Agenda Item Wording:
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Intent to Abandon Public Street Right-of-Way - Adopt Resolution No. 2025-16 initiating proceedings to vacate a portion of public alleyway and right-of-way on Meadow Avenue and Shady Street, located west of Mooney Boulevard and north of Tulare Avenue. (Resolution required)
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Deadline for Action: 3/17/2025
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Adrian Rubalcaba, Sr. Project Manager, (559)713-4507, adrian.rubalcaba@visalia.city <mailto:adrian.rubalcaba@visalia.city>
Jason Huckleberry, Engineering & Building Dept. Director, (559)713-4495, jason.huckleberry@visalia.city <mailto:jason.huckleberry@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends adopting Resolution No. 2025-16 initiating proceedings to vacate a portion of public alleyway and right-of-way on Meadow Avenue and Shady Street.
Background Discussion:
The abandonment of the streets and alleyway is being requested by the College of Sequoias (COS) to facilitate the planned expansion of their campus. The Visalia Campus University Center master plan was submitted through the City’s Site Plan Review process as SPR No. 2024-17, proposing the demolition of existing buildings and construction of new facilities, further expanding the existing campus to the south. The expansion will encompass the majority of the northwest corner of Tulare Avenue and Mooney Boulevard (the site plan, Exhibit “A”, is attached for reference).
The COS expansion will include redesigning the college campus entry and connections to Meadow and Tulare Avenue. On-site features will include new driveway enhancements with roundabouts to improve vehicle circulation and public safety. The expansion requires the abandonment of Shady Street, a portion of Meadow Avenue, and a portion of the connecting alleyway, further delineated in Exhibit “B”, attached hereto. Onsite permitting and construction will be processed through state agency authorities, as COS, a state entity, can exempt themselves from City land use processes. The abandonment of any public streets, alleyways, or easements, and encroachment permitting will be processed locally.
Council approval of the resolution to initiate proceedings to vacate the public streets and alleyway sets forth the required public notifications, postings, and sets the public hearing pursuant to the Streets and Highways Code, “Public Streets, Highways, and Service Easements Vacation Law.” The public hearing date cannot be set less than 15 days after the initiation of proceedings; the public hearing date will be scheduled for the April 7, 2025 Council meeting.
Any public utilities affected will be notified of the proposed public streets and alleyway abandonment. Existing easements may remain or utility infrastructure rerouted and easements re-established as part of the vacate process; to be further determined by their respective utility companies and City of Visalia.
Fiscal Impact:
No additional impacts anticipated. The ongoing street and alleyway maintenance for the areas vacated to be omitted.
Prior Council Action: None.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Council may elect to deny request to vacate the public alleyway and street right-of-way for Meadow Avenue and Shady Street.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to adopt Resolution No. 2025-16, initiating proceedings to vacate a portion of the public alleyway and right-of-way on Meadow Avenue and Shady Street, located west of Mooney Boulevard and north of Tulare Avenue.
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Environmental Assessment Status: EIR for Phase 1 of Visalia University Center is underway.
CEQA Review: To be determined.
Attachments:
1. Location Map
2. Exhibit A - Site Plan
3. Exhibit B
4. Resolution