Title
AUTHORIZING THE SUMMARY VACATION AND ABANDONMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENTS ON A PORTION OF SIERRA VISTA APARTMENTS
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council adopt a resolution:
1. Approving the summary abandonment of public utility easements on a portion of Seven Oaks Unit No. 2, better known as Sierra Vista Apartments, on Eleventh Street, between Phelps and Belleview Streets; and
2. Approving the summary abandonment of public utility easements on a portion of Seven Oaks Unit No. 2, better known as Sierra Vista Apartments, on Eleventh Street, between Phelps and Tiffany Streets; and
3. Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to take all necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The applicant, the Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin (“HACSJ”), is requesting the abandonment of sewer easements and sanitary sewer and storm water easements located on a portion of a 43.36 acre parcel along Eleventh Street (Attachment A - Vicinity Map and Attachment B - Aerial Map) to allow for 115 new residential units, known as Sierra Vista Apartments Phase 2. 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 and a portion of the units on the north side of Twelfth have been demolished as part of the Sierra Vista Phase 1 redevelopment. HACSJ, in conjunction with its nonprofit partner, Delta Community Development Corporation, and Co-Developer, Central California Housing Corporation plan to develop Sierra Vista Phase 2 Apartments, affordable multifamily housing community which consists of 100 units on approximately 7.318 acres. Sierra Vista Apartments Phase 2 will consist of one, two, three, and four bedroom residences, including a manager’s unit. The total development costs are expected to be over $42 million with over $24 million in tax credit equity. HACSJ is contributing over $6 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. The City of Stockton is also contributing over $1 million in loan funds to the redevelopment efforts.
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. Additionally, Sierra Vista Phase 1, which consists of 115 units on 7.94 acres is currently under construction and expected to be completed in Spring 2019. 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 24, 2018.
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