HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 7812
City of Palo Alto (ID # 7812)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 3/20/2017
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: 101 Auxiliary Project Parcels Relinquishments Acceptance
and Release of Parcels
Title: Authorize Acceptance of Relinquishment of One Parcel from the State
of California (Caltrans) and the Release and Quitclaim of Nine Parcels to the
State of California (Caltrans) for the 101 Auxiliary Project between the State
Route 85 (SR 85) Interchange in Mountain View and the Embarcadero Road
Interchange and the Replacement of the San Francisquito Creek Bridge
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Administrative Services
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to release and quitclaim the following parcel to the State of
California, Department of Transportation;
Parcel 62710-1 as shown on the attached Attachment “A”
2. Authorize the City Manager to release and quitclaim the following parcels to the State of
California, Department of Transportation;
As shown on the attached Attachment “B”
Parcel 61920-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-1”,
Parcel 61931-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-2”,
Parcel 61932-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-3”,
Parcel 61933-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-4”,
Parcel 61934-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-5”,
Parcel 61935-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-6”,
Parcel 61936-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-7”,
Parcel 61937-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-8”.
City of Palo Alto Page 2
3. Authorize the City Manager to accept the Relinquishment of the following Parcel by the
State of California, Department of Transportation to City of Palo Alto.
REL No. 56092 as shown on the attached Attachment “C”
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is seeking Council approval to transfer the ownership of nine parcels from the City of Palo
Alto to the State of California, Department of Transportation (State) and to accept
relinquishment of a parcel by the State of California to the City of Palo Alto. Section 83 of the
Street and Highway Code of State of California gives the right to the State to use any public
street or highway or portion thereof which is within the boundaries of a state highway,
including a traversable highway adopted or designated as a state highway that constitute a part
of the right of way of such state highway without compensation being paid. The State shall have
jurisdiction over and responsibility for the maintenance of the parcels. The State took
possession of the parcels from the City to use in the Highway 101 improvement and San
Francisquito Creek Bridge projects. City Council approval of the transfer and acceptance of the
parcels will finalize the process.
BACKGROUND
History
The Highway 101 Auxiliary Lane Project proposed to construct auxiliary lanes, extend existing
second High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, and undertake associated ramp improvements
including ramp widening and installing/activating ramp metering in both directions of U.S.
Route 101 (US 101) in Santa Clara County between the State Route 85 (SR 85) interchange in
the City of Mountain View and the Embarcadero Road interchange in the City of Palo Alto. In
conjunction with this project, Caltrans has been working on another project in this area for the
purpose of replacing the bridge at San Francisquito Creek and incorporating an extra opening
for flood control purposes.
The general purpose of these projects was to relieve existing and future traffic congestion at
freeway on-ramp and off-ramp connections, improve safety along the US 101 corridor, and
provide for improved local access over this segment of the US 101 corridor.
The majority of the project improvements were constructed within existing State right of way.
However, some minor right of way acquisitions were needed at some locations as well as
temporary construction easements. The project sponsor/requestor is the Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority (VTA). Funding for project development, engineering, right of way,
environmental documentation, construction and construction support for the project was from
a combination of Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA) Program funds and VTA Local
Program Reserve funds. There was no federal funding for this project. The Highway 101
Auxiliary Lane Project has been completed and the bridge project should be finished by October
of 2017.
City of Palo Alto Page 3
DISCUSSION
On November 16, 2010, the Department of Transportation of State of California, notified the
City of Palo Alto of plans for Highway 101 Auxiliary Lane Project (Attachment D) Route 101 in
the City of Palo Alto was to be improved by the State Department of Transportation and Santa
Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). The Department had reviewed the project’s right
of way needs and it had identified a portion of right of way under the jurisdiction of the City of
Palo Alto that required transfer to the State by Application of Section 83 of the Street and
Highways Code (Attachment E). This transaction was to be consummated by quitclaim deeds
from the City of Palo Alto to the State after the completion of the project. The Section 83 letter
notifies City/State of the States’ intension to incorporate the parcel(s) into the State Highway
System. Also included is a quitclaim deed which includes final plats of the parcels involved.
Both the quitclaim deed and plats have been reviewed and approved by Caltrans.
Caltrans also notified the City on May 20, 2013 by sending an additional Section 83 Right of
Way (Attachment F) letter regarding further improvements to U.S. Route 101 in The City of Palo
Alto for the purpose of the San Francisquito bridge replacement and construction of an extra
opening for flood control. It was originally anticipated that the bridge would be widened to
accommodate a proposed auxiliary lane on US 101. However after further studies, it was
determined that the bridge, which was built in 1931, should be replaced due to its deteriorated
condition. The new bridge will be larger and will carry five lanes of traffic in each direction on
US 101. This letter transferred the use of parcel 62710-1 from jurisdiction of the City to
Caltrans. Also included is a quitclaim deed, which includes the final plat of the subject parcel.
Both the quitclaim deed and plats have been reviewed and approved by Caltrans.
In addition, a separate relinquishment document is required to transfer a portion of East
Bayshore Road from the State to the City. On August 15, 2016, the City received a notice of
relinquishment (Attachment G) that would transfer a portion of East Bay Shore Road along US
101 shown on the attached map to the City of Palo Alto to be used as City Streets. California
Transportation Commission approved the relinquishment on December 7, 2016 by approving
Resolution R-3971 (as was shown on Attachment C). This portion was acquired by Caltrans from
Alviso Salt Company on October 30, 1931 according to official record. The segment contains
44,609 square feet and it will not be utilized in the use of 101 Freeway. Finally, the
relinquishment document, which will transfer a portion of East Bayshore Road from Caltrans is
attached for Council review and acceptance. The relinquishment area is part of the public right
of way of East Bay Shore to be used as a public street.
