Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: 4/5 Vote
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: John Maltbie, County Manager
Subject: Exchange, conveyance, and acceptance of real property interests at the County Center
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The President of the Board to execute a deed granting a new storm drain and water line easement to the City of Redwood City over County-owned property designated as Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 052-337-020 and 052-341-240, located at the County Center, in exchange for the City of Redwood City’s vacation and abandonment of unused public utility easements; and
B) The President of the Board to execute deeds to complete the exchange with the City of Redwood City of real property interests pursuant to the Winslow Street Realignment Agreement, dated February 8, 2005; and
C) The County Manager, or his designee, to accept and execute on behalf of the County all additional documents necessary to effect said exchanges and transfers.
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BACKGROUND:
Since the early 1960s, a number of real property transactions involving, among others, the County, City of Redwood City (“City”), and PG&E have impacted the property that now comprises the County Center in downtown Redwood City. As a result of changes over time to the configuration and uses of real property in and around County Center, some existing easements are now outdated, unnecessary, and/or superseded by relocation. The Real Property Division, in coordination with the County’s Project Development Unit, has been working with the City to identify and remove encumbrances that interfere with development at the County Center.
DISCUSSION:
The need for the transactions described in this memorandum results from: (1) the City’s reservation of public utility easements in connection with its abandonment of certain street segments; (2) the Winslow Street realignment project; and (3) the relocation of certain utilities.
City-Reserved Easements
In the 1960s, the City vacated and abandoned portions of four streets that ran through what is now County Center, reserving, however, certain public utility easements. Those streets-portions of Bradford, East Fuller, Fuller, and Hamilton Streets--are shown shaded in yellow in Exhibit A to this memorandum. Some of these reserved public utility easements within those streets have not been used or they have been superseded by relocation.
Given the foregoing, the City has agreed to vacate and abandon the easements referenced as numbers 3, 4, 5, and 13 and shown in light blue in Exhibit A. In exchange, the County will convey to the City an updated alignment for a non-exclusive storm drain and water line easement (“SD/WL Easement”) referenced as number 10 and shown in red in Exhibit A, and further detailed in Exhibit B to this memorandum. The SD/WL Easement will range from 6 to 20 feet in width and track the location of active utilities (including three fire hydrants) that cross the County Center.
Winslow Street Realignment
With respect to the Winslow Street Realignment, in 1995 the County assisted in the realignment of Winslow Street, temporarily converting it to a County highway. The realignment resulted in portions of the street being located on land owned by the County but not used for any other County purpose. Similarly, some portions of City land previously used as a right of way for the street (and now forming part of County Center) were rendered unnecessary for that purpose.
Pursuant to an Agreement dated February 8, 2005 (“Winslow Realignment Agreement”), the City and County agreed to exchange property interests to reflect the realignment. To complete the transaction, the County must execute Quitclaim Deeds conveying property interests identified as Parcel D and F (a fee interest and easement interest respectively) in Exhibit C, attached to this memorandum, which staff has identified are not needed for any County purpose. In exchange, the City will vacate and convey the property interests identified as Parcels A and B in Exhibit C which are required for County purposes.
Approval of this action will contribute to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Collaborative Community by allowing the County to free up property that is otherwise encumbered by unnecessary easements. Redwood City will benefit by having a SD/WL Easement that serves property adjacent to the County Center.
The Real Property and Project Development Unit staff recommends approval of the transactions, and County Counsel has reviewed and approved the associated resolution and deeds as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to the County General Fund as a result of this exchange. Real Property staff time has been paid for by General Fund reserves.
Attachments:
Exhibit A -- Area Plan - Government Center
Exhibit B -- Water and Storm Water Easement Legal and Plat
Exhibit C -- Winslow Realignment Exchange Detail