About

City of El Cerrito approved plans for the El Cerrito Plaza BART Master Plan, consisting of 743 rental apartments. Approximately 47% of apartments will be designated for those earning between 30-80% Area Median Income. The first phase of development, Parcel A South, a 70-unit affordable housing building, is expected to start construction in 2025.

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 have entered into a Lease Option Agreement with BART to develop the El Cerrito BART Plaza Master Plan.

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

The following is an overview of planning efforts to date:

  • Between the years of 2019-2024 - Developers, BART, and the City of El Cerrito have collaborated on a variety of workshops, study sessions, and public hearings to discuss the development of El Cerrito Plaza BART TOD. For additional information please click here. More information about public outreach can be found on BART’s website and the City’s website.

  • July 2024 - The Master Plan was ministerially entitled  via AB 2923.

  • Ongoing - Parcel C East, the second phase of affordable housing, is currently seeking funding from various sources.