Report Prepared by: Jessie Lee, Associate Planner, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Intent to Vacate the Southern Portion of Canal (L) Street Situated Between Block 185 and Block 186, Located Between Main (17th) Street and West 16th Street and Setting a Public Hearing for August 17, 2026 (Vacation #26-0002)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers adopting a Resolution to set a public hearing for August 17, 2026, to vacate an approximately 14,328-square-foot easement portion of south Canal (L) Street, generally located between Main (17th) Street and West 16th Street.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2026-43, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, declaring its intention to vacate a portion of Canal Street between Main “17th” Street and West 16th Street (Vacation 26-0002) setting time and place for 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
Part 3, Chapter 3 of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California authorizes the City Council to vacate a right-of-way or easement. The vacation shall be made by adoption of a resolution pursuant to Section 8335 of the Code and shall be recorded pursuant to Section 8336. The City of Merced Administrative Policies and Procedures No. A-6 provides direction to staff for processing vacation requests, and City Resolution 86080 establishes a policy concerning costs associated with the vacation.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
City of Merced is requesting a vacation of a portion of Canal (L) Street due to the Bob Hart Square Renovation project (Attachment 1). The portion of Canal Street situated between Block 185 and Block 186 has been transformed from a street with parking, to a plaza, stage, and pedestrian pathway. The street is being vacated by the City of Merced, however all Public Utility Easements (PUE), and ownership will be kept. The area to be vacated is approximately 80 feet wide and runs from the southern property line to the northern property line for approximately 14,328 square feet. (Attachment 3). The subject site is a portion of Canal (L) Street. The City of Merced recently renovated and expanded Bob Hart Square into the Plaza. The City is requesting to vacate this easement, as part of the renovation of Bob Hart Square. The City will be utilizing this as a Parks and Recreation Facilities to provide active or passive recreational opportunities.
History and Past Actions
The subject site is approximately 14,328 square feet with a General Plan Designation of Regional Community Commercial (RC) and Zoning of Central Commercial (C-C). In December 2021, City Council allocated ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act Funds) for the Bob Hart Square Expansion project. The expansion of this project is now the Bob Hart Plaza, formerly identified as Canal (L) Street. April 2, 1979, City Council of the City of Merced adopted Resolution No. 79-37 to vacate a portion of the right of way Canal (L) Street from Main (17th) Street to the alley south thereof, City of Merced, reserving to the City of Merced the public utilities easement. Site Plan Review-26-0021 was approved on April 2, 2026, by the Site Plan Review Committee, to allow Bob Hart Square and Plaza to be operated as a Parks and Recreational Facility to provide both active and passive recreational opportunities for the community.
At the Planning Commission meeting of June 3, 2026, the Planning Commission reviewed the vacation and adopted a motion recommending to City Council to set the time and place for a public hearing and grant abandonment.
Recommendation
City Staff determined that this street will be used by the City of Merced as a Parks and Recreation Facilities and should be abandoned to give the property owners full use of their property. Staff is recommending the City Council adopt the resolution at Attachment 4 setting the public hearing for Vacation #26-0002 for Monday, August 17, 2026, to vacate the street, a portion of south Canal (L) Street, generally located between Main (17th) Street and West 16th Street.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
There would be no impact on City resources because of this action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Legal Description
3. Parcel Map
4. Resolution 2026-43