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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/16/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.F. ;04?ALMS,, V N L abo pn0,'fir /FOR 'P^ CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT January 16, 2008 CONSENT CALENDAR Subject: SUMMARY VACATION OF A PORTION OF ALEJO ROAD IN SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 4 EAST; FILE R-07 51 From: David H. Ready, City Manager Initiated by: Public Works and Engineering Department SUMMARY The Streets and Highways Code of the State of California allows the City to consider summarily vacating streets by following a streamlined process under certain conditions. In this case, the City Council may summarily vacate an excess right-of-way of a street not required for street purposes; the excess right-of-way may be summarily vacated through the adoption of a Resolution, without a Public Hearing. RECOMMENDATION: 1) Adopt Resolution No. "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, SUMMARILY VACATING AND ABANDONING ALL ITS RIGHT, TITLE AND INTERESTS TO A PORTION OF ALEJO ROAD, IN SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 4 EAST; FILE R-07-51." STAFF ANALYSIS: On November 29, 2007, staff received a request from Mr. Mario Berardi and Mrs. Rochelle Morgan to vacate excess public right-of-way for Alejo Road adjacent to their properties located at 343 E. Via Colusa and 535 E. Via Colusa. Alejo Road east of Indian Canyon Drive was previously designated as a Major Thoroughfare requiring 100 feet of right-of-way. However, the south boundary of the Palm Springs Estates (otherwise known as the Las Palmas neighborhood) extends to the centerline of Alejo Road, and no right-of-way was originally reserved for it on the subdivision map. Of the nine lots within the Palm Springs Estates located on Via Colusa with rear frontage on Alejo Road, all except two had previously been developed. In February 1989 the property owners of the parcel currently owned by Mrs. Morgan applied with the ITEM NO. Lr Alelo Road Summary Vacation January 16, 2008 Page 2 City to construct a single family home. Included with the City's conditional approval of the building permit was a requirement to dedicate to the City 50 feet of right-of-way for Alejo Road, pursuant to the General Plan. In May 1999, the property owner of the parcel currently owned by Mr. Berardi applied with the City to construct a single family home. Similarly, the City's conditional approval of a building permit required dedication of 50 feet of right-of-way for Alejo Road. All lots fronting on Alejo Road between Indian Canyon Drive and Via Miraleste are developed. At the westerly end is The Heavenstone Collection, a new subdivision of 6 homes that was approved by the City Council in March 2002, The City's conditional approval of this subdivision required dedication of 50 feet of right-of-way and the widening of Alejo Road to a major thoroughfare standard along its frontage. East of The Heavestone development, single family homes have been constructed, some with minimum setback from the rear property line. For many years, it was understood that to implement the General Plan and construct Alejo Road to a major thoroughfare standard, it would be necessary to acquire right-of- way from the adjacent homes to widen Alejo Road between Indian Canyon Drive and Via Miraleste. This would have likely required full acquisition of seven properties where right-of-way dedication had not occurred and reduced setbacks exit between the rear property line and the residential structures. During development of the Section 14 Master Development Plan, Specific Plan for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a revised street section for Alejo Road was proposed. The proposal for Alejo Road between Indian Canyon Drive and Calle El Segundo (Via Miraleste) was made to avoid impacting the adjacent single family homes within the Palm Springs Estates, and shifted the roadway south (into Section 14) with a 62 feet wide street section. This proposal was eventually approved by the City as part of the Section 14 Master Development Plan. Page 5-20 of the Section 14 Plan, identifying the guidelines recommended for widening Alejo Road, and Figure 5-12 of the Section 14 Plan, showing the revised street section for Alejo Road Is included as Attachment 1. Subsequently, the Palm Springs General Plan Update approved in October 2007 maintained the revised street section for Alejo Road, consisting of four lanes of traffic within a 62 feet right-of-way, all of