BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MEMBERS CYNTHIA M. RUIZ PRESIDENT VALERIE LYNNE SHAW COMMISSIONER YOLANDA FUENTES COMMISSIONER DAVID SICKLER COMMISSIONER - c.tv OF LOS ANGELt:S CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS BUREAU OF ENGINEERING GARY LEE MOORE P.E. CITY ENGINEER 650 SOUTH SPRING ST., SUITE 200 LOS ANGELES, CA 90014-1911 213-847-8766 http://eng.lacity.org PAULA A. DANIELS COMMISSIONER JAMES A. GIBSON EXECUTIVE OFFICER Department ofpublic Works Bureau of Engineering Land Development Group 201 North Figueroa Street, Suite. 200 Los Angeles, CA 90012 ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA MAYOR SEP 2 8 2006 Council File No. 02-1981 Council District: 13 Contact Person: Jon Taam Phone: (213) 977-6984 Honorable Bill Rosendahl, Chair Public Works Committee Transmittal: Transmitted herewith, is the City Engineer's report dated September 28, 2006 for Council review and approval of: VACATION APPROVAL- VAC-E1400811 -Council File No. 02-1981 -Ridgewood Place Easterly of Van Ness Avenue from Fountain Avenue to its Northerly Terminus. (RE-APPLICATION) RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Adopt the findings by the City Engineer on the attached City Engineer report relative to initiating vacation proceedings. 2. That the Council find that the vacation is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, pursuant to Article III, Class 5(3) ofthe City's Environmental Guidelines. 3. Adopt the City Engineer report dated September 28, 2006 with the conditions contained therein. 4. Fiscal Impact Statement: To date, an estimated $11,226.45 in charges have been expended in the investigation and processing of this proceeding. Approximately $6,000 will be required from the General Fund to complete these proceedings. Since the Section 7.46 of the Administrative Code exempts all governmental agencies from payment of fees, the processing of this report will be absorbed by the Bureau of Engineering. 5. That there is a public benefit to this vacation. Upon vacation of the easement, the City is relieved of its ongoing obligation to maintain the street. In addition, the City is relieved of any potential liability that AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER... Recyclable and made from recycled waste. ~.,.
-2- might result from continued ownership of the involved easements. Attachment: EY/JM/jt D:\JTaam\Street Vacation\Reports\El400811 (Transmittal).doc E mond Yew, Manager!!.and Development Group Bureau of Engineering AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY- AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.. Recyclable and made from recycled waste. ~4'
Office of the City Engineer Los Angeles, California To the Public Works Committee Of the Honorable Council Of the City of Los Angeles Honorable Members: SEP 2 8 2006 C. D. No. 13 SUBJECT: VACATION APPROVAL- VAC- E1400811- Council File No. 02-1981- Ridgewood Place Easterly of Van Ness Avenue from Fountain Avenue to its Northerly Terminus. (RE-APPLICATION) RECOMMENDATIONS: A. That summary street vacation proceedings pursuant to the Public Streets, Highways and Service Easements Vacation Law be instituted for the vacation of the public right-of-way indicated below and shown colored blue on the attached Exhibit "B": Ridgewood Place Easterly of Van Ness Avenue from Fountain Avenue to its Northerly Terminus. B. That the vacation of the area shown colored orange on Exhibit "B", be denied. C. That the Council find that the vacation is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, pursuant to Article III, Class 5(3) of the City's Environmental Guidelines. D. That there is a public benefit to this street vacation. Upon vacation of the street, the City is relieved of its ongoing obligation to maintain the street. In addition, the City is relieved of any potential liability that might result from continued ownership of the involved street easements. E. That, in conformance with Section 556 of the City Charter, the Council make the findings that the vacation is in substantial conformance with the purposes, intent and provisions of the General Plan.
