Concord City Council to vote on rezoning commercial land to allow more housing across the city

Concord, California – Concord is preparing to take a major step that could reshape parts of the city as leaders consider rezoning land to allow for more housing, following a statewide push to address long-standing inequities in housing policy.

City officials say the move is tied to a 2018 state mandate that requires cities across California to update zoning rules and make housing opportunities more fair and accessible. The mandate has already prompted changes in several Bay Area cities, and Concord could soon follow that path.

Concord City Council to vote on rezoning proposal

On Tuesday, the Concord City Council is scheduled to vote on a proposal that would rezone roughly 20 acres of land within the city. The goal is to create more opportunities for housing development, especially in areas that have historically been limited to commercial use.

Last year, San Francisco and Berkeley both updated zoning codes to allow for increased housing density. Concord’s proposal follows a similar approach, focusing on underused or vacant commercial properties rather than established neighborhoods.

City planners said the sites chosen for rezoning were not selected at random. Instead, they were identified through extensive community engagement, including surveys, public workshops, and interviews with residents and property owners. Officials said that feedback helped guide which locations made the most sense for potential housing growth.

Among the properties included in the plan are a vacant Kmart site and portions of the Clayton Faire Shopping Center. These locations were highlighted because of their size, existing infrastructure, and potential to support housing without displacing current residents.

If approved, the rezoning would not immediately result in new construction, but it would change what types of projects could be built on the land in the future. City leaders say the proposal is meant to balance state requirements with local input, while opening the door to more housing options in Concord.

The City Council’s decision could mark a turning point as Concord weighs growth, equity, and long-term planning in a region facing continued housing pressure.