REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL April 13, 2017 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: ANDREW J. BENELLI, PE, City Engineer/Assistant Director Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Deputy City Engineer/Division Manager Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division JASON A. CAMIT, PLS, Chief Surveyor Public Works Department, Traffic and Engineering Services Division SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to Resolution of Intention No. 1115-D to vacate the W. Lansing-W. Dakota Avenue alley between N. Weber Avenue and N. Feland Avenue. (Council District 1). 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. EA-16-029. 2. Adopt Resolution of Intention No. 1115-D to vacate the West Lansing-W. Dakota Avenue alley between N. Weber Avenue and N. Feland Avenue. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City of Fresno to adopt Resolution of Intention No. 1115-D for the proposed vacation of the West Lansing-West Dakota Avenue alley between North Weber Avenue and North Feland Avenue, and set the required hearing at 10:00 a.m., May 11, 2017. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Craig Frantzich, owner of a portion of property adjacent to the area is requesting to vacate the West Lansing-West Dakota Avenue alley between North Weber Avenue and North Feland Avenue as shown on Exhibit "A" of the attached Resolution of Intention. The purpose of the proposed vacation is to eliminate illegal dumping and allow the adjacent property owners to secure the alley. BACKGROUND The residents that own property adjacent to this alley have been experiencing many cases of illegal dumping in the alley proposed for vacation. These residents are burdened with the removal of these items that create a blighted area in the neighborhood. Some of the residents have also been victim of theft and would like to secure the alley to eliminate these issues. The area proposed for vacation is a 20-foot wide alley. The alley is located south of West Lansing Way and north of West Dakota Avenue, between North Weber Avenue and North Feland Avenue. This alley was dedicated as an easement in Block 2 of map of the Dakota Hi-Way Tract, recorded April 11, 1928 in Book 10 of Plat maps, at Page 91, Fresno County Records. The Traffic and Engineering Services Division, other City departments and utility agencies have reviewed the proposed vacation and determined that the portion right-of-way proposed for vacation is unnecessary for present or prospective public street purposes as shown in Exhibit "A" of the attached Resolution of Intent, subject to the reservation of a public utility easement over the entire area proposed for vacation. City Attorney has approved the attached Resolution of Intention 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 Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined this project is exempt under Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because it involves a vacation of an alley which is not an expansion of use beyond that existing at this time. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project. LOCAL PREFERENCE Not applicable because the vacation of public right-of-way does not involve bidding or contracting. FISCAL IMPACT There will be no City funds involved with this vacation. Craig Frantzich, the adjacent property owner has paid all processing fees to cover staff cost in accordance with the Master Fee Schedule. Attachments: Vicinity Map EA-16-026 Resolution of Intent No. 1115-D