REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
July 16, 2015
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
JILL GORMLEY, PE, City Traffic Engineer/Division Manager
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
BY: ALAN JAMES, Supervising Engineering Technician
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt Resolution of Intention No. 1100-D to vacate portions of E. Thomas Avenue and the Thomas-Harvey Alley, both between N. Orchard Avenue and State Route Freeway 41, and N. Orchard Avenue between E. Thomas Avenue (to the east) and State Route Freeway 41 (Council District 7)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt Resolution of Intention No. 1100-D for the proposed vacation of portions of East Thomas Avenue and the Thomas-Harvey Alley, both between North Orchard Avenue and State Route Freeway 41, and North Orchard Avenue between East Thomas Avenue (to the east) and State Route Freeway 41 as shown on Exhibit “A” of the attached Resolution of Intention, and set the required public hearing at 2:15 p.m. on August 20, 2015.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City’s Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department is requesting the proposed vacation. The purpose of the vacation is to eliminate the public rights-of-way and incorporate the area into Frank Romain Playground Park to accommodate proposed improvements to the park.
BACKGROUND
PARCS Department proposes to install improvements at Frank Romain Playground Park that include the following: (1) incorporation of the area proposed to be vacated into the park, said area will be used to add green space to the park, park playgrounds, and improve safety design features, (2) incorporation of a City owned parcel of land to be utilized as a parking lot, (3) installation of a permanent skate park, and (4) installation of a community garden.
The Traffic and Engineering Services Division, other City departments and utility agencies have reviewed the proposed vacation and determined that the rights-of-way proposed for vacation are unnecessary for present or prospective public street or public alley purposes subject to the reservation of a public utility easement over a portion of the area proposed to be vacated as shown on Exhibit “B”, and the conditions listed on Exhibit “C” of the attached Resolution of Intention.
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.
The City Attorney's Office has approved the attached Resolution of Intention as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This project was previously assessed and determined to be within the scope of the Master Environmental Impact Report (MEIR) SCH No. 2012111015 prepared for the new Fresno General Plan Update adopted by the Fresno City Council on December 18, 2014. The Finding of Conformity, for Environmental Assessment No. EA-15-007 was adopted by the City on March 30, 2015, in connection with the project as described in EA-15-007. This approval is to implement a portion of that project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Not applicable because the vacation of public right-of-way does not involve bidding or contracting.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as the recommended action is simply vacating and transferring the referenced parcels to the Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Resolution of Intention