As reported in Beyond Takings and Givings, in 1980 the Town of Moraga adopted a TDR code section designed to preserve its hillsides. On-site development can occur at a density of one unit per five or 20 acres depending on slope characteristics. But landowners can voluntarily choose instead to transfer development to a receiving site at a one-to-one transfer ratio. When the book went to print, no transfers had occurred. Staff believed that the lack of activity was caused primarily because the potential receiving sites could not be sloped land and most of the flat land in the Town was already developed.
In 2002, the Town adopted a new General Plan that strengthens the TDR code provisions. In the sending areas, the new Plan calls for the reduction of density for on-site development in hillside areas, which will increase motivation for landowners to transfer development rather than build on site. The new General Plan also calls for adoption of two specific plans, Moraga Center and Rheem Park, and identifies these specific plan areas as TDR receiving areas. Finally, the 2002 General Plan calls for a review and update of the TDR program to define sending and receiving sites, transfer ratios, incentive strategies and application/approval procedures.
