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.

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.

Local governments with already adopted Priority Development Areas may submit an application form to revise the boundaries of the area or other information. The application should note what the purpose of the revision is in the Narrative Section of the application form and provide updated information.

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 seven 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.
  
  
• Area Information Spreadsheet for Part 2 of the Application
  This Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is provided for applicants to enter information about each priority development area submitted. The spreadsheet contains three worksheets: demographics, housing, and existing and planned land use.
  
  
• Sample Infrastructure Budget for Part 7 of the Application
  This sample budget is provided as a template for entering the cost of infrastructure improvements needed to realize the vision for the priority area.
  
  
• 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 Guzman
   
   Physical address:
   Association of Bay Area Governments
   101 Eighth Street
   Oakland, CA 94607-4756
   Attn: Jackie Guzman
   

Contact Information

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