which is located south of the existing property line of the homes within the Palm Springs Estates adjacent to and north of Alejo Road. Additional right-of-way to construct this street section would be acquired from the south, on adjacent properties that have been or will be acquired by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Text from the Traffic Analysis of the General Plan Update relating to the classification of Alejo Road (see Page 41), and maintaining the Section 14 Plan special cross-section is included as Attachment 2. The General Plan Update Traffic Analysis forecast 2025 traffic volumes for City streets, and estimated that Alejo Road will carry 11,200 vehicles per day by 2025. The capacity of an undivided four lane roadway is 25,900 vehicles per day, indicating that Alejo Road will operate at Level of Service (LOS) A with excellent, free flow traffic movement. Given the expected low volume of traffic on this segment of Alejo Road, it is possible to 000062 Alejo Road Summary Vacation January 16, 2008 Page 2 consider alternative street sections for Alejo Road as part of future development in that area. For example, the capacity of a divided two lane roadway is 18,000 vehicles per day, indicating that Alejo Road would operate at LOS B, well above the minimum threshold of LOS D required by the General Plan. In considering the requested right-of-way vacation of the subject two parcels on Alejo Road, staff was concerned that sufficient right-of-way remain in case a different street section were required, and a partial right-of-way acquisition along the north side of Alejo Road was necessary. However, given the adoption of the Section 14 Plan, the subsequent General Plan Update maintaining the Alejo Road street section (as shown in Figure 5-12 of the Section 14 Plan), and the fact that forecast 2025 traffic volumes for Alejo Road does not require a four lane roadway, it is evident that the two 50 feet wide parcels dedicated to the City for Alejo Road right-of-way are unnecessary for prospective or future use, and that staff can recommend that the right-of-way parcels be vacated. Chapter 4 "Summary Vacation", of part 3 "Public Streets, Highways, and Service Easement Vacation Law", of Division 9 "Change of Grade and Vacation" of the California Streets and Highways Code (Section 8330 et. seq.), outlines the process to follow for summarily vacating public streets. In accordance with Section 8334 (a) of the Code, the legislative body of a local agency may summarily vacate an excess right-of- way of a street not required for street purposes. The City need only adopt a Resolution citing specific facts that allows for the summary vacation of the excess street right-of- way; a Public Hearing is not required. Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution, which will summarily vacate the excess right-of-way for Alejo Road dedicated to the City at 343 E. Via Colusa and 535 E. Via Colusa, on properties currently owned by Mr. Berardi and Mrs. Morgan. FISCAL IMPACT: None. PAL- David J. Barakian Thomas J. Wil on Director of Public Works/City Engineer Assistant City Manager David H. Ready, Cif a r ATTACHMENTS: 1. Figure 5-12, Section 14 Master Development Plan 2. General Plan Update Traffic Analysis excerpt 3. Vicinity Map 4. Resolution ATTACHMENT PAGE 5-20 ALEJO ROAD LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AND GUIDELINES AND FIGURE 5-12 ALEJO ROAD FROM EAST OF INDIAN CANYON TO CALLE EL SEGUNDO STREETSCAPE/CIRCULATION CONCEPT 000064 Cl7n1)fer Frye' Spece'ecrpe arrd Crrc.iakrrrrnr ,Windur(A mir.1 Gendclfne� 5.2.6 Alejo IGoad Alejo Road, located at the northern edge of Sechon 14, is designated in the General Plan as �i MajorThoroughfart with a 100' right-of-way. Today, however, this struut curries about one-third of the traffic of the other edge arterials and is almost entirely lined with residential uses. Accomplishing the General Plan standard would entail removal of existing liomes and of ri substantial portion of the current landscape character of the surd.. From Calle El Segundo Lo Sunrise Way, the street pavement currently is widened to 60' However, between just east of Indian Canyon Drive and Callc El Se,nindo, the street is much narrower and is lined by bomes on both sides. In order to minimize the impacts on homes on both sides of the street and to keep the landscapcd character established on Lhe Section 14 side of the street east of Avenida Caballeros, the Specific Plan recommends a 62' to 80' right-of-way, as sbown in Figures 5-12 and 5-13, except j00' near Indian Canyon