In a bizarre twist both sides said was unforeseen, a deal more than a year in the making stalled out Tuesday night prior to a council vote that was expected to bring 50 new units to Berkeley.
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.
Posted inHousing & Development
Council to consider zoning appeal for 6-story building in South Berkeley
Tuesday night, council will hear an appeal by local residents fighting a 6-story building in South Berkeley.
Posted inCity
New mayor seeks cooperation, also higher developer fees
Mayor-elect Jesse Arreguín says he’ll push for stronger community benefits packages from developers. Photo: Courtesy Jesse Arreguín Mayor-elect Jesse Arreguín says he’ll push for stronger community benefits packages from developers. Photo: Courtesy Jesse Arreguín Developers with projects in the pipeline can expect to be asked to provide more affordable housing and a stronger community benefits […]
Posted inHousing & Development
New housing OK’d in Berkeley as ‘YIMBYs’ win the night
A rendering of the proposed view of 2902 Adeline, looking southwest from Adeline and Russell streets. Image: Trachtenberg Architects A 6-story building set to include 50 rental units and four live-work units was approved Thursday night by Berkeley’s Zoning Adjustments Board, though neighborhood opposition will likely mean an appeal to City Council. Nearly 300 people have […]
Posted inCity
Top contenders for Berkeley mayor have sharp differences towards development
Laurie Capitelli and Jesse Arreguín are the two top contenders to replace Mayor Tom Bates. Photos: Emilie Raguso For the first time in 10 years, Berkeley does not have an incumbent mayor running for reelection. Mayor Tom Bates, who took office by defeating incumbent Shirley Dean in 2002, is stepping down and relinquishing his leadership […]
Posted inCity, Housing & Development
Judge tosses out legal challenge to Berkeley high-rise
An Alameda County Court Judge tossed out two legal challenges to 2211 Harold Way, paving the way for the 302-unit complex to proceed. Image: MVEI Architecture and Planning An Alameda County Court Judge tossed out two legal challenges to 2211 Harold Way, paving the way for the 302-unit complex to proceed. Image: MVEI Architecture and […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: Proposed development on Adeline highlights key community issues
Who Berkeley residents vote onto the Berkeley City Council this November could dramatically alter how the city looks in the future. The Berkeley City Council currently stands divided, with pro-development council members claiming the majority of votes, but that could all change once ballots are cast this fall. While some on the council favor more aggressive development as a […]
Posted inHousing & Development, Nosh
Proposed in Berkeley: 50 units in place of Anh Hong
A developer wants to replace downtown Berkeley Vietnamese restaurant with a seven-story building including a 1,500-square-foot ground-floor restaurant.
Posted inCity, Housing & Development
Luxury rental housing to replace Berkeley offices
1950 Addison: A 7-story apartment building has been approved. Photo: TCA Architecture 1950 Addison: A 7-story apartment building has been approved. Photo: TCA Architecture A 2-story office building in downtown Berkeley is slated to be replaced by a 7-story building with 107 luxury apartments and no retail. The project, at 1950 Addison St., between Milvia Street and Martin Luther […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley council votes to increase inclusionary housing
Many community members attended Tuesday night’s council meeting, which was slated to focus on housing. Photo: Ben Gould Many community members attended Tuesday night’s council meeting, which was slated to focus on housing. Photo: Ben Gould Despite an ambitious agenda, the Berkeley City Council managed Tuesday night to vote on just one policy shift related to affordable housing […]
Posted inCity
City Council to focus on creation of more housing
A person must now earn $143,360 to afford a median-rent apartment in Berkeley. Photo: Melati Citrawireja In the past five years, the population of Berkeley has grown 5.5%, but its housing supply has only increased 1.2%. That discrepancy, coupled with an economic boom that has pushed highly paid tech workers out of San Francisco and into […]
Posted inCity, Housing & Development
Berkeley considers ways to build more affordable housing
City council members talk to Cynthia Kroll, ABAG’s chief economist, at a special meeting to consider affordable housing issues in Berkeley. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel Transferring development rights to allow for taller buildings. Increasing the amount of affordable housing required for large developments. Offering developers a discount if they pay into the Housing Trust Fund at the beginning […]
