Moraga planning commission backs zoning changes to scenic-corridor rules, sends recommendation to council

The Moraga Town Planning Commission voted 3–1 on Oct. 21, 2025, to recommend that the Town Council adopt amendments to Title 8 of the Moraga Municipal Code governing scenic corridors, including a staff-proposed reduction of certain Moraga Center setbacks from 40 feet to 25 feet and removal of an 8-foot stepback requirement above the first floor.

The commission’s action also endorses reducing the scenic-corridor study area in some places from 500 feet back from the right-of-way to 200 feet, removes an outright ban on portable signs in the corridor front 20 feet, and directs most corridor projects to follow the standard (staff-level) design-review process rather than an automatic Planning Commission hearing. The commission’s recommendation, approved by a 3–1 vote, is advisory to the Town Council; staff aims to bring the ordinance to council on Nov. 12, with a second reading and adoption to follow, and an ordinance effective 30 days after adoption.

Why it matters: the changes are part of the town’s housing-element follow-up work and are intended to reduce regulatory barriers that, staff and some…