I urge all residents to take a hard look at the "Middle Housing" zoning change proposal coming up for vote by the City of Berkeley Council, to reject this proposal as written, and to demand changes that protect safety, environmental integrity, and neighborhood livability.  Zoning changes of this magnitude should require a comprehensive, thoughtful, and transparent process among all city residents - over whatever amount of time needed - to develop alternatives that address housing concerns, but also balance any growth with environmental protections, wildfire safety, and neighborhood quality of life. 

While motivation for affordable housing is a legitimate concern, this proposal will have drastic short term and long term consequences, allowing a pro-development agenda to reshape the city with virtually no review or environmental protections.  Density has been falsely equated with environmental benefit, as if this is a single cause and effect.  It is not.  It is one component of many, complex interactions that lead to truly green communities, where addition of density is carefully considered and located, in conjunction with increased trees and other vegetation, the creation of networks of pocket parks and open space for residents of all demographics, restoration of urban waterways and biodiverse landscapes, and the preservation of light and air that are so essential for public health and mental well-being.   The Middle Housing proposal on the table provides for none of the latter, while increasing development outright, and promoting yet more concrete and hardscapes across every square foot of developable space. 

Rezoning for yet more density outside of the hills is once again ignoring the thoughtful planning from over a decade ago, that allowed for some increased density (which the City has far surpassed already), but with parameters protecting neighborhoods, livability, and the environment.  We’ve already accepted a disproportionate share of increased density across the region. Several times over. It is time for other cities to step up, and for all of us to acknowledge that there are environmental limits to growth.

Juliet Lamont