Report Prepared by: Julie Nelson, Associate Planner, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Vacation No. 18-02 for the Adoption of a Resolution Ordering the Vacation of an Approximately 5.88 Acre Park Site Generally Located at the Southwest Corner of M Street and Arrow Wood Drive (Extended)
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City Council will consider approving a Resolution to order the vacation of an approximately 5.88 acre park site generally located at the southwest corner of M Street and Arrow Wood Drive.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving Resolution 2018-69, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California ordering the vacation of an approximately 5.88 acre park site generally located at the southwest corner of M Street and Arrow Wood Drive (extended) (Vacation #18-02).
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by Council; or,
3. Deny based on specific findings; or,
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in Council motion).
AUTHORITY
Section 8335 of the Streets and Highways Code authorizes the City Council to vacate a right-of-way or easement by adopting a resolution of vacation. Section 8336 of that Code requires the City Clerk to record a certified copy of the resolution of vacation. Additionally, City of Merced Administrative Policy A-6 provides direction to staff for processing vacation requests, and City Resolution 76-80 establishes a policy concerning costs associated with the vacation.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
The developer of Bellevue Ranch, Stonefield Home, Inc., is requesting the vacation of approximately 5.88 acres of land generally located at the southwest corner of M Street and Arrow Wood Drive (Attachment 1). This park site (Attachment 2) was dedicated as part of the Bellevue Ranch Village 12, Phase 1 subdivision (Attachment 3) in accordance with the conditions of approval for Tentative Map #1304 for Bellevue Ranch Village 12.
The proposed vacation of the park site is part of the overall plan to move the park site from the current location at M Street and Arrow Wood Drive to the southeast corner of the future Catherine A Hostetler Boulevard and Freemark Avenue (extended) as shown on the map in Attachment 4. On September 17, 2018, the City Council approved General Plan Amendment No. 18-01, which changed the land use designation of the property from Open Space/Park (OS) to Low-Medium Density Residential (LMD), thereby allowing the construction of single-family dwellings at this location. General Plan Amendment No. 18-01 also approved the relocation of the park site to the southeast corner of the future Catherine A Hostetler Boulevard and Freemark Avenue (extended), which is adjacent to the future school site. As a condition of the General Plan Amendment, the dedication of the new park site is required. The new park site would be dedicated with the Large Lot Final Map for Bellevue Ranch West. This map will be coming before the City Council for approval in the near future.
As provided for in the Resolution for this vacation, as a condition of the vacation and prior to the recording a certified copy of the Resolution, the developer must dedicate a new park site adjacent to the future school site. This requirement is also set forth in Planning Commission Resolution No. 3098.
History and Past Actions
At the Planning Commission meeting of January 18, 2017, the Planning Commission reviewed the vacation for consistency with the City’s General Plan and found, by unanimous vote of those present, that the proposed vacation does not conflict with any General Plan policies, text, or maps, and is, therefore, consistent with the General Plan.
On October 1, 2018, the City Council adopted a Resolution of Intention (Resolution No. 2018-64 - Attachment 5) and set November 5, 2018, as the date for the public hearing to consider Vacation #18-02.
Recommendation
Staff is recommending the adoption of the Resolution at Attachment 6 to abandon the park site as described above.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The approval of the requested vacation would not result in any impacts on City resources.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Abandonment Area
3. Bellevue Ranch West, Village 12, Phase 1 Map
4. Proposed New Park Site
5. Council Resolution 2018-64
6. Draft City Council Resolution Ordering Vacation
7. Presentation