Drive. The landscape characLer and guidelines recommended include the following: • Provide widening on the Section 14 side of the street; Provide a meandering where possible), 6' sidewalk along the south side of Alejo Road with informal planting of shade trees and occasional palms. Landscape the area with drought tolerant plantings on botb sides of the sidewalk; • Avoid constructing future sidewalks directly adjacent to the curb, where possible; On the north side,provide enough area, a minimum of P to 2', for landscaping adjacent to private property walls; • Provide city standards for site distances when widening; If additional widening is to occur beyond the Specific Plan recommendation, avoid further widening into the pedestrian pathway and landscaped areas of Section 14. A neighborhood meeting was held, the street right of way will be determined at time, of development. 5.2.7 Calle lEncilia In the City's General Plan, Calle Encilia is designated as a Secondary Thoroughfare, with bike lanes and a pedestrian character. SECTION 14 SPLUTIC PLAN PAGE 5-20 060005 Bikeway llikvway Shade Tree Curb 71 is ' 777 , E . 6' 6' 4' 6' Requires special 521 closs section 62' Rlgrhi-of-way at tm e of development 51111CL' Cl(Um,Assocwus rJGURf 5-12 SECTION 14 jMASTIR XVLL01WH�T PLAN Indian C"anyADlnl,']uID RCoaand f rEol mSegundo_ f COrlu-pl SECTION J4 SPECIFIC PLA-N PAGE 5-2I ATTACHMENT GENERAL PLAN UPDATE TRAFFIC ANALYSIS ALEJO ROAD NARRATIVE CI©��0 '7 d . Clly of FaIm Spnngs Although gap closures and extensions add to the connectivity of the circulation system, they typically do not add a significant amount of capacity to the system They serve more as operational and localized improvements that increase mobility and accessibility throughout the City. The traffic analysis reveals that the biggest challenge for the Clty's transportation system is the adequate provision of capacity for traffic entering and exiting the City. Palm Canyon Drive, Gene Autry Trail, Vista Chino, Ramon Road and East Palm Canyon Drive provide critical linkages to the remainder of the Coachella Valley and are shown to be strained by future traffic demands. Improvements to these facilities in terms of additional lane capacity or additional intersection capacity will ensure a circulation system that serves the Clty's residents, workers and visitors as the City develops its General Plan. San Rafael Drive is Identified as a Secondary Thoroughfare on the current General Plan Circulation Element, extending from North Palm Canyon Drive to Sunrise Way; and serves as an important east-west link for the area between those two Major Thoroughfares. Over time, as development has occurred in the area, San Rafael Drive has been constructed to the full Secondary Thoroughfare cross-section standard Currently, the only segment of San Rafael Drive not fully constructed to the full Secondary Thoroughfare cross-section standard is the segment between Virginia Road and Indian Canyon Drive (however it should be noted that recent development within that segment has constructed portions of the full cross- section standard). It is recommended that San Rafael Drive remain identified as a Secondary Thoroughfare on the current General Plan Circulation Element, extending from North Palm Canyon Drive to Sunrise Way, to maintain the City's existing grid-like circulation system of roadways. Although future forecast traffic volumes for that area indicate excess capacity may exist on this 4 lane undivided roadway, it is recommended that it remain classified as a 4 lane undivided roadway to make use of the currently existing roadway improvements along the entire length of San Rafael Drive, and to ensure consistency of the desi nation between North Palm Canyon Driv and Sunrise Way. Alejo Road is identified as a Major Thoroughfare on the current Genera Plan Circulation Element, ` extending from North Palm Canyon Drive to Sunrise Way, and as a Secondary Thoroughfare extending from Sunrise Way to the Palm Springs Airport. However, the segment of Alejo Road between Indian Canyon Drive and Sunrise Way was reclassified to a "Special Thoroughfare" on the General Plan Circulation Element through adoption of the Section 14 Master Development Plan Specific Plan (November 2006). Figure 5-12 of the Section 14 Master Plan identifies a special crass-section for Alejo Road between Indian Canyon Drive and Calle El Segundo, consisting of a 62 feet wide right-of-way with a 52 feet wide roadway section consisting of 4 lanes (undivided). This special cross-section locates the 4 lane undivided