Planning Commission Staff Report
Report Prepared by: Jessie Lee, Development Services Technician II, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Vacation #26-0002
ACTION: Adopt a Resolution
1) Finding Vacation #26-0002 consistent with the City of Merced's General Plan; and
2) Recommend the City Council Grant Vacation #26-0002
RECOMMENDATION
Planning Staff recommends the Planning Commission adopt a Resolution finding Vacation #26-0002 consistent with the City of Merced's General Plan and Recommend the City Council grant Vacation #26-0002.
Body
DISCUSSION
LOCATION:
The project site is the southern portion Canal (L) Street situated between Block 185 and Block 186, north of W. 16th Street and east of M Street. (Attachment C).
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ENTITLEMENETS:
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. The northern portion of Canal (L) Street was vacated back in 1979, to accommodate Bob Hart Square for Parks and Recreation use.
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.
Project Description
City of Merced is requesting a vacation of a portion of Canal (L) Street due to the Bob Hart Square Renovation project (Attachment B). The portion of Canal Street situated between Block 185 and Block 186 has been renovated from a street to a 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 approximate...
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