Agenda Item Wording:
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Declare surplus City property and authorize disposition process - Request for Council to adopt Resolution No. 2026-41, declaring certain real property located on APN 077-100-103 (Akers and Riggin) as surplus property and authorize the property to be made available for purchase proposals and/or development proposals from qualified entities in accordance with California Government Code Section 54220. (Resolution 2026-41 required)
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Agenda Date: 07/20/2026
Prepared by: Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager, devon.jones@visalia.gov, 559.713.4190, Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, paul.bernal@visalia.gov, 559.713.4025
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-41, declaring certain real property located at Akers and Riggin on APN 077-100-103 as surplus property and authorize the property to be made available for purchase proposals and/or development proposals from qualified entities in accordance with California Government Code Section 54220.
Summary: APN 077-100-103 consists of vacant, undeveloped real property located at the northwest corner of Akers Street and Riggin Avenue (see attached Exhibit 1). The property consists of approximately 20.8 acres that is in process of being rezoned to Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) zoning and does not have a current appraised value.
Staff is requesting Council direction to adopt Resolution No. 2026-41, formally declaring this property as surplus in accordance with the Surplus Land Act, so the City may begin the required notification and solicitation process for qualified entities and agencies.
Background Discussion: Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54222, prior to disposing of surplus land, the City must provide written notice of availability to qualified entities, including affordable housing developers, public agencies, and other eligible organizations identified under the Surplus Land Act.
Any qualified entity or association desiring to purchase or lease the property for one of the purposes authorized under Government Code Section 54220 must notify the City in writing of its interest within sixty (60) days from the date of notice. Responses must be submitted either by certified United States mail or electronic mail. Notice of interest shall be delivered to Devon Jones, Economic Development Manager at 315 E. Acequia, Visalia, CA 93291 or devon.jones@visalia.gov <mailto:devon.jones@visalia.gov>.
As required by Government Code Section 54227, if the City of Visalia receives more than one letter of interest during this 60 day period, it will give first priority to entities proposing to develop housing where at least 25 percent of the units will be affordable to lower income households. If more than one such proposal is received, priority will be given to the proposal with the greatest number of affordable units. If more than one proposal specifies the same number of affordable units, priority will be given to the proposal that has the lowest average affordability level. If a proposal is accepted for further consideration, the City will enter into a ninety (90) day good-faith negotiation period with the responding entity to determine the feasibility and terms of a potential sale, lease, or development agreement. The Council may consider a number of matters during the negotiations.
Approval of this action and issuance of the required notice under the Government Code does not constitute a determination by the City that the property is suitable for any specific use identified under Section 54220. Any future land use considerations would be evaluated separately if interest is expressed by an eligible entity.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: None currently
Prior Council Action: none
Alternatives: To not proceed with declaring the property as Surplus.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to adopt Resolution No. 2026-41, declaring certain real property located on APN 077-100-103 as surplus property and authorize the property to be made available for purchase proposals and/or development proposals from qualified agencies in accordance with California Government Code Section 54220.
Environmental Assessment Status: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) (CEQA) City staff has determined that the designation of the Property as non-exempt surplus, approval of the form of Notice of Availability, and authorization for the City Manager to comply with the Act will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and as such is exempt from further review under CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3).
CEQA Review: Exempt from further review under CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3).
Deadline for Action: 07/20/2026
Attachments: Resolution No. 2026-41, Exhibit 1
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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☒ Economic Vitality |
☐  Organizational Excellence |
☒ Fiscal Strength |
☐  Infrastructure & Growth |
☐  Quality of Life |