roadway without the need to acquire right-of-way along the north side of Alejo Road, where it would impact existing residential properties. It should be noted that Calle El Segundo is slightly offset from Via Miraleste, and therefore, the intent of this special cross-section is to identify a 4 lane undivided roadway within this restricted right-of-way segment. Figure 5-13 of the Section 14 Master Plan identifies a cross-section standard for Alejo Road between Calle El Segundo (Via Miraleste) and Sunrise Way, consisting of an 80 feet wide right-of-way with a 60 feet wide roadway section consisting of 4 lanes (undivided). It is recommended that the Section 14 Master Plan "Special Thoroughfare' designation be maintains on the General Plan Circulation El e nt. Another traffic issue that as been raised by the City is the potential for Indian Canyon Drive to be redesigned to allow for on-street diagonal parking in the downtown area. This would alter the current feel for the Indian Canyon Drive corridor to a more quaint downtown appeal. Implementation of diagonal parking on both sides of Indian Canyon, however, would likely shift Indian Canyon Drive to a one-way two-lane facility. Retaining the parallel parking on one side of Indian Canyon Drive would allow for three northbound lanes. The forecast traffic volumes on Indian Canyon Drive through the downtown area are greater than the capacity of a two-lane facility. Other options for Indian Canyon Drive previously identified include shifting to two-way traffic. A shift to two-way traffic would potentially lead to capacity deficiencies on Indian Canyon Drive for northbound traffic and operational issues such as left turns impeding through traffic. In addition, two-way traffic on Indian Canyon Drive would not be consistent with Palm Canyon Drive which serves the southbound traffic. The provision of three lanes northbound on Indian Canyon C�5 Drive with diagonal parking on either side would maintain a consistent level of capacity for northbound 1 / traffic that Palm Canyon Drive provides to southbound traffic. General Plan Update Traffic Analysis y"p d441 VVOtJ 4YU ATTACHMENT VICINITY MAP 00000� Pabe 1 of 1 x � A s, E n a d a 0 �r' y = S FHV S w � � o "�E-ValmaSvtallor7t++ r, } E 6�anv6a"•YaEmon3e— C. 1 � -_EYnSmwehe sup ( o l a+ Z ss e-V-NwCorersa� 93 — E aaeao-aa _ f� -7 � Q s O 0 I� n r z �rn o7 F 3 a � o 3 or ,f"> ;hall z n GYI Y � n 0. m ��lT7 �:.'AlklL1M'Nxlitr'JYd K�Ar{15,Tdd4s,��0�gulM��lbl�1C to.A`*spt� VICINITY MAP e 4oafr a ALEJO ROAD VACATION N CityGTS Cdt1Fp R��¢ Copyright O 2006 All Rights Reserved The information contained herein is the proprietary property of the contributor supplied under license and may not be approved except as licensed by Digital Map Products 0 ` 0 � http-.//maps.digitalmapcentral.Qoii/production/CityGIS/v07_01_0J 6/indexA..html 1/4/2008 ATTACHMENT RESOLUTION RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, SUMMARILY VACATING AND ABANDONING ALL ITS RIGHT, TITLE AND INTERESTS TO A PORTION OF ALEJO ROAD, IN SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 4 EAST; FILE R-07-51 WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, is authorized by Chapter 4, Part 3, Division 9 of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California (the "statute"), to vacate and close to public use streets dedicated for public use, or parts thereof, within the limits of the City; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8334 (a) of the statute, the legislative body of a local agency may summarily vacate excess right-of-way of a street or highway not required for street or highway purposes; and WHEREAS, a dedication of right-of-way for Alejo Road over the southerly 50.00 feet of Lot 11 in Block J of that map identified as the "Palm Springs Estates", as per map on file in Book 15, Page 43 of maps, records of Riverside County, California, was made to the City of Palm Springs by Grant Deed recorded May 30, 1989, as Document No. 174360, and WHEREAS, a dedication of right-of-way for Alejo Road over the southerly 50.00 feet of Lot 4 in Block J of that map identified as the "Palm Springs Estates", as per map on file in Book 15, Page 43 of maps, records of Riverside County, California, was made to the City of Palm Springs by Grant Deed recorded December 6, 1999, as Document No. 530295; and WHEREAS, the portions of Alejo Road right-of-way located on Lot 4 and Lot 11 in Block J of that map identified as the "Palm Springs Estates", as per map on file in Book 15, Page 43 of maps, records of Riverside County, California, represent excess public right- of-way not required for street or highway purposes. