REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: jill m. Gormley, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
JASON A. CAMIT, PLS, Chief Surveyor
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING to Vacate two portions of City-owned right of way located at the eastern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Fulton Street, and the southern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Van Ness Avenue (Council District 3):
1. ***RESOLUTION - Vacate two portions of City-owned right of way located at the eastern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Fulton Street, and the southern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Van Ness Avenue. (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council conduct the required public hearing and at the close of the hearing, adopt the attached resolution approving the vacation of two portions of City-owned right of way located at the eastern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Fulton Street, and the southern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Van Ness Avenue.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno owns two portions of undeveloped public street right of way comprised of 1) 0.19-acre (8,413 square feet) located at the eastern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Fulton Street, and 2) 0.45-acre (19,487 square feet) located at the southern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Van Ness Avenue, totaling 0.64-acre (27,900 square feet) (the “Subject Property”). The City acquired fee title ownership of both portions of right of way from the former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fresno on April 26, 1972. The Housing Authority of the City of Fresno (“Housing Authority”) owns the parcels adjacent to the Subject Property, which are designated for mixed-use development. The proposed development will also include the proposed vacation of excess right of way. The Housing Authority is proposing to vacate both portions of the public street right of way. One located at the eastern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Fulton Street, and the other at the southern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Van Ness Avenue. The purpose of this proposed vacation is to enable higher-density mixed-income housing, as well as to provide additional parking and commercial/retail uses as part of the proposed development of the public right of way abutting the property. The vacation of this portion will accommodate Zone Clearance Application Number P24-03984. The proposed development project is consistent with the Fresno General Plan.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno owns a combined 0.64-acre (27,900 square feet) portion of undeveloped public street right of way consisting of two segments. One at the eastern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Fulton Street, and the other at the southern intersection of Tuolumne Street and Van Ness Avenue. These portions no longer function as public streets and are not needed by the City for any future use.
The adjacent parcels are all owned by the Housing Authority, and are designated for mixed-use development. The Housing Authority is proposing to vacate both portions of the right of way to accommodate the development of affordable housing on approximately 1.73 acres of land, consisting of three contiguous parcels under its ownership.
The proposed vacation will support higher-density mixed-income housing and provide space for additional parking and commercial/retail uses as part of the development of the right of way abutting the Subject Property.
The Public Works Department, other City departments and utility agencies have reviewed the proposed vacation and determined that the public street easement proposed for vacation is unnecessary for present or prospective public street purposes, as described in Exhibit A and as shown on Exhibit “B”, subject to the reservation of a public easement as shown on Exhibit C, and conditions of approval as listed in Exhibit D, said exhibits are included in the attached Resolution to Vacate.
The City will be disposing of this portion of land in accordance with the Surplus Land Act.
City Attorney’s Office has approved the attached Resolution to Vacate as to form.
The vacation, if approved by the Council at the public hearing, will become effective when the vacating resolution is recorded in the office of the Fresno County Recorder, but not until the City Engineer determines that the conditions listed in the attached resolution have been satisfied and accepted by the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Environmental Assessment Number CP00004 is Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15301 Class 1 and Section 15302 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, approved by Council on October 16, 2025.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply because the vacation of a public street easement does not involve bidding or contracting.
FISCAL IMPACT
This vacation is located in Council District 3 and there will be no City funds involved with this vacation. Fresno Housing Authority paid all processing fees to cover staff costs in accordance with the Master Fee Schedule.
Attachments:
Van Ness Tuolumne Vicinity Map
Van Ness Tuolumne Resolution to Vacate