Agenda

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C.142

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	July 13, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Authorization to Send Comment Letter on the Plan Bay Area 2050

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 07/13/2021

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

925-655-2894

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: July 13, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

AUTHORIZE the Director of the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) to submit a comment letter to the Association of Bay Area Governments and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (ABAG-MTC) on the Draft Plan Bay Area 2050 by the July 20, 2021 deadline.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact.

BACKGROUND:

By law, each of California's metropolitan regions must develop long-range plans to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets and accommodate future housing development without increasing commutes within the region. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the long-range plan is prepared and updated by ABAG-MTC. The first Plan Bay Area was adopted on July 18, 2013, with an update, Plan Bay Area 2040, adopted on July 26, 2017. ABAG-MTC update the regional plan every four years as required by state law. Plan Bay Area 2050 ("Plan"), currently available in draft form, is the third iteration of the plan that will chart the course for the future of the San Francisco Bay Area.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

On May 26, 2021, ABAG-MTC released the Plan for review and comments. It is a 30-year plan that accounts for projected economic, environmental, housing, and transportation needs of the counties and cities in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Contra Costa County. The Plan identifies 35 strategies to help implement its goal to make the Bay Area more affordable, connected, diverse, healthy, and vibrant for all. ABAG-MTC are holding virtual workshops and virtual public hearings through July 7, 2021, for agencies, organizations, and the public to comment on the plan. Comments on the Plan are due by 5 p.m., July 20, 2021. Comments will be reviewed by officials from ABAG-MTC as they consider the adoption of the final Plan Bay Area 2050, slated for fall 2021.

After reviewing the Plan, DCD staff has questions and comments concerning some of the strategies and assumptions. When finalized, Plan Bay Area 2050 will influence the County's eligibility for grant funds for projects, funding for public transportation, as well as codify projections that impact Regional Housing Needs Allocations (RHNA). Due to its influence on the County's future needs, staff recommends the Board authorize the Conservation and Development Director to prepare, sign, and submit a comment letter to ABAG-MTC. In general, the comment letter (attached in draft form; still in development) will convey concerns regarding the Plan's applicability to Contra Costa County's unique circumstances and responsibility to each of its more than 30 distinct unincorporated communities.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

DCD would not submit a comment letter and ABAG-MTC would not be asked to consider to address comments.