Report Prepared by: Jessie Lee, Associate Planner, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Vacation #25-0001, Vacating the 20-Foot-Wide Easement at 400 West 7th Street
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the vacation of an approximately 1,145-square-foot easement at 400 West 7th Street, generally located on the south side of West 7th Street approximately 430 feet west of Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2026-65, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, ordering the vacation of the 20-foot-wide public utility easement (approximately 1,145 square feet) along a portion of vacated K Street south of 7th Street in the City of Merced (Vacation #25-0001).
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by the Planning Commission and 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.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The subject site is part of the original incorporation of the City of Merced in 1889. The land uses in the area includes Low Medium Density Residential, High Medium Density Residential and General Commercial. The zoning and land use designation of the subject site was designated to be a buffer between commercial and lower density residential uses. The City of Merced’s Engineering Department stated the easement originally was going to be a continuance of K Street; however, the street was never constructed and has then been vacated. There are no plans to construct it in the future.
At the Planning Commission meeting of April 8, 2026, the Planning Commission reviewed the vacation and approved a motion recommending to City Council to set the time and place for a public hearing and grant abandonment.
On August 17, 2026, the City Council adopted a Resolution of Intention and set October 5, 2026, as the date for the public hearing to consider Vacation #25-0001.
This Easement is no longer needed and is unnecessary for present or prospective public use. The Easement should be abandoned to allow the property owners full use of their property.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
There would be no impact on City resources with this action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Legal Description
3. Vacation Map
4. City Council Resolution No. 2026-57 to set the Public Hearing for Vacation #25-0001
5. City Council Resolution No. 2026-65 approving Vacation #25-0001
6. Presentation