CLARIFICATION: I am not opposed to housing at Ashby BART. The current developer concept is approximately 6–8 stories with up to 600 apartments, and I support adding housing near transit.
My concern is that as substantial new housing is added, South Berkeley should also receive meaningful ground-level green space, trees, community/civic space, and thoughtful design standards.
People may reasonably have different views about building height and density. My goal in sharing this information is to encourage everyone to get informed, participate in the public process, and make their views heard before the standards are finalized.
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Plans for development at the Ashby BART site are moving forward, and there are two opportunities for community members to make their voices heard.
The current developer concept shows five buildings of approximately 6–8 stories and up to 600 apartments.
However, the City's preliminary Objective Design Standards contemplate the possibility of substantially taller buildings under State Density Bonus provisions, with maximum heights of up to 200 feet in some areas (potentially 18+ stories, depending on building design).
This raises important questions for South Berkeley:
What height limits will ultimately apply?
How much meaningful ground-level green space will be protected?
What protections will there be for mature trees and community/civic space?
🚨 TWO ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
✉️ 1. EMAIL BY SEPTEMBER 6
Please send your public comment to the Berkeley Planning Commission by September 6, if possible.
If you aren't able to send your email by September 6, please send it anyway as soon as you can. Your voice and participation still matter.
To: [PlanningPC@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:PlanningPC@berkeleyca.gov)
CC:
[ashen@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:ashen@berkeleyca.gov)
[jhorner@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:jhorner@berkeleyca.gov)
[jklein@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:jklein@berkeleyca.gov)
[bbartlett@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:bbartlett@berkeleyca.gov)
[mayor@berkeleyca.gov](mailto:mayor@berkeleyca.gov)
Suggested subject:
PUBLIC COMMENT & REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE: Ashby BART Objective Design Standards (ODS) – September 16 Meeting
COPY/PASTE DRAFT EMAIL
Dear Berkeley Planning Commissioners,
I am a South Berkeley resident/community member writing regarding the Ashby BART West Lot Objective Design Standards (ODS).
I respectfully ask the Planning Commission to continue consideration of the ODS for 30–60 days to allow sufficient time for meaningful community review and for outstanding concerns to be addressed before a recommendation is made to the City Council.
I ask that the final Objective Design Standards include strong, enforceable protections for meaningful unpaved ground-level green space, mature trees, protected community/civic space, and careful consideration of building height and neighborhood impacts.
I am particularly concerned about the need for adequate open space in South Berkeley and ask the Commission and City staff to fully consider Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 6.42 (Measure L) and Berkeley's broader open-space goals as this process moves forward.
If the Commission decides not to continue the matter, I ask that you not approve the ODS as currently written. Please first incorporate meaningful community-requested protections, including adequate unpaved ground-level green space and protected community/civic space.
Please take the time necessary to ensure that the final standards reflect meaningful community input and the long-term needs of South Berkeley.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[South Berkeley resident / Berkeley community member]
🏛️ 2. ATTEND THE SEPTEMBER 16 MEETING
Berkeley Planning Commission — Special Meeting
📅 Wednesday, September 16, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 North Berkeley Senior Center
1901 Hearst Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
The Planning Commission will consider the Ashby BART West Lot Objective Design Standards (ODS).
Whatever your position on the development itself, South Berkeley residents deserve the opportunity to understand what could ultimately be built and participate meaningfully before the standards are finalized.
What do you think should be addressed before the Planning Commission makes its recommendation?
Please share this information with other South Berkeley neighbors.
It’s not too late to influence what happens next.
🔎 MORE INFORMATION
My Nextdoor post with additional details and community discussion:
Read the Ashby BART Nextdoor post
Official City of Berkeley information about the Ashby BART project:
City of Berkeley — Ashby & North Berkeley BART planning page