To:
CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Jacki Scott, Public Works Director/City Engineer
DATE:
SUBJECT:
March 3, 2026
Approval of Right of Way Contract with Christian Mission Church and Authorization for Just Compensation for the Crown Valley Parkway Westbound Widening Project
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve the Right of Way Contract with Christian Mission Church on a portion of Assessor Parcel Number 636-034-07 for the Crown Valley Parkway Westbound Widening Project;
2) Authorize the payment of Just Compensation to Christian Mission Church in the amount of $200,230.27; and,
3) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Right of Way Contract on the City's behalf.
BACKGROUND
Crown Valley Parkway, from Interstate 5 (1-5) to Greenfield Drive, is designated as an Enhanced Major Arterial Highway in the Circulation Element of the City's General Plan.
The designation of "enhanced" indicates that traffic conditions in this location require additional travel lanes to reduce current congestion and to meet future traffic volume expectations. The need for additional travel lanes in this section of Crown Valley Parkway was also included in the Gateway Specific Plan.
The Crown Valley Parkway Westbound Widening Project (Project) includes the construction of a fourth lane on Crown Valley Parkway, from the 1-5 southbound off-ramp to Cabot Road. The Project will require the widening of the Oso Creek Bridge, which spans Oso Creek Channel, as well as the bridge spanning the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) railroad tracks. Additionally, the project will widen the intersection of Crown Valley Parkway and Forbes Road. These improvements include widening Forbes Road from Crown Valley Parkway to approximately 100' south of Cape Drive. The median and parkway landscaping, street lighting, and signage will also be enhanced along Forbes Road.
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In order for the widening of Forbes Road to occur, a Right of Way contract with the Christian Mission Church property, consisting of approximately 1,248 square feet is required (Attachment A). Psomas, a consultant on the City's On-Call Professional Services list, prepared the legal description and the exhibit showing the area to be acquired. The right of way contract will accommodate both the acquisition of property and a 1,724 temporary construction easement. Christian Mission Church is a willing and cooperative property owner in this proposed transaction .
ANALYSIS
In May 2025, the City appraised the Christian Mission Church property for this right-of way acquisition through the consultant firm, Monument Real Estate Services. Since then, City staff has negotiated a Right of Way Contract with Christian Mission Church in the amount of $200,237.27.
The successful widening of Crown Valley Parkway can only be accomplished through the acquisition of public right-of-way and similar access rights. The property owner, Christian Mission Church, is a willing party to the agreement and has agreed to the cost determined through the appraisal, allowing this right-of-way acquisition to be completed. The approval of this Right of Way Contract and the payment of Just Compensation will complete this property acquisition. This Project supports Goal 4 (Infrastructure and Technology) of the City's adopted Strategic Plan.
CEQA COMPLIANCE
Resolution No. 2011-1047, certifying the Laguna Niguel Gateway Specific Plan Final Program Environmental Impact Report 11-01 (State Clearing House No. 1998111080) provided CEQA compliance for this Project.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The City Council may decide not to approve the Right of Way Contract and payment of Just Compensation. This alternative is not recommended as the Crown Valley Parkway Westbound Widening Project would be delayed and the associated grant funding may be jeopardized .
FISCAL REVIEW
The Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital Improvement Program includes sufficient funding for Right-of-Way phase of the Crown Valley Parkway Westbound Widening Project, to include payment associated with the Right of Way Contract to Christian Mission Church.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's office has reviewed the Right of Way form contract and this report and has approved the documents as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Approve the Right of Way Contract with Christian Mission Church on a portion of Assessor Parcel Number 636-034-07 for the Crown Valley Parkway Westbound Widening Project;
2) Authorize the payment of Just Compensation to Christian Mission Church in the amount of $200,230.27; and,
3) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Right of Way Contract on the City's behalf. ~ cj~ , ~ ~
Tamara S. Letourneau
City Manager
HarlS Martin
Senior Civil Engineer
Attachment:
A. Location Map
Ja~~V?
Public Works Director
Scott C. Smith
City Attorney
ATTACHMENT A
Location Map
LEGEND
~ Portion of APN 636-034-07
Location Map
Christian Mission Church Right of Way Acquisition
Laguna Niguel
VICINITY MAP