Development of a $100 million high-rise hotel in downtown Berkeley has ground to a halt as the city prepares to vote on Measure R, which would prohibit Berkeley's zoning board from granting special permits to buildings that don't meet the current height and setback requirements. The hotel is set to replace a one-story Bank of America and would need a permit to rise to its planned 180 feet. Measure R would also require tall buildings to meet LEED Platinum environmental standards and to have parking on-site. Berkeley mayor Tom Bates feels confident that Measure R will fail and has donated $11,000 to the No on Measure R campaign. [SF Business Times]
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