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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04142007 - C.89 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS . = Contra FROM: DENNIS M. BARRY, AICP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR _=wr Costa County DATE: August 14, 2007 SUBJECT: Priority Conservation Areas Nominations to Association of Bay Area Governments Focusing Our Visions Program . SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS AUTHORIZE the Community Development Director or his designee to nominate the priority conservation areas designated in the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan and the Agricultural Core area designated in the County's General Plan as Priority Conservation Areas in response to the Association of Bay Area Government's request for nominations. FISCAL IMPACT No impact on the general fund. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is requesting nominations for Priority Conservation Areas as a part of the Focusing Our Visions Program. ABAG seeks to identify on a region-wide basis areas that are a priority for conservation in order to help coordinate efforts across the region and to help direct funding to regional priorities. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS As part of its efforts to develop a coordinated regional approach for dealing with regional issues such as housing, jobs, transportation and open space, ABAG has launched the Focusing Our Visions Program (see attached summary). (continued on next page) CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: x YES SIGNATURE be�� ECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE L C PROVE _ OTHER SIGNATURES ACTION OF B D ON -2 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED ,L—O R VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE ,CUNANIMOUS (ABSENT t�I,o — ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: / (9251335-1227) cc: John Kopchik, Community Development ATTESTED JOHN C LEN, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY , DEPUTY �6J Priority Conservation Areas Nominations to ABAG August 14, 2007 Page 2 BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS (Continued) As a part of this Program, ABAG initiated two requests for nominations from local governments: nominations for designation of Priority Development Areas and nominations for designation of Priority Conservation Areas. Nominations for Priority Development Areas were due on June 29, 2007 and the County submitted a nomination. Nominations for Priority Conservation Areas are due August 17, 2007. In addition to accepting nominations from all local government agencies, ABAG will be collecting input from other organizations working in the open space and conservation field. Nominations will be reviewed and evaluated to develop regional conservation priorities that will be considered in expending certain state funds for conservation in this area. ABAG's request for nominations includes the following key guidance: Nominated areas must display a high level of regional significance, consensus, and urgency. Nominated areas should not already be protected and be areas that will benefit from targeted purchases and easements in the near-term. Areas should be identified within the regional context of the conservation values and functions provided without delineating specific parcels. Identifying an area will help ensure that on the ground conservation efforts are supported and not hindered through this designation process. Staff recommend nominating two areas: 1) the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and 2) the Agricultural Core area designated in the County's General Plan (see maps attached). Both of these areas have substantial existing County policy supporting their nomination as priority conservation area (namely, the recently adopted HCP and the County General Plan), are clearly recognizable regional conservation priorities that are recognized by the community and other agencies and organizations, are areas for which the County is an appropriate nominator, and are proposals that meet the urgent and near term criteria identified by ABAG. Attachments: o Background materials from ABAG on the Focusing Our Vision Program and the call for nominations of Priority conservation Areas o Figure 5-3 from the HCP showing conservation priorities in the HCP • Map showing the Agricultural Core SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA VISION In 2002, regional agencies, local governments, and community groups in the San Francisco Bay Area created a Vision for the region to collaboratively address housing and traffic problems while improving the quality of life for all residents. The aim of the Vision is to concentrate future growth near transit and in the existing communities that surround the San Francisco Bay, enhancing existing neighborhoods and providing housing and transportation choices for all residents. FOCUSING OUR VISION (FOCUS) FOCUS, short for the