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BERKELEY -- Berkeley voters Tuesday night overwhelmingly told the city not to further limit the height of buildings. Updated Nov. 6, 1:20 am
With 97 percent of the votes counted, a remarkable tally of 80 percent of voters said "no" to measure P, the building height initiative.
"We're very excited," said Hank Resnik, manager of the "No on P" campaign. "This will be a loud and clear message, to the community from the community, to the region, that people in Berkeley understand what issues are and want to have a positive vision of the future of the city."
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| Berkeley resident Robert Baum, dressed as "Frankenbuilding," said he joined the campaign for Measure P after he heard of plans to construct a four-story mixed-use buiding in his one-story neighborhood. Photo by Hannah Schardt. |
The election decided the outcome of a heated battle between those who advocate building upward to meet increased housing needs and those who want to preserve Berkeley's small town character.
A petition-driven voter initiative, Measure P would have lowered building heights to two or three stories in key parts of the city, including major commercial areas along San Pablo, Telegraph, Shattuck and University avenues outside of downtown. Existing zoning regulations allowed up to five stories in these areas.
"We want a livable city," Resnik said. "I saw the whole Measure P issue as very negative, as saying 'no' to anything and everything. That's not how we're going to build the future. We have to say 'yes' to something."
Resnik and other opponents said Berkeley needs to build more affordable housing near public transit and stores.
That's what the city's General Plan already calls for, said Councilwoman Miriam Hawley, who was delighted by the measure's defeat. "(The voters) are affirming the General Plan and the public process that went into it," Hawley said.
Measure P supporters said they were disappointed by the measure's defeat but are not ready to quit.
"The City Council is fully aware of us now," said Marie Bowman. "In terms of communication and just getting our message out there, it's gone very well. This is far from over."
At the "Yes on P" headquarters tonight, supporters wrapped up the campaign with a party. Bowman's sentiments were echoed in a cake decorated with the words, "Congratulations, Yes on P. Win or lose, this is just the beginning."
Bowman said she will work to reduce building heights and density.
Members of the "Yes on P" coalition, including the measure's author Howie Muir, are involved in lawsuits against three development projects in Berkeley. Muir is trying to block the buildings at 2700 San Pablo, 2517 Sacramento, and 2571 Shattuck because they are all too tall and too dense, he says.
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| Baum walked through the Berkeley Farmer's Market on Saturday, drawing stares from passersby as he encouraged them to "vote yes on Measure P." Photo by Hannah Schardt. |
"I knew it was an uphill battle," said Muir about Measure P's defeat. "It's difficult to educate the public when they have other things to do and other things to concentrate on. At least, now the city knows there's an issue here that isn't going away."
The measure drew wide opposition by politicians, planners, and developers, who helped raise $53,000 for the "No on P" campaign. Opponents feared the measure would appeal to residents' fear of change and new development.
In contrast, the "Yes on P" campaign raised about $4,400.
Measures addressing regional planning issues appeared on several ballots in the Bay Area this election.
In Fremont, Measure T, which proposed restricting land uses in Fremont's hill area, was ahead. And Solano County voters were approving Measure E, which would raise local sales tax to be spent on a range of transportation development projects.
Many planners consider the Bay Area to be "built out," meaning that there is little vacant land available for further development. Together with real estate prices that top the nation's charts, development in the bay area has become a contentious topic.
"I'm looking forward to having a dialogue with the folks who are proponents of Measure P," said Peter Voorhees, office manager for "No on P." "We may not share a common vision but we share a town."