Politics & Government

Friends of Moraga Canyon to Decide on Blair Park Litigation This Week

FOMC decision won't hinge on City of Oakland's actions

Friends of Moraga Canyon, a nonprofit group opposed to the Blair Park sports field plan, will decide this week whether to file a lawsuit against the City of Piedmont, according to an announcement on the organization's website.

"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," the announcement says.

"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.

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"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."

Find out what's happening in Piedmontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The $6 million-plus Blair Park project, which would be privately financed through donations raised by the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO), has engendered both strong support and strong opposition. Proponents say the city badly needs more practice space for youth sports teams; opponents cite traffic, noise and other environmental concerns.

The Piedmont City Council approved the Addendum to the Blair Park EIR and took other steps to move the project forward during a marathon meeting on Dec. 5-6.

Oakland City Council members voted 8-0 Dec. 20 to challenge the City of Piedmont's approval of the proposed Blair Park sports field project in court if the two cities cannot agree to extend the deadline for filing a lawsuit.

For previous Piedmont Patch coverage of the issue, see our Blair Park page.


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