REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 8, 2018
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
M. SCOTT TYLER, PE, Public Works Manager
Public Works Department, Project Management Section
SUBJECT
Title
Consider initiation of annexation of the Shepherd-Willow No. 3 Reorganization for the street right-of-way for Shepherd Avenue and Willow Avenue and the property located on the southwest corner of Shepherd Avenue and Willow Avenue. (Council District 6 and County of Fresno)
1. ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the City Manager to initiate annexation of the “Shepherd-Willow No. 3 Reorganization” with the Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for the detachment of an approximately 6.53 net acre site from the Fresno County Fire Protection District and the Kings River Conservation District in order to annex the same territory to the City of Fresno. (Subject to Mayor’s veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to initiate annexation of the “Shepherd-Willow No. 3 Reorganization” with the Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for the detachment of an approximately 6.53 net acre site from the Fresno County Fire Protection District and the Kings River Conservation District in order to annex the same territory to the City of Fresno.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno proposes to annex the territory underlying the planned Sugar Pine Trailhead / Park and Ride at the southwest corner of Shepherd and Willow Avenues. In addition to the right-of-way which makes up the majority of the property sought to be annexed, the City also owns the 0.42 acre property (APN 403-050-66) underlying the prospective park and ride facility. As previously approved by the Council, the City is planning to use Federal grant funding to construct a parking lot with approximately 40 parking stalls, construct an exercise station, and install surrounding landscaping to compliment the existing Sugar Pine Trail adjacent to the parcel. The Sugar Pine Trail (Rails to Trails property - APNs 403-050-64 and 68) is currently in the County as well, but was constructed several years ago as a City capital improvement and has always been maintained by the City.
The City maintains the portions of Shepherd Avenue and Willow Avenues lying within the City’s Sphere of Influence, but technically under County jurisdiction. The proposed annexation area will include this street right-of-way, the parcels currently used for the Sugar Pine Trail, and the parcel of the proposed Sugar Pine Trailhead / Park and Ride.
BACKGROUND
The list of properties to be annexed includes approximately 6.53 net acres, the majority of which is currently being used for street and trail purposes. The proposed Sugar Pine Trailhead / Park and Ride would complement the existing adjacent trail along Willow Avenue.
LAFCo policy requires all property within an annexation area to be “pre-zoned” unless satisfactory evidence is presented that the current use is consistent with the City of Fresno General Plan and corresponding community plan prior to annexation. Pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-203, the Director has determined that the pre-zone is not applicable. As such, staff seeks direction to submit an application for annexation to LAFCo.
Annexation of the subject site will facilitate continuity of municipal services for maintaining the road, trail, and park and ride areas. City Council action is requested to authorize staff to file an application with LAFCO to initiate the Shepherd-Willow No.3 Reorganization and annex the subject site to the City of Fresno.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment (EA No. P18-02890) of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in Sections 15301/Class 1 and 15319/Class 19 which exempts (1) minor alteration of existing public or private facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of use and (2) annexations of individual small parcels because the project is annexing a portion of street right-of-way and City owned properties into the City of Fresno. Furthermore, Staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this proposal does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
Affirmative action by the Council will result in timely deliverance of the review and processing of the application for the Sugar Pine Trailhead / Park and Ride project. The General Fund will not be impacted by this action.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Exhibit “A”
Resolution