Focusing Our Vision initiative, advances the Vision. FOCUS is a 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). It is partially funded by a Blueprint Grant from the State of California Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency. The goals of FOCUS are to: ■ Strengthen and support existing communities ■ Create compact communities with a diversity of housing,jobs, activities, and services to meet the daily needs of residents ■ Increase housing choices ■ Improve housing affordability • Increase transportation efficiency and choices ■ Protect and steward natural habitat, open space, and agricultural land ■ Improve social and economic equity • Promote economic and fiscal health ■ Conserve resources,promote sustainability, and improve environmental quality ■ Protect public health and safety. VOLUNTARY PROCESS FOR WILL1`GJURISDICTIONS In the FOCUS process, regional agencies are working together with local governments to create a specific and shared concept of where growth can best be accommodated and what areas need protection in the region. Local and regional partners will identify areas that are priorities for development and conservation and work to direct existing and future incentives to these areas. Interested local governments will have the option to apply to the regional agencies for Priority Development and Conservation Area designations.Only willing jurisdictions will receive priority area designations. PLATFORM FOR RF,6IONAL ENGAGEMENT FOCUS serves as a platform for engaging San Francisco Bay Area local governments and stakeholders in a regional dialogue around accommodating growth and protecting natural areas. The FOCUS Technical Advisory Committee serves as the key forum supporting this regional dialogue. The Committee is comprised of representatives for each of the region's nine counties from cities and counties and stakeholder groups representing affordable housing, economic development, the environment, environmental justice, social equity, and transportation interests. . Regional agencies have also held a stakeholder conference, a series of county-wide local government forums, and made presentations to a variety of interest groups. More venues for engaging the region's diverse groups will be sought and established as agreements on regional priorities take shape. Apri 12007 e.,P9 epvy47 DESIGNATION OF PRIORury DI•ATLOPMEN-r AREAS All local governments are invited to participate in the FOCUS process and apply to designate Priority Development Areas. An open application process will allow each jurisdiction to nominate areas that fit at least three basic criteria: 1) areas within an existing community, 2) areas near existing or planned fixed transit or served by comparable bus capacity, and 3) areas planned or in the planning process for more housing. Applications will be available on regional agencies' websites beginning April 19, 2007. The submission deadline for the first round of applications is June 29, 2007. After all applications are received, local and regional staff will review the development vision for these areas and ensure that the basic criteria are met.The Priority Development Areas will be presented to the ABAG General Assembly for adoption on October 26, 2007. MSIGNATION OF 13RIORITY CONSERVATION AREAS Regional agencies are working with the Green Vision group, a coalition of regional and local open space organizations, to identify areas that are priorities for conservation efforts. FOCUS will collaborate with.local governments to determine Priority Conservation Areas, based upon local plans and the results of the Green Vision project. All local governments interested in having Priority Conservation Area Designations will have the option of applying at a later date. INCENTIN'ES Regional agencies are working to align many existing and future financial incentives for local governments that have designated priority areas. Potential sources include future funding from MTC's Transportation for Livable Communities and Housing Incentive Program, as well as additional discretionary transportation funds from MTC's Regional Transportation Plan 2009 Update. The State is also considering aligning funding from the recently passed housing and resource bonds to regional priorities, potentially including FOCUS priority areas. LONC.-TE.Rm REGR)NAL STRATEGY FOCUS is a long-term strategy, and new sources of incentives are likely to arise in the future that will be available to Priority Development and Conservation Areas. The intention of FOCUS is to target areas for development and conservation incentives for the next few decades. If a city does not receive incentives in the first round, it will remain eligible for future rounds of funding as available. There will also be opportunities for other cities to apply for priority area designations if they do not participate in the first round of applications. