Berkeley council signs off on first reading of West Berkeley MRD zoning, certifies EIR

Berkeley — The City Council voted unanimously March 25 to adopt a first reading of an ordinance creating a new Manufacturing Research & Development (MRD) zoning district in West Berkeley and to certify the project’s final environmental impact report. The measure, aimed at redeveloping the former Pacific Steel Casting site, would modernize manufacturing zoning to encourage high‑density industrial employment, research and laboratory uses and streamline permitting for large campus‑style projects.

Staff presented the ordinance and the EIR during a lengthy hearing. Ashley James, senior planner, said the MRD would allow a typical maximum height of 55 feet with a process to permit up to 105 feet on sites of nine acres or larger and would permit uses intended to support employment and amenities, including research and development, certain retail and public markets. "The proposed MRD would be much more permissive than the existing manufacturing zoning to encourage a campus‑like environment and to bring a more cost‑effective process to the district," James said.

The EIR identified several significant and unavoidable impacts that would remain even with mitigation, including potential demolition of a historic resource at 1306 3rd Street, construction‑period and project‑level air quality impacts and greenhouse‑gas impacts tied to policy conflicts over new natural‑gas connections. Florentina Kraciu, the EIR project manager, told council members that mitigation measures would be required for any future development projects, including project‑specific health risk assessments and compliance with Bay Area Air Quality Management District rules.

Supporters including business groups urged the council to move forward. "Creating a new designated MRD zoning district in Berkeley will provide the infrastructure and regulatory framework necessary to support this fast‑growing and high‑impact industry," Christie Cherilla, policy manager for Biocom California, told the council.

Council members framed the vote as a modernization of outdated industrial rules and a tool to catalyze cleanup and job creation. "This zoning is contemplating potentially a large life‑sciences and research and development campus," Councilmember Keserwani said, adding that the change could help revitalize Gilman Street and generate revenue for the city.

Council also discussed labor and job quality expectations, with members noting that future projects often use project labor agreements and hard‑hat thresholds for large developments. Staff emphasized that future project approvals would require further project‑level permits, toxics remediation plans and regulatory oversight by state agencies where needed.

The action taken was a first reading of the ordinance and certification of the final EIR; the council approved the measure by unanimous consent. Staff recommended, and council accepted, that specific development proposals return for project‑level review and any additional CEQA analysis if required by the details of those proposals.

Next steps: certification of the EIR allows staff and applicants to pursue specific development applications under the MRD framework; any individual project will require the usual building permits, site remediation approvals and permit hearings before construction could start.