In most cities, changing single-family zoning takes a planning commission hearing and a City Council vote. In Albany, it takes something more: signatures from the neighbors. Measure O on the Nov. 3 ballot would remove that step.

The rule Measure O would change

In 1978, Albany voters passed Measure D. Among other things, it allows zoning changes in the city's single-family residential (R-1) areas only if at least 50% of resident voters within 300 feet of the change sign a verified petition approving it, according to the city's impartial analysis as summarized by California Choices. The Albany Scanner reports R-1 covers roughly 440 acres of the city.

R-1 mainly allows one detached home per lot, plus state-mandated options like accessory dwelling units and SB 9 lot splits and duplexes, the Scanner reported.

What a yes or no vote means

A yes vote lets the City Council amend R-1 zoning without majority neighborhood approval, as long as it follows the noticed public hearing and zoning amendment procedures required by state law and the Albany Municipal Code. A no vote keeps the Measure D petition requirement. It needs a simple majority to pass.

Measure O does not itself rezone any land or approve any project. The League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville stressed this point, noting Planning and Zoning Commission review and council action would still be required.

How it got here

The City Council voted June 1 to place Measure O on the ballot. The city's strategic plan includes a goal to develop a ballot measure updating the council's authority over single-family zoning standards, the Scanner reported. It's not the first change to Measure D. In 2016, Albany voters considered Measure N1, which let the council change Measure D's residential parking requirements through the normal zoning process. The League backed it then.

Who supports it

The League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville recommends yes, calling the petition rule "an unusual neighborhood veto" and a constraint on new housing. Check your Alameda County voter guide for the official arguments for and against.

Five other Albany measures

Measure O is one of six Albany measures, O through T. The others cover the street paving and storm drain parcel tax (P), the fire and EMS parcel tax (Q), the business license tax (R), the property transfer tax (S) and a new street tree and lighting tax (T).