Capital Improvement Projects Recommendation Highlights:

• $1.1 million for artificial turf and lights at Coaches Playfield (85% of available funding)

• $200,000 split among 4 other projects.

• Public input on use of remaining half of church building – 801 Magnolia

> Click to read more…

The alternative plans for Moraga Canyon can be reviewed on the city website:

http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/recreation/docs/mcsfp/2011-02-24_planning_comm/oraftik.pdf

http://www.ci.piedmont.ca.us/recreation/docs/mcsfp/2011-01-19_rec_comm/blackwell_alt.pdf

Another plan can be obtained from the Recreation Department – this is the EIR for Coaches Field which found no significant impacts from the development of regulation soccer and baseball fields and relocation of the Corporation Yard to Blair Park.  That plan was not implemented, but its design for Coaches Field shows how that site can be modified to accommodate the large soccer field/baseball field proposed for Blair Park.   Just like Blair Park, the Coaches EIR identified a need to get pedestrians safely across Moraga Avenue so traffic analyses currently being prepared for Blair Park can likely be used to complete the Coaches EIR.

Environmental impact, aesthetics and construction costs aside, Ms. Peters does identify two keys differences between the proposals that bear on the costs to the city of Moraga Canyon development.  One is underground infrastructure. The Blair proposal requires relocation of private and city sewer and water lines and the construction of underground storage vaults to store storm water runoff. The construction and operation costs of this infrastructure has not been determined (sic).   The Coaches proposal does not require this infrastructure. Likewise, the city takes on the liability of earthquake and other damage to this infrastructure and potentially to the private residences above Blair Park. The Coaches proposal has virtually none of this liability.

A special meeting for a final decision on the design for the Moraga Canyons Sports Fields project has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 14 in City Hall.

Editor’s Note: Councilman Keating’s comment is in response to a question regarding publication of alternative plans for Coaches Field and Blair Park.  Read original post and comments at: Opinion: Working Together on a Plan to Enlarge Coaches Field

Comment during Open Forum at the Recreation Commission meeting of May 18, 2011:

The Recreation Commission’s contribution is so vital to Piedmont. Our town’s excellent recreational facilities are a testament to the job you do. I have lived in Piedmont for a very long time and there have seen so many additional sports facilities brought on line.  The downside of this expansion is the loss of mixed-use facilities, such as Linda Beach.   Family and passive recreational opportunities have been entirely superseded by organized sports clubs. > Click to read more…

A letter to the Fire Department requests additions to Piedmont’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan prior to approval and submission to FEMA > Click to read more…

A letter from Barbara Peters Urging a Meeting Between PRFO and FMC to find a Blair Park Solution

Dear Editor,

It’s time to end the divisiveness around the issue of Moraga Canyon and Blair Park and to look for creative solutions.

The Piedmont sports clubs desire additional field space in town since their lease in Alameda expires in the fall of 2012. If  Piedmont Recreation Facilities Organization (PRFO) is willing to meet with Friends of Moraga Canyon (FMC), perhaps we could find common ground. Two well respected architects, Bill Blackwell and Chuck Oraftik, have each drawn excellent plans for enlarging Coaches Field. An enlarged Coaches Field would provide much of the field space that the private clubs are seeking.

There are many advantages to enlarging Coaches Field: > Click to read more…

The Recreation Commission meeting on May 18 will include an update on the Moraga Canyon Sports Facilities from Mr. Mark Delventhal, Recreation Director .   The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 12 Vista Avenue.  It will be videotaped and viewable on KCOM.   The Moraga Canyon update will follow a public hearing on pool fees.  See Ageneda.

The City of Piedmont issued the following notice regarding weed abatement which will be done at Blair Park, noting this work is unrelated to the Moraga Canyon Sports Field Proposal.  No chemicals will be used to abate the weeds, only a mechanical “weed-eater.” > Click to read more…

The Friends of Moraga Canyon announce an event at Crocker Park on Arbor Day

Friends of Moraga Canyon (FOMC) is pleased that Piedmont is planting one new oak tree in Crocker Park in honor of Arbor Day, Friday, April 22nd. At the same time, FOMC has invited its supporters to take part in a  quiet “witness” for the 55 mature oak trees and the existing ecology and terrain at Blair Park that the organization is striving to preserve.

The City’s celebration will take place at Crocker Park on Friday, April 22, at 12:30 pm. FOMC supporters will stand nearby on King near Hampton, holding banners and signs.

FOMC’s goal is to save the oak woodland, plus 100 more trees, that would be sacrificed to build soccer fields in Blair Park. FOMC, with over 950 endorsers, seeks a win-win solution to end the divisiveness in Piedmont over the proposed sports field project. FOMC supports an alternative plan to enlarge Coaches Field into a full-size soccer field that could serve much of the need for field space without destroying the environment.

The city has invited Smokey the Bear to attend the tree-planting to remind everyone of the “importance of urban forests, which provide shade and habitat for birds and help clean the air.”

Here are some of the other benefits trees provide:

–A single urban tree can provide up to $273 a year in pollution fighting, erosion and storm water control, air conditioning and wildlife shelter benefits. (Source: American Forests)

–Trees can reduce noise by up to 50 percent. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

–A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000. (Source: Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers)

–Trees not only brighten city streets and delight nature-starved urbanites; now scientists are discovering that they also play a crucial role in the green infrastructure of America’s cities. As we humans wrestle with how to repair the damage we have wrought on nature, and how to slow climate change, urban trees offer an obvious low-tech solution. (Source: “What Is a Tree Worth?” by Jill Jonnes, Wilson Quarterly, Winter 2011)

–A study in NYC found that the average street tree intercepted 1,432 gallons of water runoff, a service worth $61. (Source: “What is a Tree Worth?” by Jill Jonnes, Wilson Quarterly, Winter 2011)

–The new natural science gallery being created at the Oakland Museum is focusing on stewardship and conservation of our own habitats. Nature is not just a place in a state park 3 hours away, but the incredible biodiversity in our backyard!

(This letter expresses the personal opinions of the author. All statements made are the opinion of the writer and not necessarily those of the Piedmont Civic Association.)

The Piedmont City Council will not meet on April 25^th to take up the Moraga Canyon Sports Fields project.  When a rescheduled date is determined, it will be announced with full public notice.  To ensure that members of the public have sufficient time to review project information prior to the meeting, the City indicates that full project documents will be posted on the City’s web site at least 10 days in advance.

A letter urging the Council to return the PRFO’s proposal to the Planning Commission after approval

On Feb. 24, 2011,  the Piedmont Planning Commission found the Blair Park proposal did not meet basic design or aesthetic elements normally required in Piedmont.  On Wednesday, March 2, the Piedmont Post published the first salvo of what was to become the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO) campaign to nullify the Planning Commission.  > Click to read more…