Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Emergency Vehicle Access Easement to TH Grand Street, LLC, Across City-Owned Property and Any and All Ancillary Documents and Direct the Recording of the Grant of Easement for Construction of an Emergency Vehicle Access Connection at 2015 Grand Street (former Pennzoil Property). (Public Works)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TH Grand Street, LLC, seeks a grant of easement from the City of Alameda (City) for the completion of an emergency vehicle access to the 2015 Grand Street development. The approximately 49-square-foot area is needed to complete an emergency vehicle access drive that was required as part of the Development Plan review of the project and provides appropriate circulation for emergency vehicles within the development.
Staff requests that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute any and all ancillary documents and direct the recording of the grant of easement of approximately 49 square feet of City-owned property.
BACKGROUND
On December 12, 2022, the Planning Board held a public hearing and approved the Design Review, Development Plan, and recommended approval of the Vesting Tentative Map for the 2015 Grand Street development project, which includes an Emergency Vehicle Access with a gate at the western side of the project.
On February 7, 2023, City Council adopted Resolution No. 16028 approving the Vesting Tentative Map Tract No. 8654 consistent with the Development Plan.
DISCUSSION
The 2015 Grand Street project site is immediately adjacent to the City owned Alameda Animal Shelter property (APN 72-381-18). The 49-square-foot easement area is located at the southeast corner of the animal shelter property. The area currently contains landscaping and fencing. The structure of the animal shelter facility is outside the requested easement area.
TH Grand Street, LLC, will be providing a number of public benefits with the construction of the 2015 Grand Street development project. The public benefits include:
• Clement Avenue Improvements:
o Completion of the final segment of the Clement Avenue extension, connecting Grand Street and Hibbard Street. This segment will close a gap in the designated Truck Route. This segment of Clement Avenue will be built by the developer and dedicated to the City as a public street.
o Construction of a protected bike lane on the north side of Clement Avenue from Grand Street to Ohlone Street. This provides a connection to existing bike lanes on the Cross Alameda Trail.
• Grand Street Improvements between Fortmann Way and Ellen Craig Avenue:
o Public sidewalk
o Public bike lane
o Public street parking
o Landscaping
o Stop signs at the intersection of Grand Street and Clement Avenue
• Hibbard Street Improvements between Ellen Craig Avenue and Clement Avenue:
o Widening Hibbard Street to accommodate two 13-foot travel lanes and street parking on the east side of the street. To accomplish this, TH Grand Street, LLC, will dedicate a 25-foot wide strip of property along the Hibbard Street frontage to the City as a public street, increasing the width of the right-of-way from 31 feet to 56 feet.
o Public sidewalk along the west side of the street
o Public stormwater treatment facilities and landscaping
o Stop signs at the intersection of Hibbard Street and Clement Avenue
• On Site Improvements
o Public north/south bicycle/pedestrian path along Hibbard Street that continues through the project site to Fortmann Way.
TH Grand Street, LLC, is requesting an emergency vehicle access easement over approximately 49 square feet of City-owned land to construct and maintain an emergency vehicle connection on Clement Avenue.
ALTERNATIVES
• Adopt the resolution to execute the Emergency Vehicle Access easement to TH Grand Street, LLC.
• Do not adopt the resolution to execute the easement. The impact of this alternative will mean that emergency vehicle access within the 2015 Grand Street project will be reduced.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the City from granting this easement. TH Grand Street, LLC, is responsible for construction and maintenance of the emergency vehicle access.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the approved Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this action is categorically exempt from further CEQA review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15183 (Projects Consistent with a Community Plan or Zoning) because the 2015 Grand Street Development project and associated emergency access easement are consistent with the General Plan for which the General Plan EIR was certified (Alameda General Plan 2040 EIR, State Clearinghouse #2021030563), and will not have any impacts that cannot be substantially mitigated by the imposition of uniformly applied development policies or standards.
This project is further categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (Infill Development) on the following grounds:
1. The project is consistent with the applicable general plan designation and all applicable General Plan policies as well as with applicable zoning designation and regulations. The proposed development of this site for 90 townhome units and 5 accessory dwelling units is consistent with the R-4-PD-MF, Neighborhood Residential with Planned Development and Multi-Family Combining Zoning District and the Medium-Density Residential land use designation. Overall, the project is consistent with the applicable General Plan policies and zoning regulations.
2. The proposed development occurs within City limits on a project site of no more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses. The property is less than five acres (the project site is approximately 4.14 acres), is located entirely within city limits, and is surrounded by urban residential, commercial or institutional uses.
3. The project has no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species. The project site was developed as a petroleum packaging and distribution facility for several decades and was only recent cleared of buildings and improvements. As a result, the project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened species.
4. Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. The project is conditioned to implement a Transportation Demand Management program to reduce the automobile trips generated by the project to reduce any significant effects relating to traffic. The project would not have any significant effects to traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality.
5. The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. The property is located within a developed urban area that is served by all required utilities and services.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute an Emergency Vehicle Access easement to TH Grand Street, LLC, across City-owned property, execute any and all ancillary documents and direct the recording of the grant of easement for construction of an emergency vehicle access drive.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer
Brendin Christolear, Senior Engineer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Final Map
2. Grant of Easement