Berkeley is in TROUBLE. We need to
Build a Better Berkeley
And here’s why.
The quality of life in Berkeley is being degraded. From boarded up storefronts and holes in the ground where businesses used to be, to neighborhoods being pitted against one another by claims of economic injustice, Berkeley is becoming a less livable place. Details
Berkeley insists on passing laws that go way beyond already far-reaching and extreme State requirements. Single family zoning was eliminated in all cities in California, including Berkeley, as of September 2022 due to state law SB9. Rather than waiting to see how that would play out, our City Council passed the Middle Housing Ordinance, which went way beyond the requirements dictated in SB9. This and other actions of the Council degrade the livability of our city and our environment, while at the same time disrupt our neighborhoods and invite gentrification. Details
The real housing crisis in the bay area — providing affordable housing, including housing for families —is not being addressed. Instead, changes made set the stage for luxury market rate housing, student sleeping cubicles, and tiny apartments. There are no mandates for affordability. Instead, housing get smaller and smaller, and decidedly NOT family friendly! Nothing in this formula will make housing in Berkeley remotely affordable for those who work in minimum wage or similarly low wage jobs. Details
No plan has been put forth for how the city will accommodate the massive amount of housing possible under the city’s expanded zoning. Almost all of the residential lots in Berkeley can now have a minimum of a three-story, eight-unit building constructed on it. Our city is already failing to maintain its essential infrastructure. How will they ever deal with the increased needs? Details
Our Berkeley City Council no longer represents us. Monied interests are favored. Over the objections of hundreds of engaged residents, the University, tech, hedge funds and developers are the winners of City Council actions at the expense of our small businesses and those who live here. Details
Our city government is not open or transparent. Over the last decade, it has become routine for engagement with the public to be done only for show, effectively shutting us out of the true decision-making process. At City Council and Commission meetings, public comment is regularly ignored because decisions have been made ahead of time. How could members possibly have a prepared statement ready if they had any intention of considering public comments? Details
City councilmembers feel empowered to denigrate and demean residents in public meetings. Rather than listening to and considering the comments of residents who request reasonable modifications of council proposals or oppose them, some councilmembers are comfortable impugning the motives of commenters so they don’t have to address the concerns. Details
This 7 story building may be coming to your neighborhood!
Who we are and what we can do
Build a Better Berkeley (BaBB) is a coalition of Berkeley residents dedicated to maintaining a livable city while expanding genuinely affordable housing opportunities
BaBB is further dedicated to:
Keeping Berkeley Residents informed about what is and what has been happening in our city and state government, including issues of land use and genuine affordable housing creation that needs to occur now, and not in 25 years through “trickle down” means
Giving Berkeley neighborhoods a voice
Sponsoring Town Hall meetings on controversial topics so the public can ask questions, get answers, and see debates between the various sides
Developing a system that allows residents to contribute to the outcome of policy decisions
Restructuring the commission system so it is not held captive by special interests
To accomplish these objectives, electing new City Council members in 2026 and beyond is essential
What has City Government done lately while we have been preoccupied with national and world events?
Passed the Middle Housing Ordinance, which increases the height and density limits of our residential neighborhoods far beyond that which previously existed. There will be no public hearings or design review of the project, nor any right of appeal. The entire project will have no public input, including input from neighboring property owners. Details
Proposed a plan to allow for 8-12 story high rises on North Shattuck, Solano Ave and College Ave — the Corridors Zoning Upgrade (CZU) — posing a serious threat to the small businesses that so many people prize about Berkeley and are a big part of the city’s economic engine. Details
Proposed unreasonably burdensome changes to the Landmark Preservation ordinance, effectively denying well-deserving buildings that status by unjustly claiming landmark applications are frivolous. Details
It’s time for a change.
Berkeley is undergoing a radical transformation from a livable, coherent, human-scale town into a developer-designed hodge-podge of higher and environmentally unsound buildings that overwhelm their lots, and which produce streets unattractive for walking and shopping – all without any expectation of real affordability for most renters and buyers.
City Council tactics are heavy handed and divisive.
Special interests have more influence in our community than the rest of us.
Local media is heavily biased toward the YIMBY agenda.
It’s not enough anymore to just write letters or emails to the City Council members since they have their minds made up prior to entering the council chambers.
It is time for them to go.
JOIN US
Be prepared to fight for what you love about Berkeley or we will lose it!
Let’s make sure we Build a Better Berkeley together.