HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6e. Authorize Right-of-Way Aquisition from Caltrans for Higuera Street Widening (Bridge to Elks) Project (Spec. No. 2091294) (50 Higuera St.) Item 6e
Department: Public Works
Cost Center: 5010
For Agenda of: 10/17/2023
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Matt Horn, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Bryan Wheeler, Transportation Planner / Engineer
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION OF 50 HIGUERA STREET
FROM CALTRANS FOR THE HIGUERA STREET WIDENING (BRIDGE
TO ELKS) PROJECT, SPECIFICATION NO. 2091294
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, affirming the transfer of Easements from the State of California
Department of Transportation to support construction of the Higuera Street Widening
(Bridge to Elks) Project, Specification No. 2091294.”
POLICY CONTEXT
The City’s General Plan Circulation Element and Mid-Higuera Enhancement Plan identify
plans to widen various segments of Higuera Street to provide width for continuous center
medians/left-turn lanes. A project to accomplish this along the segment between Bridge
Street and Elks Lane is currently in design (Specification No. 2091294). In addition, the
City’s Active Transportation Plan identifies plans for complete street improvements along
the Higuera Street corridor from Marsh Street to Los Osos Valley Road, including addition
of protected bike lanes and a center turn lane (where turn lanes do not currently exist).
This project is also currently in design. Both of these projects are in alignment with the
City’s current Major City Goal for Climate Action, Open Space and Sustainable
Transportation. In order to support the planned Higuera Street Widening (Bridge to Elks)
and Higuera Complete Street Projects, right-of-way acquisition is needed from the
property at 50 Higuera Street, which is owned by the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans).
With previous authorization from Council, staff has advanced negotiations with Caltrans
to acquire the road, pedestrian, and temporary construction easements needed to
construct the planned widening of Higuera Street from Bridge Street to Elks Lane. Before
Caltrans can approve this right-of-way transaction, they require a resolution adopted by
the San Luis Obispo City Council affirming the purpose and need for these easements.
The purpose of this staff report is to request that the City Council adopt a resolution
(Attachment A) to affirm the purpose and need for this land acquisition, and the City’s
intent to accept these easements once approved by Caltrans.
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Item 6e
DISCUSSION
Background
Currently, there is no center median or left-turn lanes along Higuera Street between
Bridge Street and Fontana Avenue, which has contributed to a high collision rate,
particularly along the segment between Bridge Street and Elks Lane fronting the Caltrans
property at 50 Higuera Street. This segment has been identified as a high collision rate
location in the City’s annual Traffic Safety Report, with a total of 20 collisions reported in
the most recent five-year period on Higuera between Madonna Road and Elks Lane. The
recommendation identified in the City’s Traffic Safety Report to mitigate this collision trend
is widening of Higuera Street to provide a continuous center two-way left-turn lane. The
addition of a center turn lane is also identified in the General Plan Circulation Element.
In 2014, staff applied through the Caltrans Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP),
requesting grant funding to support a roadway widening project along a 600-foot segment
of Higuera Street between Bridge Street and Elks Lane to provide a dedicated center left-
turn lane. The application was successful, and the City was awarded $451,000 of federal
funding to support the development of this project.
An easement is required along the west side of Higuera Street fronting the Caltrans
property at 50 Higuera Street to construct the proposed roadway improvements. Staff has
procured property appraisals for this right-of-way, which includes 7,071 sq. ft. of
permanent roadway easement, 1,188 sq. ft. of permanent pedestrian easement , and
5,542 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement (TCE). An exhibit illustrating the
proposed easements for the project is part of the Resolution, Attachment A, as required
by Caltrans. The eventual roadway configuration of the project is provided as Attachment
B.
Over the past several years, project designs have been advanced to the 90% complete
stage, environmental (CEQA/NEPA) certification is complete, right-of-way limits are
confirmed, and property appraisals have been completed. Staff has made significant
progress with Caltrans on right-of-way acquisition and is on pace to complete this
transaction by early 2024. One of the remaining items needed for Caltrans to approve this
land transaction is City Council Resolution which would state the public purpose/need for
the three easements on the Caltrans property.
It should also be noted that staff is in progress with designs for the Higuera Complete
Street Project, which will advance multimodal improvements along Higuera Street,
including the segment between Bridge Street and Elks Lane. The Higuera Widening
Project, which is planned to be constructed ahead of the Complete Street Project, will not
only provide the additional street width needed to add a center turn lane, but will provi de
additional width needed to implement protected bike lanes at this location with the
Complete Street Project. The Higuera Widening (Bridge to Elks) Project is on pace to
start construction by summer 2024.
Page 184 of 250
Item 6e
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
During a Closed Session held on February 15, 2023, the City Council authorized staff
pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8 to begin formal negotiations
with Caltrans to acquire the easements needed to construct the Higuera Widening (Bridge
to Elks) Project.
Public Engagement
Opportunities for public input regarding plans to widen Higuera Street between Bridge
Street and Elks Lane were provided as part of the 2014 General Plan LUCE Update, as
part of the Mid-Higuera Enhancement Plan, and with approval of capital improvement
project funding appropriations through several recent City Financial Plans. This specific
item is on the Council Agenda for the October 17, 2023 meeting and will follow all required
postings and notifications. The public will have additional opportunity to comment on this
item at or before the meeting. Lastly, staff will return for City Council to approve the final
project plans and specifications and request authorization to advertise the project for
construction, which provides the public an additional opportunity to provide input on this
project prior to implementation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Both CEQA and NEPA environmental review have been previously approved for the
Higuera Widening (Bridge to Elks) project. A Categorical Exemption for both CEQA and
NEPA was completed in 2010, as an Existing Facility (15301). The Community
Development Department has determined that to date, there have been no substantial
changes to the project, project area, or circumstances of the pro ject that would require
further environmental review.
