Council approves Carlton Street vacation after intense public pleas from people living there and service providers

The Berkeley City Council approved an ordinance vacating a portion of Carlton (Carlson) Street that city staff said will allow an adjacent biotech campus to consolidate a small stretch of right‑of‑way. The vote followed lengthy public testimony from people living on the street, service providers and company representatives.

Public testimony and concerns Multiple residents and service providers implored the council to delay or modify the vacation to avoid displacing people who currently use the street as living space. Speakers asked for extra time to move possessions and said outreach and offers of shelter have been inconsistent. A number of speakers described lost belongings and difficulty accessing city storage after sweeps.

Representatives from a local biotech partner group and company employees said the company has invested in workforce and community programs and supported the street consolidation for campus safety and maintenance. A representative from Biotech Partners said the company has funded local workforce training and internships and requested the council permit the vacation so the campus can better manage surface‑water drainage and operations.

City response on homelessness outreach The city manager said the Homeless Response Team has been visiting Carlton, compiling a list of names and cross‑referencing shelter eligibility, and will continue outreach; staff acknowledged limited shelter capacity and stressed matching people with services and options on a case‑by‑case basis.

Council action After closing the public hearing, the council took a roll‑call vote and recorded the ordinance as approved. Councilmembers recorded affirmative votes and the clerk announced that the motion carried. The council also noted it will convene a future special meeting to receive the auditor’s report on the homeless response team and continue work on service delivery.

Quotes Resident speaker: "I'm asking for at least a 30‑day, 6‑month extension ... they take my phone about 6 in 10 and that's all I'm really actually doing is helping out new owners..." Biotech Partners executive Linda Dayton: "Bayer has funded Biotech Partners to train young people for quality biotech jobs here in the Bay Area... Bayer has been a committed partner in making a difference." City Manager (staff): "The HRT has been in Carlton, and we'll continue to go down... figure out who's there, put together a list of names and cross reference with what services people are eligible for in the system."

Ending Council members closed the public hearing, approved the street vacation ordinance as presented, and scheduled continued oversight of homelessness response via a forthcoming special meeting and auditor presentation on HRT performance.