Moraga Town Council Ponders New FOCUS On Rheem Valley and Environs

The Moraga Town Council will weigh a proposal calling for designation of much of "downtown" Moraga as a Priority Development Area (PDA) under the multi-agency FOCUS program during their regular meeting Wednesday night.

Approval of the proposal, still in its early stages and subject to review, is expected to have a positive fiscal impact as it would make the area -- and most notably the depressed Rheem Valley Center -- eligible for future grant funds earmarked for PDAs.

FOCUS, a regional planning intiative jointly coordinated by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), supports regional development that is both "compact" and "connected."

Under the joint agency's terms for qualification, FOCUS worthy projects must be within an existing community; near existing or planned fixed transit (or served by comparable bus service); and is planned, or is planning, for more housing in order to be considered for future grant funding.

The council, at its meeting in December 2011, amended the proposed Priority Development Area boundaries, excluding open space property at the northeast corner of Moraga Road and Rheem Boulevard. After the meeting, staff further worked with council member Trotter to maximize the size of the Priority Development Area while ensuring open space was not included.

A full agenda for the upcoming Jan. 11 meeting is attached.