Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Grant of Easement to Ginja Central Alameda LLC Across City-Owned Property; and to Execute Any and All Ancillary Documents and Direct the Recording of the Grant of Easement at 2310 Central Avenue.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land). (Public Works 31041520)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Ginja Central Alameda LLC seeks a grant of easement from the City of Alameda (City) for pedestrian access and egress purposes at 2310 Central Avenue. Staff requests that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the grant of easement, and all ancillary documents and direct the recording of the grant of easement across the City-owned property.
BACKGROUND
The existing building at 2318 Central Avenue (APN 71-204-5) was constructed in 1918, well before fire egress and accessibility requirements of the current California Building Code were established. The building has two doors located along the western face of the building that exit onto a City-owned parking lot located at 2310 Central Avenue (APN 71-204-13-3). The property has no legal right of access to the City-owned parking lot nor is an accessible path provided to the sidewalk as required by the California Building Code.
A building permit application for a change in the proposed internal layout and occupancy of the building at 2318 Central Avenue has triggered a review for access and egress to the new internal office suite. Based on the proposed building occupancy, the California Building Code maximum egress travel distance would be exceeded and would not meet building egress requirements without a secondary egress through the City-owned parking lot. Accordingly, the property owner, Ginja Central Alameda LLC, is requesting a grant of easement for access and egress along the City parking lot to meet building code requirements for the proposed office space. The property owner would then improve the City parking lot to construct an accessible path to the sidewalk.
DISCUSSION
The City parking lot is currently configured with eight (8) angled parking spaces located along the side of the subject building. Of the eight (8) parking spaces, one (1) is reserved for official vehicles, two (2) are designated as accessible parking and remaining five (5) are standard meter spaces. In order to provide an accessible path from the building to the public right-of-way, the existing parking spaces will be reconfigured to five (5) parallel spaces, including two (2) accessible parking spaces and three (3) standard meter spaces. The parking lot is owned in fee by the City. Existing and proposed improvements on the City-owned property is shown on Exhibit 1.
Ginja Central Alameda LLC is requesting that the City dedicate a non-exclusive access easement from the building’s southernmost egress to the public right-of-way on City-owned property located at 2310 Central Avenue (APN 71-204-13-3). The easement is approximately 547 square feet. The legal description and plat map for the access easement is attached to the Grant of Easement (Exhibit 2). The Downtown Alameda Business Association (DABA) supports this solution.
ALTERNATIVES
• Adopt the resolution to execute and record the grant of easement to Ginja Central Alameda, LLC (as recommended by City Staff).
• Do not adopt the resolution to execute and record the grant of easement to Ginja Central Alameda LLC. This alternative will mean that Ginja Central Alameda LLC would not be able to obtain a building permit for the proposed office space.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City will receive $10,000 in compensation for granting the easement to Ginja Central Alameda LLC. This amount was determined by a licensed appraiser. The easement fee will be deposited to an easement revenue account in the General Fund (Fund 100). Ginja Central Alameda LLC is responsible for all cost of improvements associated with the access easement.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code and supports local business per the City of Alameda Strategic Priorities. This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Grant of Easement to Ginja Central Alameda LLC across City-owned property; and to execute any and all ancillary documents and direct the recording of the Grant of Easement at 2310 Central Avenue.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Kan Xu, Senior Engineer
Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Existing and Proposed Improvements on City Property
2. Grant of Easement