June 4, 2025, Planning Commission meeting

June 4, 2025, Berkeley Planning Commission meeting AGENDA https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/... MINUTES https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/... Attachments: Supplemental Agenda Packet https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/... Correspondence 2 https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/... Correspondence 3 https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/... 10A - R-1A Rezone Presentation https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/... ADU Ordinance Amendments Presentation https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/... Transformer Undergrounding Presentation https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/... Late Correspondence https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ TIMESTAMPS 0:04:43 Public Comment on non-agenda items: Statement on poor public noticing in Berkeley Times 18:20 : Public Comment on agenda item: Ms. Browning : Opposes. 24:02 : Clifford Fred (Former Planning Commissioner)“If it’s good enough for the Hills it’s good enough for the Flats. 26:31 : “Nisha (inaudible)” (associated with the Ecology Center?) Speaks on the environmental impact. 28:40 : Bridget “Shanks” Wholeheartedly supports upzoning except to allow demolition of single-family home. 30:14 : Nathaniel “Bordstrom” More public hearings are needed. 31:33 : “Gene Clinton” Slum lords will benefit. *33:36 : “Stacy (inaudible)” Supports Upzoning for the ‘general good. 34:21 : David Wright A three story building will block the sun from my home. *37:21 : (Inaudible) (UCB student) Supports more density to reduce the cost of housing *38:35 : (Inaudible) (Berkeley apartment dweller) Supports upzoning 39:06 : Donna Dediemar (Build a Better Berkeley) Decries lack of transparency on this issue. 41:21 : (Inaudible) States that Berkeley is overriding State Law to provide more density that will benefit developers and not small home owners. 43:32 : Meryl (Co-founder of Beautiful San Pablo) Too much densification in West Berkeley. 45:29 : (Inaudible) The residents poorly informed of Middle Housing Plan 47:35 : (Inaudible) The Plan will entice developers to buy up lots. 49:29 : (Inaudible) Family moved to Berkeley 10 years ago for it’s charm. Public Notice was poor. Speaker never heard of the Berkeley Voice and had to Google it! “Our neighborhoods will be destroyed.” 51:42 : (Inaudible) Opposed because it will not provide more affordable housing than the currently allowed. *53:56 : (Inaudible) (Home owner and employee of a non-profit developer) Supports a speedier process of permitting development. *56:31 : (Unidentified speaker) (No ID provided) Supported more family housing upzoning would permit. 57:55 : Zelda Bronstein (Former Planning Commissioner Chair) Reads a letter from attorney Lippe stating that the Planning Commission letter to the residents was informationally defective. To correct this defect another public meeting needs to be called to properly inform the residents. *59:57 : (inaudible) Supports Middle Housing since it promises affordable housing. 1:01:10 : Toni Mester The main issue is that property owners are unaware of what can be built on their lot and the lots of their neighbors. *1:03:21 : Angela (inaudible) (COHO member) Supports Middle Housing because it will provide affordable housing. *1:04:55 : Sarah (inaudible) More housing will be more affordable 1:07:20 : Philip Myerson (Build a Better Berkeley) Why the rush to pass this Plan when we are told, given the Market, building won’t happen soon. 1:09:00 : Judy (inaudible) Person of color concerns with infrastructure like sewers. 1:11:46 : Shirley (inaudible) Middle Housing Plan will decrease population diversity because the City Council is not prioritizing affordable housing. 1:13:39 : (Inaudible) “We need to slow down development and more public participation. *1:16:00 : Jesse Favors Middle Housing because it will be affordable. 1:16:36 : Kelly Hammargren (Berkeley journalist) Need to accommodate density with better planning for open space, parks and other accommodations. *1:17:50 : Jeff Baker: Hopes to find affordable housing via the Plan for his kids 1:20:00 : (Inaudible) (Architect) The Middle Housing Plan too expansive. 1:22:24 : Public Comment closed. 22 opposed 10 in favor