Report Prepared by: Francisco Mendoza-Gonzalez, Associate Planner, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Setting a Public Hearing for Monday, December 4, 2023, to Abandon a 15-Foot-Wide Public Utilities Easement (PUE) Located at 2111 Wardrobe Avenue, Generally Located on the North Side of Wardrobe Avenue, Approximately 1,360 Feet East of Thornton Road (Vacation #23-04)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers adopting a Resolution to set a public hearing for December 4, 2023, to vacate a 15-foot-wide Public Utilities Easement (PUE) located at 2111 Wardrobe Avenue, generally located on the north side of Wardrobe Avenue, approximately 1,360 feet east of Thornton Road.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2023-81, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, declaring its intention to vacate a 15-foot-wide Public Utilities Easement located at 2111 Wardrobe Avenue, generally located on the north side of Wardrobe Avenue, approximately 1,360 feet east of Thornton Road (Vacation #23-04) and setting a time and place for a Public Hearing.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications by the City Council; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in motion).
AUTHORITY
Government Code Section 66477.5 (c) specifies the procedures for vacating land previously dedicated for public use, such as for parks and other public facilities. The City of Merced Administrative Policies and Procedures No. A-6 provides direction to staff for processing vacation requests, and City Council Resolution No. 86-90 establishes a policy concerning costs associated with the vacation.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The project site is located on the north side of Wardrobe Avenue, approximately 1,360 feet east of Thornton Road (Attachment 1). The Site Plan Review Committee approved the construction of a new Operational Services Support Center to be constructed on the project site (Attachment 2). Because the new development on the site would interfere with the existing PUE, a condition of approval requires the existing 15-foot-wide PUE that generally runs north and south through the property must be abandoned and a new PUE dedicated. The legal description and map of the proposed vacation area is provided at Attachment 3.
There is currently a sewer line and a storm drain line running through the easement area. The utilities would be relocated to the new easement to be dedicated near the southern property line of the site. The Engineering Department has reviewed the applicant’s request and are supportive of this request to vacate the existing easement. The Engineering Department will work with the School District on the dedication of a new easement to accommodate the sewer, water, and storm drain lines.
Staff is requesting the City Council adopt the resolution at Attachment 4 setting the public hearing for Vacation #23-04 for Monday, December 4, 2023.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
There would be no impact on City resources as a result of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Overall Site Plan
3. Legal Description and Site Plan for Vacation #23-04
4. Resolution 2023-81