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Originally scheduled to take place in La Sala at the Hacienda de las Flores, the meeting was moved in order to provide more elbow room for the 35-member advisory committee and the public.
Taking the helm of the introductory meeting was Moraga Planning Director Derek Farmer serving as project manager. Also present was Town Manager Cynthia Battenberg along with outside consultants David Early and Carey Stone from Placeworks, a community design firm. Moraga Mayor Roger Wykle and Vice Mayor Kymberleigh Korpus served as committee chair and vice-chair respectively. Making up the rest of the advisory committee were 32 stakeholders from the town - civic leaders, to business owners, to average citizens - who were chosen to represent their fellow residents of Moraga in deciding how best to revitalize the community.
Each committee member was asked what their hopes were for the town's future. The most common reply was "balance between new commerce and new residences." Other concerns were for traffic congestion that comes with more housing; keeping the small town feel while encouraging growth; and increasing town-gown relations.
The committee's process, stated Early, is to make the rules and present them to the property owner. The committee cannot designate where a building or business will go.
As an attorney, Korpus instructed the members of the importance in adhering to the principles of the Brown Act. The Brown Act is an act of the California State Legislature, authored by Assemblymember Ralph M. Brown in 1953 that guarantees the public's right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies. It was designed to avoid decision-making in secret. For public officials to hold private meetings is against the law and any eventual discussions of more than half of the committee are illegal and could see fines levied and possible jail time.
Many committee members had various questions regarding the Brown Act's regulations and accidentally or unconsciously violating it. Once the meeting was adjourned the Brown Act and its implications were the topics of discussion on the way to the parking lot.
The advisory committee will tackle land use issues regarding commercial and residential development as they pertain to zoning codes. Special opportunities for the MCSP could involve a small hotel or bed and breakfast, a multigenerational community center/gymnasium and a Moraga Ranch with Lafayette-Moraga Trails.
Two additional CAC meetings are scheduled for Sept. 4 and Sept. 19 which the public is also welcome to attend.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA