Plan Bay Area: What Lamorinda Elected Officials Have To Say

Plan Bay Area, an attempt to manage the expected growth in the Bay Area through 2040, was developed by two regional agencies—the Association for Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transit Agency (MTA). The plan was approved on July 19 after a raucous and rambunctious group of 160 opponents urged its demise.

The approved plan calls for new housing around transit centers like BART in the nine Bay Area counties. In Contra Costa, the plan calls for cities to change zoning laws that make way for apartments and condominium projects around BART stations. The new units would be a mix of low-, moderate-, and high income homes.

By locating new housing around transportation centers, the thinking goes, it will also reduce the level of greenhouse gases such growth is expected to generate.

The plan has its supporters in Lamorinda, but it has also generated a hothouse of opposition from those who feel their small-town, upscale way of life is under attack from unelected bodies engaged in social engineering.

The Plan Bay Area website, and Lamorinda elected officials all point out that, while the increased housing numbers are required to be adopted by each city’s housing plan, each city retains the right to approve or reject individual projects based on environmental and other factors. However, zoning particular parcels of land for multi-family housing can make it more difficult for cities to reject projects without facing lawsuits from developers.

And, while cities can choose to ignore the Plan Bay Area housing numbers, they face the loss of local, state and federal transportation money if they do.

There has been vehement opposition in Lamorinda to the plan. Among the opponents are Orinda Watch, which organized a petition drive against the plan, and SaveOrinda. Another group, Orindavision, supports new growth in downtown Orinda. 

Lamorinda Patch has asked local officials to weigh in on their views of Plan Bay Area. Here is what they have to say:

Lafayette:

The Lafayette City Council has written several letters to the agencies in charge of Plan Bay Area, asking for a reduction in the number of housing units assigned to the downtown area. Though the city did receive a new designation from Transit Town Center to Transit Neighborhood, it did not receive a commensurate reduction in the number of units the plan calls for downtown. The plan calls for 990 units downtown by 2040, while the city’s general plan calls for 815. The additional housing could cause unmanageable traffic, parking, and other problems, according to a letter from Mayor Mike Anderson.

City Councilwoman Terri Reilly:  

“I’m concerned that the housing and jobs numbers are still pretty high. We got the numbers adjusted somewhat, but not at a place that makes sense for our community. We already have a traffic and congestion problem. Some of the numbers assigned to us probably won’t work. We’re trying to work within the confines of the process, but we haven’t gotten relief yet.

“The most recent letter got our designation changed from transit to neighborhood vs. transit village, which is higher numbers. We did not get the numbers that should go with that changed. On one hand, we have a better designation, but so far through the process, they’re holding firm on the numbers assigned for next four years. When the next round comes around, hopefully there will some adjustments.

“We’re all learning as we go. It’s all sort of a work in progress. I’m not sure how this will play out. We’re trying very hard to advocate for our community, and make numbers that are realistic for our community. We don’t have the ability to just grow.”

Vice Mayor Don Tatzin:

“Plan Bay Area is generally consistent with Lafayette's general and specific plans, so I do not think there will be much impact.  By commenting on drafts of the plan frequently, Lafayette successfully achieved modifications in the Final Plan.  We must continue to be diligent in ensuring that local communities retain the ability to review applications and approve projects that are consistent with local plans.

Orinda:

Amy Worth (Orinda Mayor, MTC Chair)

• This is a locally oriented plan that pivots off transportation and land use priorities identified at the city council and county board of supervisors level. Cities continue to have control over their local land use decisions. 
• The land use strategies are linked to each jurisdiction’s local input and priorities, the transportation strategies reflect priorities advanced by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and by the city councils in Contra Costa and elsewhere.
• Here in Lamorinda and throughout Contra Costa, the countywide “Shaping Our Future” effort will have far more to do with how we grow than anything in Plan Bay Area.
• Focusing growth in locally selected areas will make it easier for us to retain the unique character of single-family neighborhoods.
• The plan respects the Bay Area’s diversity; it emphasizes different kinds of investments and development for different parts of the region. Big cities like San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland are expected to get bigger. Smaller towns like Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda retain their small town qualities.
• In terms of transportation, Plan Bay Area prioritizes taking care of the streets, roads, highways and transit systems we already have. It also includes funding to maintain local streets and roads, and for the operation and maintenance of systems like BART and County Connection — though the needs exceed available funds.  Because Orinda residents commute from home to jobs throughout the Bay Area, having a robust transportation network, including both transit and highways is especially important
• Plan Bay Area will be updated every four years to reflect new priorities. As with this plan, much of the future implementation will be at the local level, and it will reflect local values and vision for the future. Our next plan can be guided and improved by that work and vision.
• I think Plan Bay Area is an important next step for our region. We live in one of the most wonderful places on earth. Planning now will ensure that we take the steps needed to keep our towns and our region wonderful for the next generation.

City Councilman Steven Glazer:

“I support local control of land use planning. To the extent that the One Bay Area plan does not infringe on the ability of Orinda to determine our destiny, I don't have a problem with it.”

Janet Keeter, City Manager:

“Plan Bay Area does not mandate any changes to the land use policies of the City of Orinda. 

“All development proposals in Orinda are subject to a rigorous public review process that provides an opportunity for concerned residents to be heard and that ensures development adheres to local design criteria and land use values.  Plan Bay Area has no effect on Orinda’s ability to continue to review and approve or deny development proposals in our community.”

Patch requested comments from all five Moraga Town Council members, but as of deadline no response has been received.