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11 THE CITY OF m~ ~.~~ Ian j'L£~1S~4NTONo CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT June 19, 2007 Planning and Community Development TITLE: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATION AS A PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT AREA UNDER THE ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS' "FOCUSING OUR VISION" (FOCUS) PROGRAM SUMMARY The "Focusing our Vision" (FOCUS) program is amulti-agency initiative to create shared planning strategies for development and conservation in the region. In addition to identifying "Priority Development Areas" which may accommodate a portion of the region's expected growth, areas important for the conservation of natural resource values will also be identified. Applications for the voluntary designation of Priority Development Areas are being sought from local governments in the nine county San Francisco Bay Area. The application process will inform the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the State where incentives and assistance are needed to support local efforts that accommodate growth in infill development near transit. Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize the submittal of an application for the Hacienda Specific Plan area as a Priority Development Area. Submittal of this application does not commit the City to approving any future Specific Plan or any related development projects; any future development would be subject to the City's normal public review process and would need to be found consistent with the City's General Plan policies for this area. Furthermore, this resolution would not commit the City to any land use scenario for Hacienda in the General Plan. However, in order to maintain flexibility and to retain the opportunity to compete for future funding, staff is recommending that this application for project designation be submitted. RECOMMENDATION Adopt the attached resolution (Attachment 1) authorizing the City Manager to prepare and submit an application for designation of the Hacienda area as a Priority Development Area under the Association of Bay Area Governments' "Focusing our Vision" (FOCUS) program. FINANCIAL STATEMENT A minor commitment of staff time (estimated at less than 20 hours) is required to complete the application and for follow-up. Designation of the Hacienda area as a Priority Development Area could provide eligibility for future capital or planning grants.