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE Priority areas will.also be focal points for regional agency efforts. Regional agencies will offer services to assist local governments with priority area planning and development activities. These services will include technical and outreach assistance, networking assistance, and best practices information. wv.-w.havarcavision.orus/focus 510.464.7994 �W1 RAY.AIie:\ „1rxllw„ 1... bcdc C �•�► Aii CZiillry A..IKclliun of Oa?Ana lilncrnmenl. M T I x�sti rux rrn o. CONSERVATION eAr •• f i,I II I�I I I I�' NI AN A 1'•I AI I N 1 ORSQIVAIKIN PRO AND I? .,'1 r, 1 C 1 oEVnnrelwloorarssaw FOCUS is a regional planning initiative spearheaded by the Association of Bqv Area Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission,in coordination with the Bay Area Air Qualitt•Management District and the Ba v Conservation and Development Commission.It is partially funded by a Blueprint Grunt from the State of California Business. Transportation.and Housing Agency. G; R9 -gel-a7 PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREA DESIGNATION NOMINATION GUIDELINES . ' AND NOMINATION FORM Released: June 22, 2007 FOCUS, short for Focusing Our Vision, is a multi-agency, regional planning initiative spearheaded by the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in coordination with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. A[F.TROPOLITAI\ /• Association or Bay Area Governments M T TRANS POK'['A'['lOti (:0AI [[ss[oN � w BAY AREA bcdc . fel R QUALITY SAN FRANCISCO BAY M n N A G'L•t,t L N'I' CONSERVATION AND r D I s "I h 1 c -[' DEVELOPMEN7 COMMISSION CW FOCUS PROGRAM: Priority Conservation Area Designation Nomination Guidelines Program Information FOCUS is a multi-agency, regional planning initiative spearheaded by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in coordination with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Bay Conservation and Development Commission. It builds upon regionally adopted smart growth policies and related programs and is one of several Regional Blueprint Planning efforts across the State. The goal is to create a specific and shared concept of where growth can be accommodated (priority development areas) and what areas need protection (priority conservation areas) in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. Having a regional strategy to target investments and assistance in these areas will make our communities stronger and advance protection of our natural areas and working lands. By working together,local and regional partners can collectively move forward to address growth and conservation needs for future generations. As part of the FOCUS Program, nominations are now being accepted for regionally designating priority conservation areas in the San Francisco Bay Area that contain lands important for protection via purchase fee title or easement within the next few years. Priority conservation areas are areas of regional significance that have broad community support and an urgent need for protection. These areas will contain important agricultural, natural resource, watershed, historical, scenic, cultural, recreational,and/or ecological values and ecosystem functions. Knowing the region's near-term conservation priorities for targeting protection efforts will promote collaboration and investment in these areas that are critical to the region's quality of life and ecological diversity. The identification of the region's conservation priorities is an ongoing process and involves many regional and local partners. The FOCUS Program has been working closely with the Bay Area Open Space Council and Greenbelt Alliance who are leading a complementary, collaborative process called Green Vision. Green Vision is bringing land use planning and land conservation professionals together to craft a long term vision for protection of important conservation areas throughout the Bay Area by acquisition and policy. Green Vision and the FOCUS Program will continue to coordinate efforts as appropriate and facilitate collaborative partnerships that support smart growth and smart conservation. Purpose of Designating Priority Conservation Areas The purpose of designating priority conservation areas through the FOCUS Program is to accelerate protection and restoration of key natural lands in the San Francisco Bay Area through purchases or easements. Conservation will be promoted through regional designation by: • Coordinating conservation efforts within a regional framework of near-term priorities • Providing a strong platform on which to leverage public and private resources • Building upon prior and existing land protection efforts and investments • Providing opportunities for forging new partnerships Eligible Areas Nominated areas must display a high level of regional significance, consensus, and urgency (see Nomination Form for criteria details). Nominated areas should not already be protected and be areas that will benefit from targeted purchases and easements in the near-term. Areas Nomination Guidelines&Form available online: June 2007 FOCUS PROGRAM: