About

In April 2023, the City of El Cerrito approved plans for the first phase of development, Parcel A South, a 70-unit affordable housing building. The project team is still in the development stage of the project process and are working on the design plans for a the remaining multi-phase project. The development team expects to apply to the City of El Cerrito for planning approvals in Summer 2023.

Project History

El Cerrito Plaza Station and City Planning Processes

El Cerrito Plaza Station joins a long list of stations where BART has completed or is planning TOD. BART is prioritizing development in El Cerrito because of the City’s extensive support and collaboration, and readiness of the market to support development. In 2014, after extensive community engagement, the City of El Cerrito adopted and is currently updating the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan, which supports development of the BART parking lots at both El Cerrito stations. The TOD project will also align with the goals and policies of El Cerrito’s Strategic and Economic Development Action Plans.

On November 19, 2020, the BART Board selected the developer team of Holliday Development, Related California, and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) to advance transit-oriented development, following a competitive request for qualifications (RFQ) process initiated in July 2020.

 

AB 2923

On September 30, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 2923, which affects zoning requirements on existing BART-owned property within 1/2 mile of stations in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco Counties. AB 2923 includes two core components:

TOD Standards. The law states that transit-oriented development (TOD) zoning standards that allow for more homes and jobs near transit stations apply on BART-owned land near stations. Residential density, building height, development intensity (as measured by floor-area-ratio or FAR), and parking are the TOD standards covered by AB 2923. Where local zoning does not conform with BART’s adopted TOD standards, cities and counties have until July 1, 2022 to rezone BART’s property to align or exceed adopted TOD standards.

Development Streamlining. Developers are in an exclusive negotiating agreement with BART to develop its property and may apply for expedited approval from local cities and counties if certain conditions are met.

See www.bart.gov/ab2923 for more information.

 

The following is an overview of what has happened so far:

  • July 27 and 29, 2019 – San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan Update - City-led Workshops

  • August 14, 2019 – El Cerrito Plaza TOD Open House Station Access and Parking Replacement

  • October 3, 2019 – Community Open House to inform TOD Goals and Objectives for El Cerrito Plaza, and discuss parking, transportation and station access (See goals here, PDF download)

  • November 19, 2019 – El Cerrito City Council Meeting Project Introduction

  • January 9, 2020 – BART Board Meeting

  • November 19, 2020 – BART selects Holliday, Related, and SAHA team

  • May 4, 2021 – Project introduction for El Cerrito City Council and Community (Video recording here)

  • May 25th, 2021 – Project introduction for the Community and general Q&A

  • July 20, 2022 – Pop-Up Open House at El Cerrito Plaza BART Station (See materials here, PDF download)

  • September 7, 2022 – Planning Commission and Design Review Board Joint Study Session

  • February 23, 2023 - Design Review Board advisory review of Parcel A South

  • April 3, 2023 - City of El Cerrito approval of the Parcel A South development.