Smart Growth

Smart Growth Technical Assistance Program

Technical assistance services are available to local jurisdictions on a competitive basis through the FOCUS Program to advance transit-oriented development (TOD) in Priority Development Areas (PDAs).

The objective of this flexible program is to support discrete planning projects that will advance implementation of PDA-related plans in support of FOCUS goals. Customized in-kind technical assistance is provided to local jurisdictions seeking to overcome specific policy or planning challenges to the adoption or successful implementation of PDA-related plans.

Projects within PDAs that call for creative, forward-thinking solutions for addressing typical impediments to the development of successful TOD, and that can help to build a higher level of support for development of complete communities within the Bay Area, are ideal.

Cycle 1 Technical Assistance Grantees

Cycle 1 Technical Assistance services were awarded in February 2010. The following projects were selected:

• City of Berkeley — Downtown Berkeley Comprehensive Financing Plan ($50,000 award)
• City of Martinez — Downtown Martinez Infrastructure Study ($25,000 award)
• SamTrans — Grand Boulevard Initiative Economic & Housing Opportunities Project-Phase 1 ($50,000 award)
• City of San Carlos — TOD Ordinance & Form-Based Code ($50,000 award)

Cycle 2 Technical Assistance Grantees

Cycle 2 Technical Assistance services were awarded in January 2011.  The following projects were selected:

• City of Oakland — Temescal Parking Demand and Pricing Study ($60,000 award)
• City of Cloverdale — Feasible Design of the Greenway Undercrossing/Caltrans Coordination ($30,000 award)
• City of El Cerrito — Del Norte Transit-Oriented Development Strategy ($60,000 award)
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority — Comprehensive Evaluation of Replacement Parking Requirements at Transit-Oriented Development Sites ($55,000 award)
• City of Suisun City — Development Feasibility Analysis ($60,000 award)

Cycle 3 Technical Assistance Grantees

Cycle 3 Technical Assistance services were awarded in March 2012. The following projects were selected:

• Marin County - Multi-family design guidelines development and outreach ($55,000 award)
• City of East Palo Alto - Specific Plan Nexus Study and Impact Fee for public improvements ($60,000 award)
• City of Oakland - Oakland Residential Parking Survey - Telegraph Avenue ($24,000 award)