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BACKGROUND FOCUS, short for Focusing our Vision, is amulti-agency, regional planning initiative spearheaded by the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. It builds upon regionally adopted smart growth policies and related programs and is one of several projects funded under the State's Regional Blueprint Planning Program. Under this program, regional agencies, working with local governments and partners, will create a specific and shared concept of where growth can be accommodated and what areas need protection in the region. To be designated, a Priority Development Area must meet all the following criteria: (a) is within an existing community; (b) is near existing or planned fixed transit (or served by comparable bus service), and (c) is planned, or is planning, for more housing. In addition, the designated area should be 100 acres or more. The Priority Development Area designation forms a foundation for a coordinated regional planning strategy to determine where growth should go and where incentives should follow. The designated priority areas will be able to apply for planning grants and capital grants, depending on the area's planning status. Examples of capital grants could include funding for transportation projects, including bicycle and pedestrian projects, housing projects, parks/urban greening, and streetscape improvements. The application under discussion is the designation of the Hacienda Specific Plan area as a Priority Development Area. The application to the Association of Bay Area Governments is due on June 29, 2007. DISCUSSION Staff believes that the Hacienda Specific Plan area meets the requirements necessary to be designated a Priority Development Area. The area is part of an existing community; it is adjacent to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station and local and regional bus connections; and the City Council has directed that the area should be planned for additional housing in the updated General Plan. In addition, the Hacienda Owners Association (which is sponsoring the preparation of the Hacienda Specific Plan) has indicated that the Specific Plan will include enhancements that create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and will better integrate existing and future land uses with the transportation network. Attachment 2 is a preliminary draft of the application, which includes a narrative description of the vision for the area. The City Council is being asked to approve a resolution (Attachment 1) authorizing the submittal of an application for consideration of this project by the Association of Bay Area Governments. Again, submittal of this application does not constitute City approval of any future Specific Plan or of any related 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 complete for future funding, staff is recommending that this application for project designation be submitted. Page 2 of 3