Kerry Hillis

The committee held discussions regarding several projects, including a presentation by the Siesta Valley Foundation about a proposed community public space, the funding and location approval for a pear sculpture at Moraga Commons, and an update on the success of the Chalk Haiku Poetry event. Additionally, the committee reviewed the progress of the Annual Work Plan, the timeline for the Bandshell mural signage, and the mapping of locations for the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail sculptures. New business included planning for the upcoming Saint Mary's College Art Crawl, participation in the Chamber of Commerce's 'Walk & Roll' events, and the approval of street light banners.

This General Plan serves as a roadmap for the Town of Moraga's development, travel, work, shopping, building, and living for the next 15 years, with central themes of sustainability and resilience. It outlines policies to make Moraga a more sustainable and resilient community, including focusing growth in commercial centers, promoting greener transportation, encouraging green buildings, prioritizing energy and water conservation, supporting waste reduction, enhancing green infrastructure, optimizing municipal operations, and fostering economic sustainability. The plan aims to reduce the collective carbon footprint, mitigate climate impacts, and ensure the community's ability to withstand and recover from natural disasters.

This Sixth Cycle Housing Element provides a policy framework and implementation plan for addressing housing needs in Moraga from 2023 to 2031. It aims to meet existing and projected housing needs for all population segments, including lower-income and special needs households, by analyzing housing needs, evaluating production constraints, and identifying sites for new residential development.

The Town of Moraga General Plan 2040's Transportation Element aims to enhance travel options, safety, and efficiency across all modes, including driving, transit, bicycling, and walking, while actively working to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The plan outlines goals and policies focused on improving travel safety, developing a sustainable transportation system, creating a multi-modal network, maintaining roadway efficiency, encouraging active transportation and transit use, ensuring an adequate supply of parking, and fostering regional coordination for enhanced mobility and access. The overarching vision is to integrate land use and transportation to build a more sustainable community, focusing on design improvements and reducing vehicle miles traveled.

The committee discussed several ongoing and new business items. Existing business topics included the Pear Commission report, updates on the Saint Mary's College Art Crawl, the Walk & Roll event, the annual work plan, and updates on the bandshell mural banners and seasonal street light banners. New business items addressed the installation of surprise butterflies on the regional trail, planning for the Moraga Community Service Day, and programs related to poetry. Additionally, the committee reviewed liaison updates from local arts and education organizations and received reports from various subcommittees, including those focused on sculptures, events, utility box thematic designs, fundraising, and planning.