Public Works Committee - 2- C. D. No. 13 F. That, in conformance with Section 892 of the California Streets and Highways Code, the Council determines that the vacation area is not necessary for nonmotorized transportation facilities. G. That, in conformance with Section 8324 of the California Streets and Highways Code, the Council determines that the vacation area is not necessary for present or prospective public use. H. That the Council adopt the City Engineer's report with the conditions contained therein. I. That the payment of the processing fees for the vacation proceedings be waived in accordance with Section 7.46 of the Administrative Code which exempts all governmental agencies. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT: To date, an estimated $11,226.45 in charges have been expended in the investigation and processing of this proceeding. Approximately $6000 will be required from the General Fund to complete these proceedings. Since the Section 7.46 of the Administrative Code exempts all governmental agencies from payment of fees, the processing of this report will be absorbed by the Bureau of Engineering. Maintenance of the public easement by City Forces will be eliminated. NOTIFICATION: That notification of the time and place of the Public Works Committee meeting to consider this request be sent to: Los Angeles Unified School District Attn: Charlene Franck 1055 W. ih Street, ih Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017 CONDITIONS: The Conditions specified in this report are established as the requirements to be complied with by the petitioner for this vacation. Vacation proceedings in which the conditions have not been completed within 180 days of the Council's action on the City Engineer's
Public Works Committee - 3- C. D. No. 13 report and without proper time extension, shall be terminated, with no further Council action. 1. That a suitable map, approved by the Central District Engineering office, delineating the limits including bearings and distances of the area to be vacated be submitted to the Land Development Group prior to the preparation of the Resolution to Vacate. 2. That a suitable legal description describing the area(s) being vacated and all easements to be reserved, including copies of all necessary supporting documentation, be submitted to the Land Development Group of the Bureau of Engineering prior to preparation of the Resolution to Vacate. 3. That the petitioner dedicate the following in a manner satisfactory to the City Engineer etc. (a) Dedicate 2 feet as public street along the southerly side of Sunset Boulevard to complete a 52-foot wide half street dedication to Major Highway Class II Standards, together with a 15-foot by 15-foot property line comer cut or 20- foot radius property return at both Van Ness Avenue and at its intersection with the Route 101 (Hollywood Freeway) on-ramp. (b) Dedicate 2 feet as public street along the northerly 100 feet of the easterly side of Van Ness Avenue to provide for a turning lane together with a 25-foot radius reverse curve transition. (At LAUSD option, dedicate 8 feet or 10 feet along the easterly side of Van Ness Avenue as public street to provide for a drop off lane at a location satisfactory to the City Engineer). (c) Dedicate 5 feet as public street along the northerly side of Fountain Avenue to provide a 35-foot wide half street dedication together with a 20-foot radius, property return at both Van Ness Avenue and Wilton Place. 4. That the following improvements be constructed adjoining the petitioner's property (properties) in a manner satisfactory to the City Engineer: (a) Repair and/or replace any broken or offgrade concrete curb, gutter, sidewalk, and driveway along Sunset Boulevard. (b) Construct a 33-foot wide half roadway along the westerly side of Wilton Place to join existing improvements to the north with concrete curb, gutter, access ramps and 10-foot wide concrete sidewalk.
Public Works Committee -4- C. D. No. 13 (c) Construct a 2-foot widening along Van Ness Avenue over the northerly 100 feet from the southerly BCR of Sunset Boulevard for a right tum lane with a 25-foot reverse curve transition. (At LAUSD option, an 8 or 10-foot widening be allowed for a drop off lane with the condition that a 10-foot wide sidewalk be provided). (d) Construct, curb, gutter and suitable surfacing to provide a 25-foot wide half roadway along the northerly side of Fountain Avenue between Van Ness A venue and Wilton Place together with a 10-foot wide concrete sidewalk. (e) Close Ridgewood Place with standard street improvements including concrete, curb, gutter, sidewalk, and or driveway. 5. That arrangements be made with the Department of Water and Power and Southern California Gas Company and for the removal of affected facilities or the providing of easements or rights for the protection of affected facilities to remain in place. 6. That satisfactory arrangements be made with the City Engineer for the relocation or abandonment of the existing sanitary sewer facilities located within the area to be vacated, unless easements are reserved from the vacation for its protection. 7. That plot plans be submitted to the Fire Department for their review and approval. 8. That street lighting facilities be installed as required by the Bureau of Street Lighting. 9. That street trees be planted and tree wells be installed as required by the Street Tree Division of the Bureau of Street Services. TRANSMITTAL: Application dated June 9, 2006 from Mike Scinto, Board Director of the Los Angeles Unified School District. DISCUSSION: Request: The petitioner, the Los Angeles Unified School District, owner of the properties shown outlined in yellow on Exhibit "B", is requesting the vacation of the public street area shown colored blue and orange. The purpose of the vacation request is
