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SUMMARY VACATION AND ABANDONMENT OF SIX PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENTS ON A PORTION OF SIERRA VISTA APARTMENTS
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council adopt a resolution:
1. Approving the summary abandonment of six public utility easements on a portion of Seven Oaks Unit No. 2, better known as Sierra Vista Apartments, on Twelfth Street between Phelps and Oroville Streets; and
2. Authorizing the City Manager to take necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the resolution.
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Summary
The applicant, The Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin (“HACSJ”), is requesting the abandonment of six sewer easements located on a portion of a 7.94 acre parcel along Twelfth Street (Attachment A - Vicinity Map and Attachment B - Aerial Map) to allow for 115 new residential units, known as Sierra Vista Apartments Phase 1. Presently, there are no utilities in the proposed abandonment area as they were previously relocated.
DISCUSSION
Background
Sierra Vista Homes was built in the early 1950’s and is located in the middle of an established residential neighborhood in south Stockton. Although HACSJ has made immense efforts to keep up with capital needs for the housing units, due to its age and physical condition, it has started to lose its usefulness and efficiency. HACSJ owns the entire project known as Sierra Vista Homes, which is bounded by Tenth and Twelfth Streets, and Phelps and Bieghle Streets.
HACSJ has received approval to demolish 330 of the existing units. To date, the units on the south side of Twelfth Street have been demolished. HACSJ, in conjunction with Delta Community Development Corporation, plan to develop a mixed-income, affordable multifamily housing community called Sierra Vista Apartments, which consists of 115 units in this first phase of the project on approximately 7.94 acres. There will be one, two, three, and four bedroom residences, including a manager’s unit, in this phase. The total development costs are expected to be over $35 million with over $22 million in tax credit equity. HACSJ is contributing over $5 million between loan funds and the value of the land and the remainder will be in the form of a mortgage associated with the development.
Present Situation
The utility easements were created to serve the original residences of Sierra Vista Homes. Since the existing units are being demolished, the utilities have been relocated. There are no longer any utilities located in the easement areas. The proposed abandonments will allow HACSJ to build the new units for Sierra Vista Apartments. Four typical units have been constructed at 1526, 1528, 1530, and 1532 South Twelfth Street and are presently occupied. These units are significantly better in quality and appeal than the original units and 100% of the new units will be rent restricted to individuals and families with incomes ranging from 30-50% of the area median.
All City Departments and local utilities were notified of the proposed abandonments at this site and no objections were received.
These abandonments may be performed as a summary vacation under Section 8333 of the Street and Highway Code and a public hearing is not required. That code section provides in relevant parts, that:
“The legislative body of a local agency… may summarily vacate a public service easement… if the easement has been superseded by relocation… and there are no other public facilities located within the easement.”
PUBLIC NOTICE
A legal notice was published in The Record on October 3, 2017.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE
The Community Development Department has determined that this action/project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is granted a “general rule exemption” under Section 15061(B)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines. In accordance with Section 65402 of the Government Code, the Community Development Department further determined that this action/project conforms to the City’s General Plan Policy Document, as amended.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The applicant, HACSJ, has paid the necessary fees to process these abandonments. There is no financial impact to the City.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Aerial Map