Concord Weighs Vacant Kmart, Shopping Center for New Housing

City prepares to rezone commercial land to meet state housing mandates.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:23pm

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The City of Concord is moving forward with a plan to rezone at least 20 acres of commercial land, including a vacant Kmart and the Clayton Faire Shopping Center, to allow for the development of more than 1,000 new housing units. This effort is in response to a 2018 state law that requires cities to address segregation and expand housing opportunities in moderate- and high-resource areas.

Why it matters

Like many California cities, Concord is grappling with state demands to increase housing density and meet fair housing requirements. The rezoning of underutilized commercial properties aims to facilitate new residential development without displacing existing residents.

The details

Concord's Planning Commission voted 3-1 in November to recommend the zoning changes, which would impact five sites across the city. These include the vacant Kmart on Clayton Road, the Palm Lakes apartment complex, and two smaller properties near Kirker Pass Road. While a city-commissioned fiscal analysis found that converting commercial land to housing could strain the city's general fund, staff noted that meeting state housing mandates is a priority to retain funding and local control.

  • Concord began the rezoning process in 2021 while developing its latest housing plan.
  • The Planning Commission voted to recommend the zoning changes in November 2026.
  • The Concord City Council will consider the necessary documents to execute the rezoning at their February 24, 2026 meeting.

The players

Concord City Council

The governing body of the City of Concord, which will consider the proposed zoning changes at their February 24, 2026 meeting.

Concord Planning Commission

The city's planning advisory board, which voted 3-1 in November 2026 to recommend the rezoning of commercial properties for new housing.

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What’s next

The Concord City Council will decide on the proposed zoning changes at their February 24, 2026 meeting.

The takeaway

Concord's efforts to rezone commercial land for new housing development reflect the growing pressure on California cities to address the state's housing crisis and meet fair housing requirements. While the fiscal impacts are a concern, the city is prioritizing compliance with state mandates to maintain local control over land use decisions.