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ABAG Priority Sites Program

Community Development Agency
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Priority Sites are sites that the County of Marin has zoned for housing and nominated for the Priority Sites Program. 

As part of the program, nominated Priority Sites will receive technical assistance from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA).

A designated Priority Site will also be eligible for future infrastructure, planning, and housing funding from the federal, state and regional government. Local governments, developers and site owners can request technical assistance and apply for available funding, including $28 million in predevelopment funding. The County will consider nominating existing Housing Element sites.

County Staff hosted office hours on Wednesday, September 20, to explain the program and answer questions. The recording is available online. 

Staff will bring updates to the Board of Supervisors throughout this process. The community will have opportunity to provide feedback if sites are under consideration for grant funding. Subscribe to receive updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1. What is a priority site?

    A priority site is a locally identified, regionally significant place that can offer homes affordable to people of all incomes, backgrounds and abilities. Sites are nearby essential services, green space, and public transit options.

    A designated Priority Site will be eligible for future infrastructure, planning, and housing funding from the federal, state and regional government. Local governments, developers and site owners can request technical assistance and apply for available funding, including $28 million in predevelopment funding. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) will provide technical assistance and funding on sites nominated by local governments through the Priority Sites Program.

  • 2. What sites are under consideration for nomination?

    The County will consider nominating existing Housing Element sites.

  • 3. How does this support the Housing Element?

    The County is nominating sites to support housing identified in the Housing Element and help with infrastructure and predevelopment costs, in addition to helping the County achieve its RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) goals.

  • 4. Will this allow more housing on these sites?

    No, the total number of units identified in the Housing Element Site List will not change.  

  • 5. Is affordable housing required on Priority Sites?

    ABAG/MTC does not require affordable housing on sites, but encourages and incentivizes affordable housing. The County’s inclusionary program mandates a set aside of affordable units for market rate projects.

  • 6. Will the inclusion as a Priority Sites change the approval process?

    The site will go through the approval process it qualifies for within the County’s Community Development Agency. Any project will have to be reviewed and approved by County Roads, the utilities, Marin County Fire and many others.

  • 7. What could the priority sites program fund for the projects?
    • Predevelopment: Predevelopment could include lease negotiations, preparations of RFPs (Request for Proposals) for developers or site owners, site design process.
    • Infrastructure: Infrastructure could include money for roads, transportation, utilities (sewer, sanitation), childcare, school and/or recreational facilities.
    • Tailored technical assistance: This could include outreach, site studies, and areas that need subject matter experts, like remediation.
    • Clean up of existing sites
  • 8. How would the priority sites program affect school funding and enrollment?

    The priority sites program is a funding opportunity from ABAG which makes a site eligible for infrastructure funding. Infrastructure funding may include childcare, school and/or recreational facilities.

  • 9. Would the priority sites program pay for infrastructure?

    Yes, as funding allows. Sites nominated would be eligible for future regional infrastructure resources. Infrastructure resources could include money for roads, utilities such as sewer and water, transportation services, etc.

  • 10. Are Priority Sites and Priority Development Areas the same thing?

    No. While both Priority Sites (PS) and Priority Development Areas (PDA) both identify opportunities for housing in areas near transit and other amenities, the outcome is not the same.

    PDAs are locally designated areas within existing communities that have been identified and approved by local cities or counties for intensive future growth, including new homes, jobs, and community amenities.

    Priority sites are regionally-significant areas that are already zoned for housing with a predesignated capacity defined in the Housing Element. Once designated as a priority site, additional funding and support from ABAG is offered to help create mixed-income and affordable housing. In some cases, this development is already planned, but the “Priority Site” designation can help fund infrastructure additions or upgrades needed to help facilitate the creation of the housing.

  • 11. Why is the County considering nominating these sites and what is the County committing to with the nomination?

    The County is considering nominating sites to support housing identified in the Housing Element and help with infrastructure and predevelopment costs, as noted in question 9. The nomination process does not require a commitment for the County to take future action.

  • 12. Where can I find out more?

    More information is available on ABAG’s website.

  • 13. What are the next steps?

    The County will submit a simple application form to ABAG by the September 30 deadline. ABAG will review applications and designate a priority site based on the applications and those sites will be eligible for future funding. If priority sites are designated, additional outreach will be conducted in advance of grant applications to ABAG.

  • 14. Will community members and neighbors be able to comment on these projects?

    Yes. Community members and neighbors will receive updates on these projects as part of the project approval process, including periods for public comment.