FOCUS applications for Priority Development Area designation are accepted on a rolling basis. Local governments in the nine county San Francisco Bay Area are invited to apply for regional designation of an area within their community as a Priority Development Area. These areas help inform regional and state agencies where incentives and assistance are needed to support local efforts that encourage infill development near transit. Many local governments are already participating and have been eligible to apply for a variety of capital funds and planning grants for the Priority Development Areas within their jurisdiction.

Applying to Become a PDA

Applications for Priority Development Area designation will be reviewed and evaluated, and areas that meet the designation criteria will be recommended for regional adoption as designated Planned or Potential Priority Development Areas. In general, these categories relate to readiness for funding: a Planned area would be eligible for capital infrastructure funds, planning grants, and technical assistance while a Potential area would be eligible for planning grants and technical assistance, but not capital infrastructure funds. Click here to learn more about the application review process.

Formalizing Growth Opportunity Areas as PDAs

Growth Opportunity Areas were submitted by local government staff for consideration in the Initial Vision Scenario. In 2012, a Preferred Scenario will be identified and will serve as the basis for a draft Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS). In addition, regional agencies are proposing financial incentives for Priority Development Areas through the OneBayArea Grant program. To be incorporated into the SCS and eligible for future funding, Growth Opportunity Areas will need to be formalized as Priority Development Areas. See below for PDA application materials. Key upcoming dates for submitting a PDA application in time for consideration in the SCS and OneBayArea grant program are as follows:

• December 16, 2011: Jurisdictions submit completed PDA applications
• January 2012: Staff review of applications received
• January 30, 2012: Deadline for submitting local resolutions in support of PDA Application
• February 1, 2012: Staff PDA recommendations presented to ABAG Regional Planning Committee with Planned/Potential status (being rescheduled)
• March 15, 2012: Staff PDA recommendations presented to ABAG Executive Board for final adoption with Planned/Potential status

This timeline, along with the addition of new Place Types and criteria for PDA designation, were approved by the ABAG Executive Board at its September 2011 meeting. For more information, see the Application Guidelines for PDA Designation, below.

Changing the Status of an Existing PDA

A Potential PDA can move to Planned status once a plan has been completed for the area. Anything less than adoption by the City Council or Board of Supervisors (“accepting” the plan, moving forward on implementation without adoption, etc.) is not sufficient to meet this requirement. To complete the status change, applicants should submit a copy of the adopted plan and the adopting resolution to the FOCUS Staff for your jurisdiction. Applicants will also be asked to complete the PDA Assessment survey. Click here for more details about the review process for revision requests.

Revisions to an Existing PDA

To revise an existing PDA, local governments should contact the FOCUS Staff for their jurisdiction. Local staff will be asked to submit an updated application (map, narrative, jobs and housing numbers, etc.) to provide accurate and up-to-date information about the revised area.

If the revision is to a Potential PDA, then the applicant should submit an updated infrastructure budget. If the revision is to a Planned PDA, then the applicant should submit an updated PDA Assessment Survey. A new resolution is not required.

Application Materials - Click on each item to download

• Application Guidelines for Priority Development Area Designation
  The application guidelines include a program overview, eligibility for applicants and areas, designation criteria definitions, application review process, timeline for priority development area designation, application form and submission instructions, and contact information.
  
  
• Application for Priority Development Area Designation
  The application has six parts. Some information can be filled in directly in the Microsoft Word document, while some information will need to be provided as a separate attachment.
  
  
• Station Area Planning Manual for Part 1(e) of the Application
  Use the Station Area Planning Manual as a guide to identify a Place Type that most closely aligns with the vision for the area being submitted.
  
  
• Infrastructure Budget for Part 6 of the Application
  This Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is provided for applicants to enter information about the infrastructure improvements needed and funding sources available to realize the vision for the priority area.
  
  
• PDA Assessment Survey
  This Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is provided for applicants to enter detailed information about the priority area. Applicants for new PDAs will be asked to complete this spreadsheet if FOCUS Staff decides to recommend adoption as a Planned PDA after review of the application. This should be also completed by applicants requesting changes to an existing Planned PDA or moving from a Potential PDA to Planned status.
  
  
• Sample Local Government Resolution
  This sample local government resolution is provided as a template for requesting support from the applicant's council or board of supervisors for participation in the FOCUS program through PDA designation.

Application Submission Instructions

1. Fill out the Application in the Microsoft Word Document and compile the documents requested in the application form for each area.
   
   
2. Submit an electronic version of the application form and associated documents requested in the application for each area to FOCUS@abag.ca.gov.
   
   
3. Mail one hard copy of the application and attachments for each area to the following mailing address:

   Association of Bay Area Governments
   P.O. Box 2050
   Oakland, CA 94604-2050
   Attn: Jackie Reinhart
   
   Physical address:
   Association of Bay Area Governments
   101 Eighth Street
   Oakland, CA 94607-4756
   Attn: Jackie Reinhart
   

Contact Information

For questions regarding the application, please contact Jackie Reinhart, ABAG Regional Planner
at JackieR@abag.ca.gov or 510-464-7994. However, prior to submitting an application, you are encouraged to contact the FOCUS Staff for your jurisdiction and discuss the goals for the proposed area.