Report Prepared by: Jessie Lee, Associate Planner, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Vacation #26-0002, Vacating the 55-Foot Wide Area of a Portion of Canal (L) Street Situated Between West Main (17th) Street and West 16th Street
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving the vacation of an approximately 14,328-square-foot easement, a portion of the southern Canal (L) Street, generally located between West Main (17th) Street and West 16th Street.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2026-66, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, ordering the vacation of the 55-foot-wide area of a portion of Canal “L” Street between Main “17th” Street and West 16th Street (Vacation #26-0002).
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 City of Merced is requesting the vacation of a portion of Canal (L) Street due to the Bob Hart Square Renovation project (Attachment 1). The portion of Canal Street located 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 (PUEs), and ownership will be kept. The area to be vacated is approximately 80 feet wide and extends from the southern property line to the northern property line for approximately 14,328 square feet. (Attachment 3). The proposed vacation will result in the loss of nine (9) existing parking spaces that were previously located along this portion of Canal (L) Street. The subject site consists of a portion of Canal (L) Street that was recently renovated and incorporated into the expanded Bob Hart Plaza. The City is requesting vacation of this easement as part of the plaza renovation. The property is used as a Parks and Recreation facility to provide active and passive recreational opportunities.
This expansion is now known as Bob Hart Plaza, formerly identified as Canal (L) Street. On April 2, 1979, City Council adopted Resolution No. 79-37 vacating a portion of the Canal (L) Street right-of-way from West 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 approved a motion recommending City Council set the time and place for a public hearing and grant Vacation #26-0002.
On August 17, 2026, the City Council adopted a Resolution of Intention and Set October 5, 2026, as the final hearing to consider Vacation #25-0001 (see Attachment 4). This portion of the public street is no longer needed and is unnecessary for present or prospective public use as a street. This portion of the public street should be abandoned.
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. 2026-56 to set the Public Hearing for Vacation #26-0002
5. City Council Resolution No. 2026-66 Approving Vacation #26-0002
6. Presentation