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council does hereby adopt this Resolution in accordance with Chapter 4 "Summary Vacation", of Part 3 "Public Streets, Highways, and Service Easements Vacation Law", of Division 9 "Change of Grade and Vacation" of the California Streets and Highways Code (Section 8330 et. seq.). Section 2. The City Council does hereby summarily vacate excess right-of-way dedicated for Alejo Road, being generally described as the southerly 50.00 feet of Lot 4 in Block J of that map identified as the "Palm Springs Estates", as per map on file in ®00 ?4 Resolution No. Page 2 Book 15, Page 43 of maps, records of Riverside County, California, and more particularly described on Exhibit "A-1" and shown on Exhibit "B-1 attached hereto and made a part hereof. Section 3. The City Council does hereby summarily vacate excess right-of-way dedicated for Alejo Road, being generally described as the southerly 50.00 feet of Lot 11 in Block J of that map identified as the "Palm Springs Estates", as per map on file in Book 15, Page 43 of maps, records of Riverside County, California, and more particularly described on Exhibit "A-2" and shown on Exhibit "B-2", attached hereto and made a part hereof. Section 4. This Resolution to summarily vacate excess right-of-way dedicated for Alejo Road, being generally described as the southerly 50.00 feet of Lot 4 and Lot 11, in Block J of that map identified as the "Palm Springs Estates", as per map on file in Book 15, Page 43 of maps, records of Riverside County, California, is made in accordance with Section 8334 (a) of the California Streets and Highways Code. Section 5. Following the recordation of this Resolution, the excess right-of-way dedicated for Alejo Road, being generally described as the southerly 50.00 feet of Lot 4 and Lot 11, in Block J of that map identified as the "Palm Springs Estates", as per map on file in Book 15, Page 43 of maps, records of Riverside County, California, and more particularly described on Exhibits "A-1" and "A-2", and shown on Exhibits "BA" and "B- 2", attached hereto and made a part hereof, no longer constitutes a portion of the public street known as Alejo Road. Section 6. The City Clerk is hereby directed to cause a certified copy of this Resolution, attested by him under the seal of the City, to be recorded in the Office of the County Recorder of Riverside County. ADOPTED this 16th day of January, 2008. David H. Ready, City Manager ATTEST: James Thompson, City Clerk dt� t�On Resolution No, Page 3 CERTIFICATION STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF PALM SPRINGS ) I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that Resolution No. _ is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on January 16, 2008, by the following vote: AYES: NOES.- ABSENT: ABSTAIN- 0 James Thompson, City Clerk City of Palm Springs, California EXHIBIT "A-1" A portion of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 11, Township 4 South, Range 4 East, more particularly described as follows- The south 50 feet of Lot 4, Block "J", of Palm Springs Estates, Map Book 15, Page 43, official records of Riverside County Recorder, Riverside, California. Said parcel is also described in Instrument No. 530295, recorded December 6, 1999, official records of Riverside County Recorder. Said parcel contains 5500 square feet (0.13 Acres). \�NpL LAND �SLFL 4 O Frn ��9TFOF CAL�F���\� EXHIBIT "B--1 " /, 2---0S 1'1�44/sZ g C'p �G s� 4 4 O q h � r/89' s9" Dd" A /D -'F0.4 fJ LOT 4, PALM SPRING ESTATES, MB 15, PG 43, R.C.R. DESIGN DY: SCALE: RLE NO.: VACATION EXHIBIT FOR FUP NTS R 07-051A ALEJO ROAD CHECKED BY: DATE SHEET NO.: 1/07/08 �(y' 11�y{O44 F 1 EXHIBIT "A-2" A portion of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 11, Township 4 South, Range 4 East, more particularly described as follows: The south 50 feet of Lot 11, Block "J", of Palm Springs Estates, Map Book 15, Page 43, official records of Riverside County Recorder, Riverside, California. Said parcel is also described in Instrument No. 174360, recorded May 30, 1989, official records of Riverside County Recorder. Said parcel contains 5500 square feet (0.13 Acres). \�r1AL LA o� uSLF s� a 4 ?W OF CALIFOQ�`� 0000-117 EXHIBIT 1113-2" 111A _ APRALESTE n0`� N M � _KIA C_ORTA 1E3 p 1R W i5�� 4I 1i-<A1--- 3. a LOT 11, PALM SPRING ESTATES, MB 15, PG 43, R.C_R. DESIGN BY: SCALE: FILE NO.: VACATION EXHIBIT FOR FUP NTS R 07-0518 ALEJO ROAD CHECKED BY: DATE SHEET NO.: 1/07/08 1 OF 1 061091