| | Published June 21st, 2023
| Community offers additional opinions on Housing Element via two recent surveys
| | | By Vera Kochan | | |
In a continuous effort to keep residents informed and participating in Moraga's Housing Element, the Planning Department conducted two recent surveys in order to gather more feedback concerning hopes and expectations related to housing, safety and growth within town.
Staff's booth at the April 29 Moraga Community Faire and Car Show attracted approximately 30 residents. Additionally, a May 18 Community Housing Meeting at the Hacienda de las Flores had seven residents in attendance.
According to a June 14 staff report presented to the town council by Moraga Planning Director Afshan Hamid and Consultant Barry Miller, the results of both outreach events mirrored each other quite closely. "There were continuing concerns regarding issues such as wildfire mitigation and public transit," the report stated. "The majority of comments seemed to support more amenities linked to housing, such as a desire for more retail, another grocery store, medical facilities, restaurants, and supporting mixed-use development."
Also, "there were additional non-Housing related comments, such as wanting more sports fields. Although some residents have concerns regarding more density and housing, most residents wanted to see the commercial shopping centers redevelop."
The Planning Department continuously updates the town's website with information on affordable housing, as well as resources for developers. For more information visit: www.moraga.ca.us/make-moraga-home.
Moraga's current Housing Element status update with regards to the State of California Housing & Community Development (HCD) was in a holding pattern after its third submission. However, on the afternoon of the Town Council's June 14 meeting, the Planning Department finally received comments back from HCD. Hamid was able to confirm that staff will meet with HCD in the coming week to discuss any changes, and then report back to the council with revisions.
Most of the revisions have to do with Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH), which according to Hamid "comes as no surprise." She assured the town council that everything looks doable and insubstantial, so it appears that Moraga is heading for the Housing Element home stretch. The staff report noted that as of June 6, only three of the cities in Contra Costa County (Oakley, Orinda, and San Ramon) have been found in compliance. |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA