On December 20, 2011, the Oakland City Council voted unanimously to file a lawsuit against Piedmont unless Oakland’s objections to the Moraga Canyon Sports Field project (aka Blair Park) can be resolved. The Oakland City Council expressed its continued commitment to resolving their differences with Piedmont and continues to seek a “tolling agreement” with Piedmont (which would extend the 30-day deadline to file a lawsuit). If that does not occur by January 6, 2012, Oakland will file suit against Piedmont to challenge the project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Meanwhile, what action does Friends of Moraga Canyon plan to take? We strongly believe the Addendum to the Blair Park EIR was incomplete and did not analyze the many changes made to the project in the “final” plan approved by the Piedmont City Council on Dec. 5, 2011. Similarly to Oakland, we want the City of Piedmont to conduct a supplemental environmental review, particularly to analyze the new traffic plan (building a roundabout and two pedestrian crosswalks on Moraga Ave.) and new hydrology plan (a “bioswale,” which would affect drainage all the way to Lake Merritt), among other significant changes, including PRFO’s last-minute deletion of the bicycle lane on Moraga Ave. at 4 p.m. on Dec. 5th!

Just like Oakland, FOMC has 30 days (until January 6, 2012) to file a lawsuit to require the City of Piedmont to conduct a Supplemental EIR. We are seriously considering this option in consultation with our attorney and will make a decision before Jan. 6. While Oakland’s objections to the project are similar to FOMC’s, there are differences in our interests, and our decision will not rest on what Oakland decides to do.

Our ongoing legal costs are heavy, and the only way we can continue this fight is with your help. Please make a tax-deductible donation now.

You can donate online by clicking here or by sending a check made out to “Friends of Moraga Canyon” to:

Friends of Moraga Canyon
P.O. Box 70127
Oakland, CA 94612-0127