REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL December 14, 2017 FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director Public Works Department BY: RANDALL W. MORRISON, PE, Assistant Director Public Works Department, Engineering Division JASON A. CAMIT, PLS, Chief Surveyor Public Works Department, Chief Surveyor Section SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to Resolution of Intention No. 1121-D to vacate a portion of the "M"-"N" alley southeasterly of the Mariposa Mall. (Council District 3) 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. EA-17-026. 2. Adopt Resolution of Intention No. 1121-D to vacate a portion of the "M"-"N" alley southeasterly of the Mariposa Mall. ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Council adopt Resolution of Intention No. 1121-D for the proposed vacation of a portion of the "M"-"N" alley southeasterly of the Mariposa Mall, and set the required hearing at 10:05 a.m. on January 11, 2018. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ed Kashian of River Park Properties III is requesting to vacate a portion of the "M"-"N" alley southeasterly of the Mariposa Mall, as described in Exhibit "A", and as shown in Exhibit "B" of the attached Resolution of Intent. This vacation is being requested to provide additional access to the exhibit building on the east corner of the Mariposa Mall and M Street. BACKGROUND The "M"-"N" alley southeasterly of the Mariposa Mall proposed for vacation is a portion of a 20.00 foot wide alley that was originally dedicated by the Map of the Town of Fresno, recorded Volume 1 of Plats at Page 2, Fresno County Records. Portions of Mariposa Street are now designated as the Mariposa Mall and being utilized for pedestrian traffic. The public improvements for the Mariposa Mall prohibit public vehicular traffic. The southeasterly portion of the "M"-"N" alley as shown on said Exhibit "B" has been previously vacated. Currently the remaining alley proposed to be vacated is gated on the northwesterly end and has no public vehicular access. It is currently being used for storage and parking by the adjacent buildings. The Engineering Division, other City departments and utility agencies have reviewed the proposed vacation and determined that the portion of the "M"-"N" alley southeasterly of the Mariposa Mall proposed for vacation is unnecessary for present or prospective public street purposes as described in Exhibit "A", and as shown in Exhibit "B" of the attached Resolution of Intent, subject to the reservation of a public utility easement over the entire area to be vacated. The City Attorney's Office 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 Under the Section 15301(c)/Class 1 exemption, the minor alteration of existing public facilities, such as streets, sidewalks, etc., involving no expansion of use beyond that existing at this time, are exempt from CEQA requirements. The proposed vacation of the above-described land meets the criteria noted above. No significant effects would occur as a result of the proposed project. Therefore, the above described project complies with the conditions described in Section 15301(c)/Class 1 of the CEQA Guidelines. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to this project. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference does not apply because the vacation of a public alley easement does not involve bidding or contracting. FISCAL IMPACT There will be no City funds involved with this vacation. River Park Properties III has paid all processing fees to cover staff cost in accordance with the Master Fee Schedule. Attachments: 12185 M-N Alley vacation_VICINITY MAP 12185 M-N alley vacation_EA-17-026 12185 M-N alley vacation-Resolution of Intent