No. A PDA is a planning tool and does not zone, authorize or approve new development or other physical changes. Rather, a PDA provides access to funding to construct needed and/or planned infrastructure improvements aimed at addressing traffic issues. Additionally, PDAs also provide access to funding to help facilitate a community-driven planning process that would better plan … Continued
The primary benefit of creating a PDA is access to funding for a community-driven planning process. The PDA provides access to funding sources such as grants, which can be used for land use and circulation planning, as well as needed and planned infrastructure improvements.
The most common funding source for a PDA is the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Program, which is administered by MTC. Established in 2012, OBAG taps federal funds to maintain MTC’s commitments to regional transportation priorities while also advancing the Bay Area’s land-use and housing goals. Cities and counties in the Bay Area can use … Continued
Most grant funding is for a specific deliverable not a PDA designation. These funding requirements would included in an agreement before any funds are awarded. For example. this deliverable could be a Specific Plan or a bike lane. For OBAG grants, funding is designated for areas with a PDA. These are the main grant … Continued
No. The PDA is first a funding tool and is part of Plan Bay Area, a regional plan which is strategic document only. By State law (California Government Code Section 65080(b)(2)(K), Plan Bay Area cannot supersede local land use authority. Any changes to local planning and land use policies are solely the authority and control … Continued
No. Local jurisdictions are not required to comply with Plan Bay Area. Further, the designation of a PDA does not obligate or mandate the local jurisdiction to comply with or meet any of the jobs and housing growth projections that will be developed as part of Plan Bay Area.
No, the designation of a PDA for an area does not mean that high rise buildings will be developed in the community. A PDA designation is a funding and planning tool; it does not zone for or authorize land development. A PDA would help fund a community-driven planning process which would look at the density, … Continued
By nominating a PDA, San Rafael is prioritizing a community-driven planning process looking at housing, jobs and services, and intensified land uses within this area. Jurisdictions are required to conduct this process for this PDA by 2025 in order to maintain the PDA-designation. To help facilitate this process, designated funding is provided to jurisdictions with … Continued
While there are similarities and overlap, each Plan type is distinctive and have different elements and purposes. The purpose of all these plans to is conduct future planning. The different plans look at a finer level of detail for future planning a specific geographic area. The following is a description of each Plan type and … Continued
The PDA Grant Program is very specific about the type of Plan that is eligible for grants. The PDA Grant Program guidelines require the grant fund a Specific Plan, or equivalent Plan (e.g., Precise Plan). These plans includes a Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Zoning Code and General Plan amendments. These elements are important because … Continued
