| | Published March 26th, 2014
| Town Center Homes: New Plan Gets Traction
| | By Sophie Braccini | | |
Recent modifications made to a proposal by City Ventures to develop the vacant 2.6-acre lot that sits next to the fire station on Moraga Way may turn out to be a preview of Moraga's 21st century look, when the center of town will be completely developed under the Moraga Center Specific Plan.
The first proposal featured attached condominiums of up to three stories; a new, and unpopular, look for Moraga. Zoning allows for up to 20 units per acre in that area but after holding several meetings to gather public input, City Ventures came back with a revised plan that reduces the number of units, keeps most to two stories and includes duplexes along Country Club Drive that are more aligned with the homes across the street. Questions about adequate parking remain the last serious concerns raised by the project's neighbors.
The Design Review Board got its first look at the new plan for City Ventures' Town Center Homes project on March 10 during a study session. The purpose was to make sure that the project conforms to the 2010 Moraga Center Specific Plan and that no major questions remain to be answered. The relatively short hearing went so well for the applicant that the next step will be the formal start of the application process that will lead to the project's construction.
The major modification to the new plan is the reduction of the number of units from 54 to 36. Running perpendicular to Moraga Way would be four rows of between four and six clustered, two-story condominiums, some of them with a loft (a partial, 500-square-foot third story). Each of the 21 units will have a two-car garage, no driveway and a small private yard. Fifteen duplexes would face Country Club Drive, with garages accessible through the back road. Other modifications include a direct access road to Moraga Way (in the previous plan the only access to the development was from Country Club Drive), and more landscaping along Moraga Way and Country Club Drive.
"City Ventures has been doing a great job," said Moraga Country Club resident Wess Beway who went to many of the developer's public outreach meetings. He noted that the remaining concern is parking since many people have three cars and the new proposed units include two-car garages for each home, with no driveway parking, and only 18 additional spots. "No matter what, you'll have cars parked on Country Club Drive, which is a hazard," said MCC resident Jerry Tanner.
During the meeting, members of the Design Review Board discussed options to increase parking availability on Country Club Drive and the possibility of including more variety in the facades of the homes, to create a more custom design look.
City Ventures confirmed that its next step is to incorporate the last recommendations and submit a formal application to the town for the project's construction. (Read a related article on page A9.)
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA