Commission urges council to account for recreation impacts as Moraga Canyon housing proceeds

Several commissioners voiced concern that adding multifamily housing in Moraga Canyon will increase demand on city recreation facilities and programming. Commissioner Sean Burns and others asked staff whether the plan or subsequent development agreements would protect access to public fields; staff responded that housing parcels must provide on-site parking but that city public lots would remain available for public use and that the specific plan’s phasing ties some infrastructure improvements to housing timelines.

Commissioner discussion focused on whether the plan adequately preserves or expands recreation capacity. Board members proposed and adopted an amendment asking the City Council to "consider that increased population will will dramatically increase demand on city recreation facilities" and to seek additional locations for recreation facilities. Staff noted that Program 1k directs a city services impact-fee study to evaluate the nexus between multifamily development and service costs and funding options.

Local coaches and parents told the commission they are already turning players away and urged that the council consider field- and facility-capacity implications before approving development projects. The commission’s amendment asks council to examine recreation supply alongside housing plans and to consider funding or site options to maintain service levels.