CONCURRENCE
This staff report has been reviewed and has concurrence from the Public Works
Department, including the City Engineer, as well as the City Attorney’s Office and City
Administration.
FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal Analysis
Budgeted: N/A Budget Year: FY 2023-24
Funding Identified:
Page 185 of 250
Item 6e
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total N/A N/A N/A N/A
The specific action requested in this report has no direct fiscal impact. In a Closed Session
held on February 15, 2023, the City Council authorized staff to negotiate with Caltrans on
price and terms for acquisition of easements needed to construct the project. Negotiations
with Caltrans are ongoing. Currently, there is a balance of approximately $942,000 in the
project account, which is anticipated to be sufficient to fund right-of-way acquisition and
construction of the project. The project will be presented to City Council again as part of
the standard CIP approval process.
ALTERNATIVES
Council could decide not to approve the Resolution affirming the purpose and need
of the easements at 50 Higuera Street. This action is not recommended by staff
because it will likely delay both the Higuera Widening (Bridge to Elks) and Higuera
Complete Street projects and subject these projects to additional cost escalation.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution affirming the transfer of easements for the Higuera Street
Widening (Bridge to Elks) Project, Specification No. 2091294
B - Draft Striping Plan Design Layout for Higuera Street Widening Project
Page 186 of 250
R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2023 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AFFIRMING THE TRANSFER OF EASEMENTS
FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGUERA
STREET WIDENING (BRIDGE TO ELKS) PROJECT, SPECIFICATION
NO. 2091294
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo (“City”) General Plan Circulation Element
and Mid-Higuera Enhancement Plan identify plans for widening of Higuera Street to
provide width for a continuous center median/left turn lane; and
WHEREAS, the City plans to construct the Higuera Street Widening (Bridge to
Elks) Project (“Project”), which includes roadway widening along Higuera Street to
provide width for a center turn lane, enhanced bikeways, and pedestrian sidewalks; and
WHEREAS, a real property interest is required to construct the Project, which
necessitates easements for public road, pedestrian, and temporary construction
purposes over that certain real property owned by the State of California Department of
Transportation (the "State") described as DE 12012-01-01, DE 12012-01-02, DE 12012-
01-03 in the attached Director’s Deed Easement Maps; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for City to acquire the State Property
Easement; and
WHEREAS, on December 10th, 2010, the City of San Luis Obispo Community
Development Department certified a Notice of Exemption for the Project, which was
prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the
State CEQA Guidelines, adequately addressing impacts associated with the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Community Development Department has determined that to
date, there have been no substantial changes to the project, project area, or
circumstances of the project that would require further environmental review.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows/or that (whatever action is needed):
SECTION 1. That the recitals set forth above are true and correct and are
incorporated herein.
SECTION 2. Property described in the Director’s Deed Maps shall be used for the
construction of the Higuera Widening (Bridge to Elks) Project.
Page 187 of 250
Resolution No. _____ (2023 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall deliver to Public Works copies of this Resolution
for further processing and coordination with the State and California Transportation
Commission (CTC).
Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member
___________, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _______________ 20 23.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
Page 188 of 250
Date
Project No.
Filename: \\ghdnet\ghd\US\San Luis Obispo\Projects\Legacy\PRJ\2082\2082EX008.dwg
Plot Date: 01 September 2023 9:11 AM
2082CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
HIGUERA STREET WIDENING PROJECT JULY 2023
0 400'200'DETAIL MAP
N
DE 12012-01-02
DE 12012-01-01
DE 12012-01-03
DISTRICT COUNTY ROUTE POSTMILE NUMBER
SLO 101 27.5
LEGEND
KEY PARCEL NUMBER AREA (SF)
DE 12012-01-01 7,071
DE 12012-01-02 1,188
DE 12012-01-03 5,542
Page 189 of 250
Page 190 of 250
Date
Project No.
Filename: \\ghdnet\ghd\US\San Luis Obispo\Projects\Legacy\PRJ\2082\2082EX008.dwg
Plot Date: 01 September 2023 9:05 AM
2082CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
HIGUERA STREET WIDENING PROJECT JULY 2023
0 2000'1000'
INDEX MAP
N
DE 12012-01-02
DE 12012-01-01
DE 12012-01-03
DISTRICT COUNTY ROUTE POSTMILE NUMBER
SLO 101 27.5
LEGEND
KEY PARCEL NUMBER AREA (SF)
DE 12012-01-01 7,071
DE 12012-01-02 1,188
DE 12012-01-03 5,542
Page 191 of 250
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HIGUERA STREET WIDENINGCITY SPECIFICATION NO.02/28/2023DATE:PROJECT TITLE:SHEET TITLE:ofSHEET NO.8DESIGNED BY:DRAWN BY:CHECKED BY:JDWAPPROVED BY:JDWSCALE:Approved: PLAN FILE NO. / LOCATIONO:\PRJ\2082\2082PD001.dwg 2/28/2023 2:30:24 PM-81"=20'SIGNING AND STRIPING PLAN2082PD001JSBJSBN Page 193 of 250
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