Council-Backed BART Housing Bill Clears Senate

Legislation the Bay Area Council is supporting that would usher in tens of thousands of new housing units near BART stations passed the Senate this week and appears headed for approval in the Assembly. Authored by Assembly members David Chiu (San Francisco) and Tim Grayson (Concord), the bill is a high priority for the Council, which is focused on expanding new housing near mass transit to provide commuters and others with an alternative to steering their automobiles onto the region’s already congested roads and highways. The bill, which San Francisco BART Director Nick Josefowitz has championed, now heads to the Assembly, where it is expected to get quick approval before heading to Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature.

Specifically, the bill would require the elected BART Board of Directors to establish guidelines for transit-oriented development for BART-owned land at or around BART stations. Cities would then update their local zoning to be consistent with these standards while retaining control over community design standards and final permitting authority. Meanwhile, the Assembly on Monday (Aug. 27) is scheduled to vote on legislation (SB 1227-Skinner) the Council is sponsoring to expand student housing.