Albany City Council proposes new priority conservation areas for climate adaptation and recreation

The Parks, Recreation & Open Space Commission meeting on May 8, 2025, focused on the nomination of new Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) in Albany, California. The discussion highlighted the importance of these areas for regional conservation and sustainability, as well as the potential for funding to enhance local parks and recreational spaces.

The Priority Conservation Areas program, initiated by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), aims to protect significant geographical areas that support the Bay Area's environmental goals. The program was refreshed last year to include urban greening, recreation, and climate adaptation. Recognized PCAs can apply for funding to improve these areas, with over $300 million awarded to various projects since the program's inception.

Albany currently has one PCA, Albany Hill, which was designated in 2007. However, due to updates in eligibility requirements, this area has been reclassified from working lands to recreation. Staff proposed three new PCAs, two of which are located on the waterfront and designated for recreation, while one includes climate adaptation measures. This division was necessary because the entire area did not meet the 75% coverage requirement for climate adaptation.

The proposed PCAs aim to enhance accessibility to the shoreline and support resilience against climate change impacts, particularly sea level rise. Additionally, a priority tree canopy area has been nominated to align with the city’s street tree management plan, combining urban greening and climate adaptation efforts.

The commission discussed the implications of PCA designations on future development, clarifying that these designations do not restrict zoning or development plans. The nominations were submitted to ABAG on May 2, and the commission will present them to the city council on June 2 for official action. A signed resolution must be submitted to ABAG by June 13, after which the new and amended PCAs will be integrated into the Plan Bay Area 2050 implementation plan.

The meeting underscored the city’s commitment to enhancing its parks and recreational spaces while addressing climate resilience, with hopes of securing future grant funding to support these initiatives.