Berkeley City Council

An appellate court ruled Friday that UC Berkeley may not proceed with plans to build student and low-income housing at People’s Park, prompting calls from local and state officials to reform the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, at the heart of the lawsuit.

The city of Berkeley’s Housing Element was rejected by the California State Department of Housing and Community Development, or HCD, Monday over issues with the proposed sites for new housing and the time frames in which the proposed sites would be developed. 

During its session Tuesday, Berkeley City Council conducted a public hearing regarding an appeal to the Zoning Adjustments Board to approve a use permit which would allow the demolition of existing buildings and construction of housing on 2065 Kittredge Street.

Berkeley City Council heavily debated citywide affordable housing requirements at its weekly meeting Jan. 17. With intensive deliberations, the council approved item 21 with certain revisions proposed by staff. 

Berkeley City Council voted unanimously to pass the 2023-2031 Housing Element in an explosive special meeting Wednesday, virtually attended by over 150 Berkeley residents.

The city of Berkeley is in crisis as it struggles to hire and retain the workers necessary to maintain city operations.

People’s Park has been a point of controversy within the Berkeley community as campus seeks to build housing on the park, while activists work to preserve it. But currently, the park is “chaos,” according to Nicholas Alexander, a resource coordinator who helps run the kitchen in the park.

Berkeley City Council began its meeting Tuesday with a recognition of outgoing City Councilmember Lori Droste. Representing District 8, Droste announced in May that she would not be pursuing a third term.

Berkeley City Council plans to return to in-person meetings starting Dec. 6, allowing for remote participation from the public.

The Berkeley City Council voted to approve the addition of the Fair Workweek Employment Standards ordinance to the Berkeley Municipal Code on Monday.