HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 1390City of Palo Alto (ID # 1390)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 3/21/2011
March 21, 2011 Page 1 of 2
(ID # 1390)
Summary Title: Adoption of a Resolution Vacating Easements UG 41
Title: Adoption of a Resolution Summarily Vacating Public Service Easements
within areas of Underground Utility District No. 41
From:City Manager
Lead Department: Administrative Services
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council approve the attached Resolution Summarily Vacating public
service utility easements within areas of Underground Utility District 41 (Attachment A).
Background
On April 25, 2005, the Council passed Resolution of Intent No. 8515 to establish Underground
Utility District No. 41 (CMR:200:05). On July 11, 2005, the City Council adopted Ordinance No.
4882 to create Underground Utility District No. 41 (CMR:304:05), which provided for the
removal of poles, overhead lines and associated overhead structures in areas contiguous with
portions of Colorado Avenue, Middlefield Road, Oregon Expressway and Cowper Street. The
removal of the overhead utility facilities and construction of replacement underground facilities
has now been completed.
Discussion
The Utilities Department has completed the conversion of overhead electric service to the new
underground system and the poles and lines from the old rear service areas have now been
removed. The attached Resolution will vacate several of the rear pole line easements for public
service utilities within certain areas of Underground Utility District 41. The easements to be
vacated are shown with bold lines and X’s on the map, attached to the Resolution as Exhibit B.
The vacation is in accordance with the Streets and Highways Code which authorizes the City
Council to summarily vacate public service easements for utilities when the easements have
been superseded by relocation and there are no other public facilities located within the
easements. Staff has received confirmation from the City Utilities, Public Works and Planning
departments, as well as AT&T, formerly Pacific Bell, that there are no existing utilities within the
easements, and there is no plan or future need for the easements. As these easements are not
necessary for any present or future use they may be summarily vacated in accordance with
Section 8333 of the California Streets and Highways Code.
Resource Impact
March 21, 2011 Page 2 of 2
(ID # 1390)
The easement vacation processing fee of $1,675.00, as set forth in the Municipal Fee Schedule,
is not applicable to City-initiated easement vacations in Underground Utility Districts.
Policy Implications
The recommendation does not represent any change to City policies. The Planning Department
has determined that the vacation of these easements is in conformity with the Palo Alto
Comprehensive Plan.
Environmental Review
The proposed summary vacation is categorically exempt from the review under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 California Code of Regulations Section
15305 as a minor alteration in land use limitations.
Attachments:
·Attachment A: UD District 41 Resolution (PDF)
Prepared By:Martha Miller, Manager, Real Property
Department Head:Lalo Perez, Director
City Manager Approval: James Keene, City Manager