Planning commission recommends council amend Marketplace development agreement to encourage return of housing

The Emeryville Planning Commission on May 22 voted to recommend City Council approve an amendment to the development agreement for the Marketplace redevelopment project that aims to restore the option for residential development on Parcels A and B and to tie the previously negotiated $20 million housing contribution to specific construction and permitting milestones.

What the amendment would change: the proposed amendment extends the development agreement term (which had been set to expire in January 2028) to March 2029 or 12 months after a building‑permit application for an identified residential project on Parcel B. The amendment also attaches milestone deadlines to Parcel A and Parcel B residential submittals: study‑session submittal, application for final development plan, building‑permit application and permit issuance, each within scheduled windows tied to the amendment.

How the $20 million would be handled: the development agreement trade that previously shifted the obligation to build affordable units (and the associated $20…