Editor:
MOSO and its associated municipal code zoning rules are cherished by most Moragans as a needed protection for Moraga's open space. These protections have served the Town well for almost 30 years.
At its September 9 meeting, on a 3 to 2 vote, the Moraga Town Council waived the first reading and voted to approve a zoning text amendment (ZTA) that further weakens Moraga's open space provisions. This ZTA is a prerequisite for one commercial enterprise to proceed with its permit process to establish a for-profit recreation business, to be located in a quiet residential neighborhood at the former Moraga Tennis and Swim Club. Purportedly, this unneeded ZTA applies only to MOSO-zoned open space but the same zoning provisions presently exist for non-MOSO open space. Similar provisions exist for most of Moraga's residential neighborhoods as well. This ZTA sets a dangerous precedent for future zoning revision and further weakening of Moraga's open space protections. Is this what most Moragan's want for their community? I think not. Please see the Contra Costa Times article on the September 9 meeting at: http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_28791683/former-moraga-lawmaker-cries-foul-over-proposed-use.
This ZTA was put before the Planning Commission on August 3 where a majority of the Planning Commission refused to support this proposed ZTA, instead providing recommendations to the Council as to how to proceed, recommendations that a majority of the Council apparently chose to ignore.
If you truly value your open space protections, act now before it is too late. Write to all five council members and tell them that you do not want MOSO's zoning provisions weakened in any way. Attend the next council meeting when the second reading and final decision on this ZTA will be made, and express your concerns during public comment.
Clay Serrahn
Moraga
MOSO and its associated municipal code zoning rules are cherished by most Moragans as a needed protection for Moraga's open space. These protections have served the Town well for almost 30 years.
At its September 9 meeting, on a 3 to 2 vote, the Moraga Town Council waived the first reading and voted to approve a zoning text amendment (ZTA) that further weakens Moraga's open space provisions. This ZTA is a prerequisite for one commercial enterprise to proceed with its permit process to establish a for-profit recreation business, to be located in a quiet residential neighborhood at the former Moraga Tennis and Swim Club. Purportedly, this unneeded ZTA applies only to MOSO-zoned open space but the same zoning provisions presently exist for non-MOSO open space. Similar provisions exist for most of Moraga's residential neighborhoods as well. This ZTA sets a dangerous precedent for future zoning revision and further weakening of Moraga's open space protections. Is this what most Moragan's want for their community? I think not. Please see the Contra Costa Times article on the September 9 meeting at: http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_28791683/former-moraga-lawmaker-cries-foul-over-proposed-use.
This ZTA was put before the Planning Commission on August 3 where a majority of the Planning Commission refused to support this proposed ZTA, instead providing recommendations to the Council as to how to proceed, recommendations that a majority of the Council apparently chose to ignore.
If you truly value your open space protections, act now before it is too late. Write to all five council members and tell them that you do not want MOSO's zoning provisions weakened in any way. Attend the next council meeting when the second reading and final decision on this ZTA will be made, and express your concerns during public comment.
Clay Serrahn
Moraga
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA