Moraga Vision: Winery? Performing Arts Center?

The owner of perhaps the most visible tract of land in Moraga has a distinctive vision of future development — and is inviting community comment on the vision on a public website.

Roger Poynts has a plan for "Painted Rock Winery & Performing Arts Center." The project calls for a vineyard with "wine caves" for storage, a performing arts amphitheater, a park with hiking trails, and residential, "viticultural estate lots." The wine caves are combined with a "black box" stage intended for dinner theater. The project envisions a "hospitality tasting pavilion," as well.

All of that on 85 acres that rise along Moraga Road and Rheem Boulevard — including the "painted rocks" outcropping where you can learn in graffiti and graphic symbols what's on the mind of Campolindo High students.

Poynts had a less diversified application with the town of Moraga five years ago. With new development features in the plan, he said he will need to revise the plan and map. But first, he said, he has put out the new plan on the website and solicited public input. He is asking for emails to poynts@udi-tetrad.com

"It's the best use of the property for the longest term," said Poynts, a civil engineer. "As I've talked to people, the park is something that's a very positive thing for Moraga." He said the plan leaves about 90 percent of the property in a natural state.

He also anticipates town support for revenue reasons. "It's a long-term benefit to have something that will produce more tax revenue for the town," he said.

Poynts said the town gets $361 in taxes from the site now — less than a dollar a day. The hillsides now are empty bot for the cows stepping daintily along contour paths and grazing back the fire danger.

The project would eventually have to gain approval to build on land partially protected by the town's open space ordinance, Moraga Planning Director Shawna Brekke-Read told the Contra Costa Times.