Measure O: Measure O - City Of Albany - Requirement To Zoning Changes Measure

In plain language

Measure O would change how the City of Albany can rezone certain neighborhoods. These are R-1 areas, meant for single-family homes. A YES vote lets the Albany City Council change zoning rules there. The Council would not need a majority of neighborhood voters to approve it. The city would still have to hold public hearings and follow state and city rules. Voter approval was required by Measure D, passed in 1978. A NO vote keeps the current rule. That rule requires neighborhood voter approval for these zoning changes.

Impartial analysis

CITY OF ALBANY CITY ATTORNEY’S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE “O” AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT ZONING CHANGES IN THE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) ZONED AREAS WITHOUT MAJORITY NEIGHBORHOOD VOTER APPROVAL ESTABLISHED BY 1978 MEASURE D, AFTER FOLLOWING THE NOTICED PUBLIC HEARING AND ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT PROCEDURES PRESCRIBED BY STATE LAW AND THE ALBANY MUNICIPAL CODE In 1978, Albany voters approved Measure “D”, a City initiative measure which, among other things, currently provides that any zoning changes to land in the City’s single family residential (R- 1) zoned areas only be permitted if at least fifty percent (50%) of the resident voters within three hundred (300) feet of the proposed change indicate their approval by signing a verified petition to that effect. On June 1, 2026, the City Council voted to place Measure “O” on the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election ballot. If approved by a majority of Albany voters, this Measure would amend the Albany Municipal Code to authorize the City to make zoning changes to land within the R-1 zoned areas from time to time, without majority neighborhood voter approval, after following noticed public hearing and zoning ordinance amendment procedures prescribed by State law and the Albany Municipal Code. The stated purpose of this Measure is to allow greater flexibility for the City Council to respond to changing conditions and promote community goals to encourage additional housing availability and quality, as expressed in t he adopted 2023-2031 General Plan Housing Element, the City Council’s April 2025-2027 Strategic Plan and associated planning documents. By placing Measure “O” on the ballot, the City complies with California Elections Code section 9217 which requires a majority of the Albany voters to approve th e repeal or amendment of a previously voter-approved measure. A “yes” vote on Measure “O” will authorize the City Council to make zoning changes within the R-1 zoned areas without majority neighborhood voter approval, A “no” vote on Measure “O” will not authorize the City Council to make zoning changes within the R-1 zoned areas without majority neighborhood voter approval. The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure “O”. If you desire a copy of the Measure, please ca ll the City Clerk’s Office at [phone number omitted] and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you. /s/ Malathy Subramanian City Attorney

Official ballot arguments

Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.

The official arguments will appear here once both sides’ arguments are on file.