From a City of Piedmont press release on Sept. 5
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Draft Moraga Canyon Specific Plan and consider making a recommendation to City Council at their regular September meeting:
Planning Commission Public Hearing: Moraga Canyon Specific Plan
Monday, September 8, 5:30 pm | Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue
Zoom: piedmont-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/81755778036
Agenda | Staff Report
The City has received over 70 written comments on the Draft Specific Plan since it was released for review in April. Based on community comments, staff are recommending several changes to the Draft Specific Plan, including:
- Clarifying the type of flashing beacons that will be used to warn motorists of traffic signals and pedestrian crossings
- Requiring the specific traffic safety analysis be conducted at the time of a development agreement to ensure appropriate “stopping sight distance” at intersections and at time of initial design review for driveways
- Providing more flexibility around targeted income levels for affordable housing
- Adding measures to manage potential noise impacts from new development or relocated uses
Community members can watch and participate in-person or remotely via Zoom. For those unable to join, meeting video and presentation materials will be available on the project website after the meeting.
A vision for the future of Moraga Canyon
The product of in-depth study and community engagement beginning in summer 2023, the Draft Moraga Canyon Specific Plan outlines a vision – and the steps needed to bring it to life – for a new neighborhood in Moraga Canyon that would:
- bring new housing to Piedmont, creating opportunities for people of all income levels
- enhance recreational amenities through an expanded sports field and new hiking trail
- improve road safety, with a new bike lane, sidewalks, and traffic signal at Red Rock Road
- model best practices in wildfire resistant construction and landscaping
The Draft Specific Plan details development locations, site improvements, and infrastructure requirements for the construction of an anticipated 199 units of new housing on City-owned land in Moraga Canyon, 60 of which would be affordable to lower income households.The document anticipates development of multifamily residential buildings between 4 and 6 stories and includes two options for where these buildings could be located – either on the north side or the south side of Moraga Avenue. It includes 10 chapters, each one addressing a single topic in detail, with subjects ranging from overall site vision to circulation and traffic safety improvements to building and landscape design. The final chapter outlines an implementation strategy and options for project financing.
The Draft Specific Plan is available for download and review at piedmont.ca.gov/MCSP.
Submit comments online, by email, or by mail
Community members can offer comments on the Draft Specific Plan:
- online at piedmont.ca.gov/MCSPComments
- by email to MoragaCanyonNews@piedmont.ca.gov
- by mail to: Kevin Jackson, Planning & Building Director, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611
The City Council is expected to consider adoption of the Specific Plan in October 2025, following a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Learn more about the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan and view video and materials from past meetings and events at piedmont.ca.gov/MCSP.
Photos courtesy of the City of Piedmont