Public Works Committee - 5 - C. D. No. 13 to consolidate the vacation area with the adjoining properties for the construction of Central Los Angeles High School No. 1. This vacation procedure is being processed under procedures established by Council File No. 01-1459 adopted by the Los Angeles City Council on March 5, 2002. Resolution to Vacate: The Resolution to Vacate will be recorded upon compliance with the conditions established for this vacation. Previous Council Action: The City Council on July 21, 2006, under Council File No. 02-1981 adopted a Rule 16 Motion initiating Street Vacation Proceedings. The City Council on January 14, 2004 conditionally adopted the City Engineer's report dated July 23,2003, under Council File No. 02-1981. The vacation conditions were not complied with prior to the expiration of the vacation approval. Zoning and Land Use: The properties adjoining the proposed vacation area are zoned R3-1 and are presently vacated lots. Description of Area to be Vacated: The area sought to be vacated is Ridgewood Place, a 60-foot wide improved local street lying easterly ofvan Ness Avenue from Fountain A venue to its northerly terminus. Adjoining Street and Alley: Sunset Boulevard is a fully improved major highway dedicated 100 feet wide and with a 75-foot wide roadway. Van Ness Avenue is a fully improved collector street dedicated 60 feet wide and with a 40-foot wide roadway. Wilton Place is a fully improved secondary highway dedicated 73 feet and 86 feet wide. Fountain Avenue is a fully improved secondary highway dedicated 60 feet wide and with a 30-foot wide roadway. Effects of Vacation on Circulation and Access: The vacation of the public street should not have an adverse effect on the vehicular circulation and access since the street proposed to be vacated terminates at the cul-de-sac. The subject street is also not needed for the use of pedestrians, bicyclists or equestrians. Objections to the vacation: There were no objections to the vacation submitted for this project. Reversionary Interest: No determinations of the underlying fee interest of the vacation area(s) has/have been made as to title or reversionary interest.
Public Works Committee - 6 - C. D. No. 13 Dedications and Improvements: It will be necessary that the petitioner provides for the dedications and improvements as outlined under Conditions. Sewers and Storm Drains: There are no existing storm drain facilities within the area proposed to be vacated. There are, however, existing sewer facilities within this area. Public Utilities: The Department of Water and Power and Southern California Gas Company maintain facilities in the area proposed to be vacated. Tract Map: Since the required dedications can be acquired by separate instruments and the necessary improvements can be constructed under separate permit processes, the requirement for the recordation of a new tract map could be waived. City Department of Transportation: The Department of Transportation states that based on traffic considerations, the vacation is not opposed if all abutting property owners are in agreement with the proposed vacation. In addition, that through the requirements of a tract map or by other means, provisions are made for (1) lot consolidation (2) driveway dedications and access removal by the Department of Transportation and (3) any additional dedications and improvements necessary to bring all adjacent streets into conformance with the City's Standard Street Dimensions. City Fire Department: The Fire Department states the subject property has been investigated by members of the Fire Department and they recommend that plot plans be submitted for their review and approval. Department of City Planning: The Department of City Planning did not respond to the Bureau of Engineering's referral letter dated July 16, 2002. Summary Vacation: Pursuant to Section 8334(b) of the California Streets and Highways code, this vacation could be processed under Summary Vacation proceedings since the vacation area lies within properties under one ownership and does not continue through such ownership or end touching the property of another. Conclusion: The vacation of the public street area as shown colored blue on attached Exhibit "B" could be conditionally approved based upon the following: 1. It is unnecessary for present or prospective public use. 2. It is not needed for vehicular circulation or access. 3. It is not needed for nonmotorized transportation purposes.
Public Works Committee - 7 - C. D. No. 13 The area shown colored orange should not be vacated because it is needed for public street purposes. Report Prepared By: Land Development Group Respectfully submitted, C.~ Yew, Manager d elopment Group Bureau of Engineering Jon Taam Civil Engineering Associate II (213)977-6984 EY/ds/jt LDG