REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 17, 2016
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
CRAIG L. HANSEN, Supervising Real Estate Agent
Public Works Department, Real Estate Services Section
BY: PETE CALDWELL, Senior Real Estate Agent
Public Works Department, Real Estate Services Section
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the acquisition of 2.97 acres from APN 504-081-17s, owned by Gerald T. Griffin, for the construction of the Veterans Boulevard interchange over State Route 99 (Council District 2):
1. Approve the acquisition of 2.97 acres of property owned by Gerald T. Griffin in the amount of $490,000 for the construction of the Veterans Boulevard interchange over State Route 99 near Bullard Avenue and Bryan Avenue;
2. Authorize the Public Works Director, or his designee, to sign all documents necessary to complete the transaction.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the acquisition of 2.97 acres of property owned by Gerald T. Griffin in the amount of $490,000 for the construction of the Veterans Boulevard interchange over State Route 99 near Bullard Avenue and Bryan Avenue; and authorize the Public Works Director, or his designee, to sign all documents necessary to complete the transaction.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno, in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), proposes to build a new interchange over State Route 99 at Veterans Boulevard, plus supporting roadway improvements in northwest Fresno. The improvements will add a new interchange to State Route 99 between Shaw Avenue and Herndon Avenue as well as a new city arterial roadway that will enhance the local circulation network. The property owner, Gerald T. Griffin, has agreed to the appraised value of $490,000 for the acquisition of 2.97 acres located along the proposed interchange over State Route 99 near Bullard Avenue and Bryan Avenue. This parcel will be used for the southbound Route 99 exit ramp to Veterans Boulevard and will be transferred to Caltrans ownership when the interchange is completed.
BACKGROUND
Veterans Boulevard, originally referred to as the Herndon-Grantland Diagonal, was part of the 1984 General Plan and is a planned 6-lane super arterial in the 2025 General Plan. The interchange idea was refined in 1986 with a feasibility study conducted to analyze potential interchange/grade separation configurations, with the intention of determining the alternative best suited to the site and the proposed Veterans Boulevard. In 1991, a Project Initiation Document was completed, and in 1996, the official plan line for Veterans Boulevard was adopted. In recent years, staff has completed the Project Study Report (PSR), Project Report, and Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Veterans Boulevard and the proposed interchange with State Route 99 are identified as part of the Circulation Element in both the City and County General Plans. The new interchange would be a partial cloverleaf connecting State Route 99 and Veterans Boulevard. A new Veterans Boulevard overcrossing would span State Route 99 with three northbound and three southbound lanes, a Class I bicycle lane/pedestrian trail on the west side of the structure, and Class II bicycle lanes on both sides. Veterans Boulevard will have ramps connecting to Golden State Boulevard and will span over the Union Pacific Railroad. Drainage basins will be built to retain water runoff from the project. Typical freeway interchange landscaping will be provided. The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form the proposed Purchase and Sale Agreement.
The fee simple acquisition of this property located near Bullard Avenue and Bryan Avenue west of State Route 99 (APN 504-081-17s), was appraised by Kelly P. Stevens of Real Property Analysts, under the direction of Lawrence D. Hopper, MAI. and by David S. Hayward, of Hayward Appraisal Company, Inc.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The proposed project is a joint project by Caltrans and the City of Fresno, and is subject to state and federal environmental review requirements. Project documentation, including an EIR, has been prepared in compliance with both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Caltrans is the lead agency under NEPA and CEQA. In addition, the Federal Highway Administration’s responsibility for environmental review, consultation, and any other action required in accordance with applicable Federal laws for this project is being, or has been, carried out by Caltrans under its assumption of responsibility pursuant to 23 United States Code 327.
An initial study and EIR (SCH No. 2010021054) was prepared for this project and adopted on June 7, 2013. This approval is to implement a portion the project. An analysis has been performed pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15162 to determine whether subsequent environmental review is required for this project. Based upon this analysis the following findings are made to support the determination that no subsequent environmental review is required:
1. No substantial changes are proposed in the project which will require major revisions to the EIR due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects, because the project is being implemented as planned
2. No substantial changes occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the project was undertaken which will require major revisions to the EIR due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects. The project will not have any significant effects not discussed in the EIR, and there are no mitigations measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible that are now feasible.
3. There is no new information, which was not known and could not have been known at the time of the EIR that was not discussed in the EIR.
Based upon these findings, it has been determined that no further environmental documentation is required for this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because the acquisition of this property does not include a bid or award of construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Veterans Boulevard project is being funded through Measure “C” Tier 1 Regional funds, Citywide Regional Street Impact fees, State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding, Regional Transportation Mitigation Fees (RTMF) and Federal transportation funds. The $130 million Veterans Boulevard Project which is located in Council District 2 will have no impact upon the General Fund.
Attachments:
Veterans Blvd Vicinity Map
APN Vicinity Map
Purchase and Sales Agreement