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Home My WebLink AboutItem 8.1 Focusing Our Vision Program CITY CLERK File # D@][g][Q]-[3J[QJ AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: June 19, 2007 SUBJECT: Focusing Our Vision (FOCUS) Program Priority Development Area Designation Report Prepared by Mamie R. Nuccio, Associate Planner ATTACHMENTS: Resolution supporting participation in the Focusing Our Vision (FOCUS) program Priority Development Area Designation. RECOMMENDATION: ~ Receive Staff presentation and adopt Resolution (Attachment) ",J/ supporting participation in the Focusing Our Vision (FOCUS) ~ program Priority Development Area Designation. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Focusing Our Vision, or FOCUS, program is a multi-agency, regional planning initiative spearheaded by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in coordination with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). The FOCUS program builds upon regionally adopted smart growth policies and related programs and is one of several projects funded by the State's Regional Blueprint Planning Program. Regional agencies, such as ABAG and MTC, are working in conjunction with local governments to create a specific and shared concept of where growth can be accommodated and what areas need protection in the region. The goal of FOCUS is to support future development patterns that are compact and connected. Regional agencies are currently accepting applications from local jurisdictions for identification of Priority Development Areas throughout the nine county San Francisco Bay Area region. Designation of Priority Development Areas will help focus the region's growth in areas which can accommodate mixed use, infill development near transit and job centers with an emphasis on housing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COPY TO: Page 1 of3 ITEM NO.----8.J G:\Agendas\2007\FOCUS 2007\CCSR Support for PDA 06-19-07 .doc Local jurisdictions which receive a Priority Development Area designation would be eligible to apply for capital grants, planning grants and technical assistance when funding becomes available in the future. Examples of capital grants include funding for transportation projects, including bicycle and pedestrian projects, housing projects, water/sewer capacity, parks/urban greening, streetscape improvements, etc. Examples of planning grants include funding new area-wide specific plans or precise plans, updates to existing plans, preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to implement a plan, etc. Technical assistance includes policy development to implement existing plans, model ordinances, economIC analysis, photo simulations to depict future conditions, local workshops and tours, etc. Application for Priority Development Area Designation Any town, city or county government within the 9 county San Francisco Bay Area region can apply for a Priority Development Area designation. As part of the application, the local government must provide a copy of a resolution adopted by the town/city councilor board of supervisors showing support for involvement in the FOCUS process. Applications for Priority Development Area designation are due by June 29, 2007. Regional agencies will review applications and solicit public comment in September 2007 on the draft recommendations for Priority Development Area designations. The ABAG General Assembly is expected to adopt the Priority Development Area designations in October 2007. Dublin's Proposal for a Priority Development Area Should the City Council decide to adopt a Resolution showing support of participating in the FOCUS program and applying for a Priority Development Area designation, Staff is proposing that the West Dublin BART Specific Plan area, the Transit Center Planning Subarea (Eastern Dublin Specific Plan area) and Town Center Planning Subarea (Eastern Dublin Specific Plan area) be designated as Priority Development Areas (See Figure 1). In order to receive a Priority Development Area designation, local jurisdictions must demonstrate that: I) the area is within an existing community, 2) the area is near existing or planned fixed transit or the area currently has, or is planned to have, comparable bus service, and 3) the area is planned, or is planning for, more housing. The West Dublin BART Specific Plan area, Transit Center Planning Subarea, and Town Commercial Planning Subareas meet the minimum qualifications for Priority Development Area designation. Page 2 of3 Potential Future Funding Sources Jurisdictions with designated Priority Development Areas would be able to apply for funding and technical assistance as soon as Fall 2007. It is unknown at this time how much funding will be available; however, regional agencies have expressed a commitment to securing financial incentives for designated Priority Development Areas. Several incentive sources are being explored to establish a grant program for designated Priority Development Areas such as existing regional agency programs and State level funding sources such as MTC's 2009 Regional Transportation Plan Update, Transportation for Livable Communities and Housing Incentives Program, and potentially Propositions 1 C and 84. CONCLUSION: Designation of Priority Development Areas within the City of Dublin could allow the City to apply for grant funding in the future. Therefore, if the City Council is in support of the proposed Priority Development Area, Staff will submit an application to ABAG by June 29, 2007. In order to satisfy the requirements of the application process, Staff must obtain a Resolution from the City Council expressing support of participation in the FOCUS program. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a Resolution (Attachment) supporting participation in the Focusing Our Vision (FOCUS) program Priority Development Area Designation. Page 3 of3 1 '1/ RESOLUTION NO. XX- 07 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION IN THE FOCUSING OUR VISION (FOCUS) PROGRAM PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREA DESIGNATION WHEREAS, the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in accordance with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Bay Conservation and Development Commission (collectively, the "regional agencies") are undertaking a regional planning initiative called FOCUS; and WHEREAS, FOCUS program goals support a future regional development pattern that is compact and connected; and WHEREAS, the regional agencies seek local government partners to create a specific and shared concept of where growth can be accommodated (Priority Development Area) and what areas need protection (priority conservation area) in the region; and WHEREAS, a Priority Development Area must meet all of the following criteria: (a) within an existing community, (b) near existing or planned fixed transit (or served by comparable bus service) and (c) is planned, or is planning, for more housing; and WHEREAS, local governments in the nine county San Francisco Bay Area are eligible to apply for designation of an area within their community as a Priority Development Area; and WHEREAS, the regional agencies are committed to securing incentives and providing technical assistance to designated Priority Development Areas so that positive change can be achieved in communities working to advance focused growth. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin authorizes submitting an application to designate the West Dublin BART Specific Plan area, Transit Center Planning Subarea and Town Center Planning Subareas within the City of Dublin as Priority Development Areas. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of June 2007 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk G:\Agendas\2007\FOCUS 2007\CC Reso Support for PDA 06-19-07 .doc - 1 - :f--fem1F8'/ 6!IOJ!v7 , '.. .,,' Attachment