The work on the US 101 Auxiliary Lanes Project in the City of Palo Alto has been completed. The
transfer of land parcels (nine parcels) between the City of Palo Alto and State needs to be
finalized by processing of the quitclaim deeds that are required to transfer right of way to the
State by application of Section 83 of the Streets and Highways Code and the relinquishment of a
parcel by the State and the acceptance by the City. The San Francisquito Creek bridge
replacement work affecting parcel 62710-1 is still in progress. This parcel was transferred from
City of Palo Alto Page 4
City of Palo Alto to the State of California by Section 83 of the Street and Highway Codes. The
City will transfer the title to Caltrans to facilitate the administrative process prior to the
completion of the project since the segment is now part of the Highway 101 freeway.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The transfer of parcels and the relinquishment have no resource impact on the City of Palo Alto.
Caltrans will continue to maintain the properties quitclaimed to the State. City will continue to
maintain the relinquishment area which is part of the public right of way of East Bay Shore to
be used as a public street.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The recommendations of this report are consistent with Council’s priorities to support
transportation infrastructure project in the City of Palo Alto.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The land transfers approved here are not considered a project or projects for the purpose of
the California Environmental Quality Act.
Attachments:
Attachment A: Quitclaim Deed
Attachment B: Quitcalim Deed & Exhibits A1-A8
Attachment C: Relinquishment of Righ of Way
Attachment D: Section 83 Letter Caltrans To City HWY 101
Attachment E: Street and Highway Codes - Section 70-86
Attachment F: Section 83 Letter Caltrans to City 101 Bridge
Attachment G: Relinquishment Letter Caltrans to City
Attachment H: Resolution 101 Hwy Caltrans 101 Project
Attachment H
***NOT YET APPROVED***
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Resolution No. XXXX
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto approving quitclaiming
nine right of way parcels to the State of California and acceptance of a
right of way parcel from the State of California
R E C I T A L S
A. Caltrans embarked on the Highway 101 Auxiliary Lane Project to construct auxiliary
lanes, extend existing second High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, and undertake associated
ramp improvements including ramp widening and installing/activating ramp metering in both
directions of U.S. Route 101 (US 101) in Santa Clara County between the State Route 85 (SR 85)
interchange in the City of Mountain View and the Embarcadero Road interchange in the City of
Palo Alto. In conjunction with this project, Caltrans has been working on another project in this
area for the purpose of replacing the bridge at San Francisquito Creek and incorporating an
extra opening for flood control purposes.
B. Section 83 of the Street and Highway Code of State of California gives the right
to the State to use any public street or highway or portion thereof which is within the boundaries
of a state highway, including a traversable highway adopted or designated as a state highway that
constitute a part of the right of way of such state highway without compensation being paid
therefor.
C. On November 16, 2010, the Department of Transportation of State of California,
notified the City of Palo Alto of plans for Highway 101 Auxiliary Lane Project Route 101 in the
City of Palo Alto was to be improved by the State Department of Transportation and Santa Clara
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). The Department had reviewed the project’s right of way
needs and it had identified a portion of right of way under the jurisdiction of the City of Palo
Alto that required transfer to the State by Application of Section 83 of the Street and Highways
Code. This transaction was to be consummated by quitclaim deeds from the City of Palo Alto to
the State after the completion of the project. The Section 83 letter notifies City/State of the
Stats’ intension to incorporate the parcel(s) into the State Highway System. Also included is a
quitclaim deed which includes final plats of the involved. Both the quitclaim deed and plats
have been reviewed and approved by Caltrans.
D. Caltrans notified the City on May 20, 2013 by sending an additional Section 83
Right of Way letter regarding improvements to U.S. Route 101 in The City of Palo Alto for the
purpose of the San Francisquito bridge replacement and construction of an extra opening for
floor control.
E. On August 15, 2016, the City received a notice of relinquishment that would
transfer a portion of East Bay Shore Road along US 101 shown on the attached map to the City
of Palo Alto to be used as City Streets. California Transportation Commission approved the
relinquishment on December 7, 2016 by approving Resolution R-3971. The segment contains
44,609 square feet and it will not be utilized in the use of 101 Freeway.
Attachment H
***NOT YET APPROVED***
2
The Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Manager hereby is authorized to execute quitclaim deeds to
transfer the following parcels from the City of Palo Alto to State of California
Parcel 62710-1 as shown on the attachment “A”
As shown on the attached attachment “B”
Parcel 61920-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-1”,
Parcel 61931-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-2”,
Parcel 61932-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-3”,
Parcel 61933-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-4”,
Parcel 61934-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-5”,
Parcel 61935-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-6”,
Parcel 61936-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-7”,
Parcel 61937-1 as shown on the attached Exhibit “A-8”.
SECTION 2. The City Manager is authorized to accept parcel REL No. 56092 as
shown on the attached attachment “C” that has been relinquished by State of California.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby finds that the grant of right of way parcels to
the State of California and acceptance of the relinquishment of a right of way parcel
from the state is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
SECTION 4. Effective Date: This resolution shall take effect immediately
following adoption.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Attachment H
***NOT YET APPROVED***
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City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Manager
Senior Asst. City Attorney
Director of Planning and
Community Environment