Priority Conservation Area Designation Nomination Guidelines should be identified within the regional context of the conservation values and functions provided without delineating specific parcels. Identifying an area will help ensure that on the ground conservation efforts are supported and not hindered through this designation process. Eligible Applicants Local governments (cities, counties,towns), tribes, water/utility districts, resource conservation districts, park and/or open space districts, land trusts and other land/resource protection nonprofit organizations in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area are invited to nominate areas for consideration as near-term, regional conservation priorities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to collaborate and partner with other entities on the nomination of areas. Timeline The deadline for submitting nominations is August 17, 2007. Nominations will be discussed at public meetings coordinated by the State Coastal Conservancy's San Francisco Bay Area Program in September 2007 and reviewed by a regional panel in early October 2007. Recommendations will be presented to ABAG's Executive Board for regional adoption in November 2007. How to apply Download and complete a nomination form for each area: http://www.bavareavision.ort Jfocus/nominationprocess.html E-mail the application form and supporting documents to FOCUSnabag.ca.gov by Friday, August 17, 2007. Contact Information Please contact Jackie Guzman,ABAG Regional Planner, at,lackieGaabag.ca.gov or 510.464.7994 with questions about the nomination form. Nomination Guidelines&Form available online:htti)://,.%titih bavareavision.org/foc!us/nominationprocess.btinl June 200'7 FOCUS PROGRAM: Priority Conservation Area Designation Nomination Form Enter information in the spaces provided. E-mail this completed nomination form and attachments .requested as part of this form to .FOCUS�mabag.c.a.gov by August:L 7, 2007. If e-mailing is not possible,a hard copy of materials can be mailed to Jackie Guzman,Association of Bay Area Governments,P.O. Box 2050, Oakland, CA 94604-2050. PART is AREA INFORMATION Area Name Area Location(city, town,county) Total Acreage Attach a map showing the proposed area boundaries and location. Include other relevant information, such as topography or an aerial photograph,to show the context for protection of this area. PART 2: NOMINEE CONTACT INFORMATION Lead Nominating Agency/Organization Contact Person Address Phone Number(s) E-mail address Partnerin A ency(ies) Or anization(s) PART 3:AREA CRITERIA Provide a description of how the area meets each of the following criteria by addressing the points for each. Limit responses for each criterion to one page,which can be typed within this document or. provided as separate attachments. A. Level of Consensus ■ Describe the level of community support and/or political will for protection of this area, mentioning any existing plans that identify this area. Some examples of plans include an organization/agency's strategic plan,general plan,habitat conservation plan, etc. ■ Describe how this area might promote collaboration between multiple organizations and/or jurisdictions. ■ Describe any work underway to protect this area and who is involved. . B. Regional Significance ■ Describe how this area promotes regionally significant conservation values. Some examples of regionally significant conservation values that an area may provide include landscape/habitat linkages between large patches,unique landscapes/features,large important farmland areas,landscapes with significant water protection and enhancement opportunities,large patches of critical habitat, connections for people(ex.trails)and wildlife (ex. corridors)on a regional scale,buffers for waterways and/or other natural areas, separation of urbanized areas through open space networks, adds to regional parks/other large protected areas. The area may also provide a service that benefits public safety and/or the economic vitality of the region,such as agricultural land or tourism. C. Urgency ■ Describe the existing or potential threats to the ecological integrity of this area or to the efforts to protect this area. ■ Describe any existing or potential opportunities for the protection or restoration of this area and how ready the process is to proceed. ■ Describe the need for protection of this area if this description does not duplicate the answer in Part 3B. For questions regarding the nomination form,please contact Jackie Guzman,ABAG Regional Planner, at JackieGrU-alha,.ca.�, or 510.464.7994• Nomination Guidelines&Form available online: June 2007 m tC co� 0 10 a. cu-C CL 04 ct 0 30), c u (D CL c•° U:E > c 0 'o M (U ca 2 M (D < _j r 30 ''g'M, p?. . c m CIO 41 48 Nil C aw- to l"m 45 :CD 47 ko cli Pat 40P CIL 4,4 0 now CZ1 o o .14% • �. - .%^t . ._f�'J%'' _ (�*� j /ISI yj'^�J /J �:. `iii. (.fi�},. f r-•�f.i='''"� ��7.r._1`\,,. 4 y � g"//� Jy< Cl) �,. 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