Celebrate Missing Middle Housing passing (N. Berkeley)

(Not a cohousing-focused event, but we are attending and sharing because this could enable lots of mini Cohousing neighborhoods in Berkeley)

Berkeley City Council approved the Middle Housing Ordinance! The city where single-family zoning began has ended it in its fire-safe neighborhoods. The ordinance faced intense pushback – many opposition emails prior to the meeting, a petition to delay garnering more than 700 signatures, and many public commenters opposed to the change. But of the 3+ hours of public comment, it was tallied that YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) voices represented about 60% of the comments, so we really showed up!

Of course, the reason we show up is to get results, and that's what we got last night: We were asking for increases to the density limits of 40/50/60 dwelling units per acre proposed across the existing zones in Berkeley's flats, and for council to make those density limits equal across the entire flats. While we didn't get the 90 dwelling units per acre we were hoping for, we got 70 units per acre applied equally. Given the amount of opposition the ordinance was facing going into the meeting, the fact that council nonetheless voted unanimously to increase those density limits is HUGE. Congratulations to everyone who got involved and spoke up to make this happen!

This victory will reverberate not just through Berkeley but beyond. We have just demonstrated to all of California, and even the country, that change is possible, that single-family zoning can end, and that a vocal minority pushing back won't block progress.

We need to celebrate. Here's the plan:

Let's raise a glass to council and to each other for getting this done!