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SETTING PUBLIC HEARING TO VACATE A PORTION OF MARKET, VAN BUREN, AND MONROE STREETS RIGHT-OF-WAY AND RESERVING A PUBLIC EASEMENT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Setting a Public Hearing for August 24, 2021 for the proposed vacation of a portion of Market, Van Buren and Monroe Streets.
2. Authorizing City intent to vacate a portion of Market, Van Buren, and Monroe Streets.
3. Authorizing the reservation of a public utility easement.
4. Authorizing the filing of Notice of Exemption No. 21-21 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the abandonment of a portion of Market, Van Buren and Monroe Streets.
5. Authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to take all the necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) requested the City initiate a vacation to abandon streets located at Market, Van Buren, and Monroe Streets to build a new administrative complex (Attachment A-Vicinity Map and Attachment B-Aerial Map). Fee title to the abandonment area is owned by the City of Stockton.
DISCUSSION
Background
On June 23, 2020, by Resolution No. 2020-06-23-1104 (Attachment C - Resolution No. 2020-06-23-1104), the City Council authorized a purchase and sale agreement with SUSD for the disposition of twenty-two (22) City-owned parcels, which make up the Washington Street properties. Under the purchase agreement, the City is to process abandonment of right-of-way portions of Market, Van Buren, and Monroe Streets and waive associated application fees. SUSD provided engineer drawings for Council approval and recordation.
The proposed administrative complex will be approximately 150,000 square feet with 350-375 employees and will include offices, conference rooms, and a board room that will also serve as training and community gathering space. The conceptual plan proposes two structures, one five stories and the other three stories, separated by a vehicle/pedestrian promenade. Parking will be provided to the east and west of the structures.
Present Situation
SUSD requested the City initiate a vacation to abandon streets located at Market, Van Buren, and Monroe Streets as agreed upon in the executed purchase and sale agreement. SUSD owns the two parcels to the north and west that abut these streets. Abandoning these portions of Market, Van Buren, and Monroe Streets will provide a continuous campus for the new administrative complex.
The proposed area to be abandoned consists of approximately 2.17 acres.
The Public Works, Community Development, Municipal Utilities, Police and Fire Departments, as well as local utilities, were notified of the proposed vacation at this site; no objections were received. It is recommended that the proposed abandonment area be reserved as a public utility easement.
The City may perform this proposed abandonment as a general vacation under Division 9, Part 3, Section 8300, et. seq., of the California Streets and Highway Code. A general vacation requires the City Council to select a hearing date, adopt a resolution of intention to vacate, and perform the notification and advertising requirements. A public hearing is required for this proposed abandonment since Market, Van Buren, and Monroe Streets are active rights-of-way and public funds have been used to maintain the area within the past five years.
The Public Works Department concurs with the proposed vacation of these portions of Market, Van Buren and Monroe Streets as the City maintains this portion of roadway under the street maintenance program and the abandonment will reduce future maintenance costs to the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE
It has been determined by the Community Development Department that this project is Categorically Exempt under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(B)(3). The activity constitutes a discretionary project under the City’s jurisdiction and qualifies as a project which has been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, is exempt from the provisions of CEQA under the above-noted statutory or categorical exemption(s).
In accordance with Section 65402 of the Government Code, it has been determined that this project or action conforms to the City’s General Plan designation for the site and with the General Plan Policy Document, as amended.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The City, as part of the purchase and sales agreement with SUSD, has agreed to waive the associated application fees. There is no financial impact to the City.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Aerial Map
Attachment C - Resolution No. 2020-06-23-1104