Recreation commission backs Moraga Canyon plan’s recreation provisions, adds call for more city recreation sites

The Piedmont Recreation Commission voted unanimously on June 18 to recommend the City Council adopt the recreation provisions in the draft Moraga Canyon Specific Plan, with two amendments asking the council to broaden community-recreation language and to seek additional sites for recreation as the plan moves forward.

Planning Director Kevin Jackson and consultant Timothy Hagen presented the draft plan, which frames future development options and identifies recreation improvements including a multi-sport field sized to U14 soccer with a baseball/softball overlay, spectator seating, restrooms, batting cages and potential community facilities such as a picnic area, playground or dog park if space allows. Jackson told commissioners the specific plan is a framework rather than a project and that detailed projects would return to the commission when proposed.

Commissioners pressed staff on parking, field sizing and the potential for conflicts between housing and public uses; Kevin Jackson said staff had not generated an estimate of additional parking spaces proposed for Coaches Field and said housing parking would be required on private parcels rather than on public lots. The commission added a recital to the resolution asking the City Council to consider that the planned housing will "will" increase demand on city recreation facilities and to seek additional locations for recreation to offset that effect.

Chair Amir Verani moved the resolution as amended, Christopher Art seconded, and the commission recorded five votes in favor and no dissenting votes. The motion instructed staff to forward the commission’s recommended language to the City Council for its consideration when it takes up the specific plan in the fall.