Five Parcels, 1,000 Homes: Concord Public Meeting Tomorrow To Weigh Rezoning

CONCORD, CA —The Concord City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday on a proposal to rezone at least 20 acres across five sites to allow more than 1,000 potential housing units as part of the city’s state-mandated fair housing plan.

The hearing, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., continues discussions that began Jan. 27, when councilmembers directed staff to prepare documents to apply land-use zoning to several properties, including the former Kmart site, Clayton Faire, Palm Lakes, 5390 Myrtle Drive, and 1539 Kirker Pass Road.
City staff said the rezoning would increase residential density from about 24 units-per-acre to as many as 60 units-per-acre, but would not require demolition or redevelopment. Property owners could keep existing uses, with housing construction remaining voluntary.

The rezoning effort stems from a 2018 California law requiring cities to address segregation and expand housing opportunities in "moderate- and high-resource" neighborhoods. Concord began the process in 2021 while preparing its latest city-wide housing plans.

Similar zoning changes have been adopted across the state, including in Healdsburg, San Francisco, and Berkeley, as local governments adjust land-use policies to comply with state housing mandates.
Tuesday’s meeting is part of a series of hearings related to the city’s implementation of the program.

If you go: The meeting begins 6:30 p.m. in the Concord Council Chamber, 1950 Parkside Drive. The meeting agenda and materials for the meeting are available on the agenda and materials page, including links to join the meeting remotely and submit comments. Additional information on the rezoning program: www.cityofconcord.org/AFFH

MORE: Vacant Kmart, Shopping Center Weighed As Sites For New Housing

Concord To Hold Community Meetings On Rezoning For Housing