REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL November 19, 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 HEARING - Regarding the vacation of the Lorena-Geary Alley, E. Geary Avenue, and the Geary-Florence Alley, all between S. Plumas Street and S. Walnut Street (Council District 3) 1. RESOLUTION - Ordering the vacation of the Lorena-Geary Alley, E. Geary Avenue, and the Geary-Florence Alley, all between S. Plumas Street and S. Walnut Street ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council conduct the required public hearing and, at the close of the hearing, adopt the attached resolution ordering the vacation of the Lorena-Geary Alley, East Geary Avenue, and the Geary-Florence Alley, all between South Plumas Street and South Walnut Street, as shown on Exhibit "A" of the attached resolution. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Edison Plaza Partners, L.P. is requesting the proposed vacation. The purpose of the vacation is to accommodate development as proposed by Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. C-15-007. BACKGROUND CUP No. C-15-007 proposes the construction of a 128 unit multi-family affordable/market rate residential project to be constructed in two 64 unit phases. The project includes a 4,500 square foot community center, landscaping, parking (including carports) and related improvements on property currently owned by the Successor Agency of the Former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fresno. The street and alleys proposed to be vacated were dedicated as easements for public street and alley purposes by the map of Long Brother's Addition. 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 alley purposes subject to the reservation of public utility easements over portions of the areas to be vacated as shown on Exhibit "B" of the attached resolution. On October 29, 2015, the Council adopted Resolution of Intention No. 1102-D, setting the time and place for the public hearing at 2:00 p.m. on November 19, 2015, in the Council Chambers at Fresno City Hall. The public hearing has been duly noticed in accordance with the Public Streets, Highways, and Service Easements Vacation Law. The City Attorney's Office has approved the attached resolution 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. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS The proposed vacation is included in the project description of Environmental Assessment No. C-15-007 with a finding of Mitigated Negative Declaration that the proposed project will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. The project as well as the environmental finding and assessment were approved by the Planning Commission on February 25, 2015. A Notice of Determination was filed on February 27, 2015. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference does not apply 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. Edison Plaza Partners, L.P has paid all processing fees to cover staff cost in accordance with the Master Fee Schedule. Attachments: Vicinity Map Resolution