Sign, help gather signatures for the new Moraga Open Space initiative

Friends of Moraga Open Space is about to circulate a new version of the Moraga Open Space Ordinance 2008 (MOSO 2008). This initiative, written by Moraga's open-space guardians to protect ridgelines, key wildlife habitat, and scenic hillsides, will place reasonable limits on future development of over 1,000 acres of Moraga's remaining open space. It will restrict development in Indian Valley, in Bollinger Canyon, and on open-space land adjacent to Rheem Boulevard by allowing only very-low-density residences, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and other open-space uses. It also includes strong protections for undeveloped ridgelines.

Why a new version? Last November, Friends announced that it had gathered 1,700 signatures, more than enough to place MOSO 2008 on the ballot. Before Friends had turned in the signatures, however, the Moraga Country Club Board of Directors sent a letter alleging that MOSO 2008 would be harmful to the country club. In the spirit of cooperation, and to keep a side issue from distracting voters from the measure's primary goal of protecting undeveloped open space, the Friends of Moraga Open Space decided to withdraw the original version. The revised version does not encompass the Moraga Country Club, and we expect that it will appear on the November ballot.

To confuse the issue, however, Moraga's largest private landowner (Bruzzone) has circulated a countermeasure, the mis-titled "Moraga Open Space, Parks & Recreation Ordinance of 2008". It is not yet clear whether the measure will appear on the June or November ballots, but what is clear is that it would severely harm Moraga's open space. It purports to offer partial funding for sports facilities and road repairs, but only if the town first approves two major new housing developments - as many as 400 houses - in Indian Valley and Bollinger Canyon, Moraga's most pristine remaining open spaces. It would do nothing to protect the open space along Rheem Boulevard from the proposed Rancho Laguna development. The measure is an apparent effort to defeat MOSO 2008. Vote no on the "Moraga Open Space, Parks & Recreation Ordinance of 2008" when it appears on the ballot.

"This new developer initiative pretends it's about protecting open space, but in reality it's an attempt by the developer to buy votes so he can build hundreds of houses on open space," said Susan McNeill, a member of the Friends of Moraga Open Space.

WhatYouCanDo

Moraga residents can sign the new MOSO 2008 petition when it's circulated in March and April. We need you to sign the new version, even if you signed the original one in the fall. Vote yes on MOSO 2008 in November. Vote no on the "Moraga Open Space, Parks & Recreation Ordinance of 2008" whenever it appears.

To help gather signatures for MOSO 2008, contact or call (510) 848-0800, ext. 305