From a City of Piedmont press release on Nov. 13, 2026
The City Council will consider selecting Eden Housing and City Ventures as the development team for new housing in Moraga Canyon at their November 16 meeting — a major step toward realizing the community vision outlined in the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan.
If Council approves the recommendation, the City would begin working with the firms to establish the terms of an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA). This starts the process of working toward a development agreement, without committing the City to a specific project.
The recommendation follows three months of in-depth review by a committee of subject experts, who determined that the pair represents a highly capable development team with the experience, financial capacity, and track record needed to deliver a high-quality project that reflects the community’s vision.
City Council meeting: Moraga Canyon development team selection
Monday, Nov. 16, 6pm | Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue
Zoom
Agenda | Staff Report
Community members can watch and participate in-person or remotely via Zoom.
Extensive review confirms development team’s qualifications
The City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in May 2026 seeking an experienced development partner with the experience, technical expertise, and financial resources to deliver a project that meets the community’s vision and expectations for development in Moraga Canyon.
The Eden/City Ventures proposal identifies Eden Housing as the lead developer and responsible for affordable housing, while City Ventures would be responsible for market-rate housing.
A selection committee with expertise in real estate finance, housing development, land use planning, and architecture conducted an extensive review of the team’s qualifications, including:
• Multiple interviews with the development team
• Review of financial capacity and development experience
• Financial and municipal reference checks
• Established track record, past projects and potential ability to meet the Specific Plan’s requirements
The review found that both firms have strong credentials and demonstrated success delivering high-quality
housing projects in partnership with local governments. Project references consistently described the developers as collaborative, responsive problem-solvers who communicate effectively and engage constructively with communities.
Together, the firms bring more than 70 years of combined experience working with public agencies on development projects. Eden Housing has developed affordable housing communities throughout the Bay Area, including recent projects in Castro Valley, Mountain View, and Fremont. City Ventures has developed residential projects in communities including Novato, Moraga, Oakland, and San Mateo, with a proven record of working closely with local government to create high-quality developments tailored to the needs and character of individual communities.
Selecting a development team is the next step in a lengthy process
The development team’s preliminary concept includes 132 homes on the south side of Moraga Avenue, with 81 affordable apartments and 51 market-rate townhomes. Potential development of future parcels on Abbot Way and Maxwelton Road is proposed following further investigation of topography.
Selecting a development team does not constitute approval of a specific project or authorize construction. If Council authorizes negotiations, staff would work with Eden Housing and City Ventures to develop the terms of an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA), which would return to Council for consideration early next year.
An ENA would establish a formal process for the City and development team to evaluate site conditions, refine development plans, and negotiate the terms of a potential development agreement. Specific development plans, land use approvals, and any potential transfer of City-owned land would be subject to future Council review and approval, with additional opportunities for public engagement.
Throughout this process, the City remains committed to ensuring that development in Moraga Canyon reflects the community’s vision and meets the standards established in the adopted Specific Plan. Moving forward with negotiations allows the City to stay on track with its Housing Element commitments and preserve the opportunity to access $2.1 million in Measure A-1 affordable housing funding currently earmarked for Piedmont.
About the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan
Adopted in October 2025 after more than two years of study and community engagement, the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan establishes a vision for a new neighborhood on City-owned land in Moraga Canyon with up to 132 new homes, including 60 affordable to lower-income households. The plan also outlines road safety improvements and specific requirements for building design, landscaping, and wildfire safety.
Learn more about the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan HERE