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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 10072008 - C.115 s ` Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS f ;:3 '• . m� Costa FROM: Catherine O. Kutsuris, Director `.~ =� County Department of Conservation and Development °�s -J rq c'ux�i DATE: OCTOBER 7, 2008_ SUBJECT: LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR JOINT MTC-ABAG GRANT APPLICATION TO STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE REGIONAL BLUEPRINT PLANNING PROGRAM KNOWN AS FOCUS SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: AUTHORIZE the Chair to sign and submit letter of support on behalf of the Board of Supervisors for the joint MTC-ABAG grant application to the State of California for the Regional Blueprint Planning Program known as FOCUS. FISCAL IMPACT: None. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS: Four Bay Area regional agencies have joined forces to encourage a focused growth and conservation strategy in the Bay Area region through a voluntary, incentive based program called FOCUS. FOCUS unites the efforts of four regional agencies, the Association of Bay Area Governments(ABAG), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Bay Area Air Quality Management District(BAAQMD), and Bay Conservation and Development Commission BCDC), into a single program that partners with local governments to encourage future population growth and development in locations where it can best be accommodated. FOCUS is a long term strategy and the regional agencies are working to direct many existing and future financial incentives to designated Priority Development and Priority Conservation areas. By focusing development in these areas through financial incentives, the aim of FOCUS is to offer employment, housing, and transportation choices for all Bay Area residents, while helping to reduce traffic, protect the environment, and enhance existing neighborhoods. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ❑1S ❑ NO SIGNATURE _ ECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE -APPROVE _OTHER SlGNATURE(S):q446V;1 401L'40� ACTION OF BO ONAPPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND ' / CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD AYES: NOES: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTESTED EIbLPX Contact: P. Roche, DCD-AP (925-335-1242) DAVID TWA, CLERK OF THE cc: Department of Conservation and Development(DCD) BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND J. Bullock,ABAG(via DCD) COUNTY ADNINISTRATOR T' B UdaUi-I , DEPUTY V BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS - continued FOCUS is led by ABAG and MTC with support from BAAQMD 'and BCDC, and it is partially funded by grant from the State of California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. ABAG and MTC are in the process of preparing a grant application to continue funding the FOCUS effort and they have requested a letter of support from the local governments that are participating in the FOCUS effort to accompany the grant submission. ABAG has requested the letter of support be submitted to them by October 8, 2007. Approval of the grant application by the State of California, which will be submitted by MTC-ABAG, will assure the continuation of funds for the planning activities by ABAG under the Regional Blueprint Planning Program known as FOCUS. Contra Costa County stands to potentially benefit from the FOCUS program, because within the unincorporated area ABAG has designated six Priority Development Areas and two Priority Conservation Areas. Staff recommends the Board authorize the Chair to sign the attached letter in support of the joint MTC-ABAG grant application to the state to secure continued funding for planning activities under the FOCUS effort. Attachment(1 item) draft Letter of Support PRW ABAG1100708BO.doc The Board of Supervisors Contra David J.Twa County Administration Building Costa Clerk of the Board 651 Pine Street, Room 106 and Martinez,California 94553-1293 County Oumy County Administrator (925)335-1900 John Gloia, 1st District Gayle B.Uilkema,2nd District 5£^L o Mary N.Piepho,3rd District Susan A.Bonilla,4th District Federal D.Glover,5th District 'FrA ,r October 7, 2008 Mr. Henry Gardner Executive Director Association of Bay Area Governments MetroCenter, 101 8 h Street Oakland, CA 94607 Subject: Support for MTC-ABAG Grant Application, Regional Blueprint Planning Program Dear Mr. Gardner: On behalf of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, I am writing to express our support for the application from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments for the California Blueprint Planning Program. This grant requests funding to support the FOCUS program, a regional collaborative growth strategy for the San Francisco Bay Area, submitted for funding under the Regional Blueprint Planning Program. FOCUS is a voluntary, incentive-based, regional planning program designed to map a more sustainable approach to future growth — specifically to accommodate projected increases in our population and economic growth, while enhancing mobility choices, community livability, social equity and natural resource protection. This innovative planning effort seeks to build region-wide consensus on a preferred land use pattern and identify priority areas for growth and conservation called Priority Development Areas and Priority Conservation Areas). Within the unincorporated area of Contra Costa County there are six adopted Priority Development Areas (PDAs) under both the planned and potential designations, including a joint effort with the City of Richmond for the .North Richmond community and another multi- jurisdictional effort for communities along the San Pablo Avenue Corridor under the auspices of the West Contra Costa County Transportation Advisory Council (WCCTAC). In regard to Priority Conservation Areas, there are several adopted PCA(s) in Contra Costa County, including the Agricultural Core area near Brentwood and the East Contra Costa Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan. The adopted PDAs and PCAs in Contra Costa County represent our efforts to promote more compact development and to protect important natural resources within our county. We voluntarily participate in the FOCUS Program because we believe it is an effective strategy that will not only achieve development and conservation goals for Contra Costa County but also for the San Francisco Bay Area region. Letter to H.Gardner,ABAG re:Regional Blueprint Planning Program Grant Application October 7,2008 Page Two The funds requested will support the region's work to continue the refinement, plan development and implementation of the Bay Area's Smart Growth Policies, Vision and Projections. This vital work will facilitate a more compact regional development pattern and support other regional objectives including transportation efficiency, open space conservation, and an adequate and affordable supply of housing in the region. A comprehensive regional approach to future development is an effective means of ensuring that as our communities grow, precious natural resources are conserved and protected. We support the FOCUS program and what it seeks to achieve for the San Francisco Bay Area and urge you to fund this important work. / Sincerely yours, deral Glover hair, Board of Supervisors FMD AG...d agpn-PDN d 1CAabe