Burlington Upzones & San Francisco Downzones

Photo by Kevin Davison on Unsplash

Burlington's City Council, in a unanimous vote late Monday, endorsed a significant rezoning scheme aimed at stimulating denser housing development across the city. Named the “Neighborhood Code,” this initiative seeks to relax zoning regulations, enabling an increase in multifamily dwellings and marking a decisive step towards alleviating the housing crunch.

Inside the Vote:

• The ordinance, celebrated by Mayor Miro Weinberger, signifies a groundbreaking shift in Burlington’s approach to housing, easing construction constraints for the first time in nearly seven decades.

• Adjustments under the new code will see low-density areas like the New North End allow for 45% lot coverage (up from 35%), while medium-density regions can go up to 55%, increasing from 40%.

• A newly established “residential corridor” aims to knit together high-density areas with liberalized space utilization, permitting buildings to occupy up to 80% of a lot, without a cap on the number of dwelling units.

Backstory: Originating from a housing action strategy initiated by Weinberger in 2021, the plan aims at doubling the city's housing production in five years through strategic zoning reforms. The council’s adaptation represents a collaborative refinement of the original proposal, incorporating community feedback and expert insights.

Council’s Compromises: The City Council embraced six amendments to fine-tune the ordinance, including restrictions in medium-density areas to ensure developments are scaled to human proportions, responding to community concerns and aiming for a broader consensus.

San Francisco Faced Increased Housing Shortages

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Contrasting Burlington's progressive stance, San Francisco recently witnessed a divisive debate over housing density. Mayor London Breed faced a defeat as the Board of Supervisors overturned her veto against Supervisor Aaron Peskin’s legislation, enforcing NIMBYism along the city’s Northern Waterfront.

San Francisco Supervisors' Bill:

• The legislation targets high-density projects, aiming to preserve the architectural heritage of older buildings in areas like the Jackson Square Historic District.

• The bill purposefully hinders the city's ability to meet urgent housing needs by limiting new constructions in historically rich areas.

• NIMBYs assert the importance of maintaining the city's character and historical sites, viewing the legislation as a balanced approach to development.

• Mayor Breed labeled the board’s decision a "setback" for her housing agenda, highlighting the ongoing struggle to accommodate new housing while preserving the city's unique heritage.

Looking Ahead

As Burlington forges ahead with increasing homes for people, the contrasting situation in San Francisco underscores the complexities and obstacles in the fight for housing. The ongoing struggles in both cities reflect a long way to go in the fight against housing shortages.