Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Consultant tells Newark council to streamline industrial zoning, boost power capacity to attract manufacturers
Summary
A Strategic Economics consultant told the Newark City Council the city's location and building mix make it competitive for advanced manufacturing and life sciences, but zoning and approvals are creating friction; recommendations include updating development standards, rezoning Cedars for flexible uses, and exploring microgrids to speed electrical hookups.
At a study session on May 14, strategic economics consultant Dina Belcher presented findings from Newark's industrial lands assessment and offered recommendations to increase the city's competitiveness for industrial investment.
Belcher told councilors that Newarks advantage is location: proximity to both South Bay semiconductor supply chains and life-science clusters, and easy access across the Dumbarton and San Mateo bridges. "You are really located at the core of two different sorts of industries that are really vibrant in this region," she said, summarizing why Newark can capture demand from multiple sectors.
The presentation reviewed building types, vacancy and rent trends, and the mix of businesses in warehouse, manufacturing and R&D space. Belcher said Newarks inventory has areas with older buildings that will need modernization (higher clear heights, upgraded power) and noted that no zoning district currently allows warehouse by right, creating uncertainty for investors.
Her recommendations included: focusing regulation on development standards (site layout, clear heights, dock-door ratios, parking) instead of narrow use restrictions; specifically naming and discouraging high-impact uses the city does not want (for example, large fulfillment centers) rather than broadly excluding categories; rezoning the Cedars sub-area to allow more recreational and flexible uses by right so owners can pivot in different market cycles; and investigating microgrids or on-site generation to speed power availability for industrial tenants.
Council members asked about vacancy definitions, truck traffic and whether warehouse uses create few local jobs and high truck volumes. One council member cautioned about long-term truck impacts from fulfillment centers; another noted that regionwide growth can still benefit Newark residents who commute to nearby jobs. Belcher responded that modern industrial buildings are flexible and can support higher-wage advanced manufacturing as well as warehouse functions that are part of local supply chains.
There was no council action required; staff will consider the recommendations during implementation planning and can return with follow-up analyses if council requests further work.
