Planning Commission Calls for More Density at Berkeley BART Stations

Berkeley planning commissioners recommend taller buildings, more density as the city evaluates zoning changes near BART stations.

1 minute read

November 9, 2021, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


 A Richmond-bound (Red Line) train at Downtown Berkeley station in June 2019

Pi.1415926535 / Berkeley BART station

Emilie Raguso reports on a Berkeley Planning Commission meeting that had at its center a proposal to develop housing on parking lots at two BART stations. At issue during Wednesday's meeting were proposed height limits and the percentage of affordable housing that would be required.

On Wednesday, there were two clear camps among the callers: Those pushing for a higher percentage of affordable units in, primarily, somewhat shorter projects overseen by nonprofit developers and those asserting that the best way to get the highest number of affordable units is to build taller buildings.

While some community members called for a maximum height of seven stories, many Commissioners expressed support for taller buildings of up to 12 stories to accommodate more housing units. Raguso quotes Commissioner Barnali Ghosh as saying, "We have to start making sacrifices here. But I also don’t think of density as a sacrifice."

The proposal for the BART sites and related zoning changes will undergo further consideration by the Berkeley City Council in early 2022. The discussion comes after the council voted to eliminate single-family zoning and minimum parking requirements, reversals on decades-old policies that city leaders hope will help alleviate Berkeley's deepening housing affordability crisis, encourage public transit use, and reduce carbon emissions.

Friday, November 5, 2021 in Berkeleyside

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from a distance with freeway and trees in foreground.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods

A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

7 hours ago - USC Dornsife

Aerial view of Claifornia aqueduct with green orchard on one side.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy

California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

April 3 - Turlock Journal

Close-up of older woman's hands resting on white modern heating radiator mounted on wall indoors.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program

The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.

April 3 - The New York Times