REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 14, 2019
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director
Public Works Department
HARMANJIT S. DHALIWAL, Professional Engineer
Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the dedication of a portion of City-owned property for the purpose of a Public Street easement, to accommodate the construction of North Willow Avenue between East Copper Avenue and East International Avenue (Council District 6)
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301, Section 15302, and Section 15304 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Impact Report No 10126
2. RESOLUTION - Dedicating a portion of a City-owned property for the purpose of constructing public street improvements for Willow Avenue between East Copper Avenue and East International Avenue
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council adopt the attached resolution dedicating a portion City-owned property for the purpose of a public street easement to accommodate the construction of North Willow Avenue between East Copper Avenue and East International Avenue.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Granville Homes and the Assemi Group are undertaking the widening of southbound Willow Avenue near Copper Avenue. The project will consist of the construction to the ultimate right of way for North Willow Avenue which is partially located on a City-owned parcel. This parcel is currently designated as open space for Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail. The westerly portion of the City-owned property is where the existing trail is located on the City-owned parcel and the dedication of public street easement will be the easterly thirty-three feet. The Official Plan Line for Willow Avenue was adopted by the City Council and was recorded on March 27, 2002, establishing the ultimate right-of-way. Previous improvement projects along the Willow Avenue corridor have required the dedication of slivers of City-owned property for public street purposes, consistently with the recorded Official Plan Line. The construction will consist of curb and gutter, new asphalt concrete pavement for two travel lanes and a bike lane. The project also includes reconstruction of portions of an existing twelve-foot wide meandering bike and pedestrian trail. The proposed public street easement dedication is described in Exhibit “A” and shown in Exhibit “B” of the attached resolution.
BACKGROUND
This property was acquired by the City for widening of North Willow Avenue and for construction of the Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail. The proposed public street easement dedication as described in Exhibit “A” and shown in Exhibit “B” of the attached resolution would dedicate the sliver of City-owned property for public street purposes, to allow for the construction of North Willow Avenue and allow the public utilities to be placed in the franchise area in lieu of private property.
The Traffic Operations and Planning Division and other City departments have determined that existing utility easements exist within the area proposed for public trail and pedestrian easement dedication as shown in Exhibit “B” of the attached resolution. These utility easements are in favor of the public, as well as Pacific Gas and Electric Company and will remain in place.
The City Attorney's Office has approved the attached resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This project is exempt under Section 15301/Class 1, Section 15302/Class 2 and 15304/Class 4 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Under this Section 15301/Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines, exempts from the provisions of CEQA, projects consisting of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting or minor alterations of existing public or private structures or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency's determination. Examples include, but are not limited to, existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails and other similar public facilities (including road grading for the purposes of public safety); restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities or mechanical equipment; and, maintenance of existing landscaping, native growth, and water supply.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply because the dedication of public street, trail, pedestrian, and public utilities easements does not involve bidding or contracting.
FISCAL IMPACT
The street improvements to Willow Avenue and Copper Avenue are being completed by Granville Homes and the Assemi Group. The improvements will be eligible for reimbursement from the City’s Development Impact Fee Program. No General Fund allocations are being used on this project.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
EIR No. 10126
Resolution
Exhibit “A” and “B”