Applying to Become a PDA
Applications for new PDAs will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. The quarters for the year include: January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December. Applications received within a quarter will be reviewed at the start of a new quarter. For instance, the review process for an application received in February will begin in April.

For new PDAs, the application review process involves the following steps:

1. Upon receipt, applications will be checked for completeness and eligibility.
   
2. FOCUS staff will recommend designation of eligible areas as a Planned or Potential Priority Development Area based on the planning status for the area’s development vision and submission of the supporting local government resolution. To qualify for Planned PDA Status, the plan for the area should:
   
   1. Include a map designating the land uses for the plan area
      
   2. Identify densities/development intensities for plan land uses
      
   3. Include implementing actions/an implementation plan
3. If staff recommends designation as a Planned PDA, the applicant will be asked to complete a PDA Assessment Survey to provide more detailed information about the priority area.
   
4. Staff recommendations will be presented to ABAG’s Regional Planning Committee (RPC) for approval and then to ABAG’s Executive Board for regional adoption.
   

FOCUS staff will be in communication with applicants throughout the application process to discuss their application.

Please note: To be incorporated into the SCS and eligible for future funding, Growth Opportunity Areas will need to apply to become Priority Development Areas. 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
• March 15, 2012: Staff PDA recommendations presented to ABAG Executive Board for final adoption with Planned/Potential status

Changing the Status of an Existing PDA
To change the status of a PDA from Potential to Planned, contact the FOCUS Staff person for your jurisdiction. He or she will review the adopted plan to ensure that it:

1. Includes a map designating the land uses for the plan area
   
2. Identifies densities/development intensities for plan land uses
   
3. Includes implementing actions/an implementation plan
   

Applicants for a status change will be asked to complete a PDA Assessment Survey. Upon review of the plan and the completed PDA Assessment Survey, FOCUS Staff will submit the revision request to the ABAG Planning Director for approval. This revision does not need to be approved by the RPC or Executive Board.

Revisions to an Existing PDA
Other revisions to an existing PDA will be reviewed by the FOCUS Staff for your jurisdiction, who will assess whether the revised PDA will:

1. Result in a recognizable “neighborhood,” as identified by the local jurisdiction or planning done to date
   
2. Remain consistent with the PDA eligibility criteria
   
   

After review by FOCUS Staff, the revision request will be submitted to the ABAG Planning Director for approval. This change does not need to be approved by the RPC or Executive Board.