund as recompense for the structure.
Related stories
Au revoir, Au Coquelet: Late-night Berkeley cafe makes way for 8-story development
Any hopes that a new cafe would open in the old Au Coquelet were dashed Wednesday, when the entire building was destroyed.
Sponsored
Elegance Berkeley, new senior living community, is opening soon
The senior housing community in Poet’s Corner will offer daily care as well as engagement programs focused on wellness, the arts and continual learning.
