RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution of Intention of the City Council of the City of Mountain View to Vacate the Public Street and Street Easement Known as Gamel Way in its E ntirety, to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the Council report), and set a date for a public hearing to consider the vacation for September 8, 2026.
BACKGROUND
City staff is currently reviewing a Development Review Permit , Heritage Tree Removal Permit, and a Tentative Map to construct a seven-story, 216 condominium unit residential development with two levels of podium parking . The project will replace 29 apartment units in seven existing multi-family buildings . The project is a housing development project that is being processed under the Builder’s Remedy provisions of the Housing Accountability Act, which limits the City’s ability to deny or condition approval o f a housing development project for very low -, low-, or moderate-income households in a manner that renders the project infeasible for affordable housing development (Gov. Code, § 65589.5(d)). The project also qualifies for the statutory CEQA exemption under Public Resources Code Section 21080.66 and is eligible for administrative review under the recently adopted Streamlined Administrative Approval for Housing Development Projects Utilizing AB 130.
The applicant has requested that the City vacate the existing public street right -of-way, known as Gamel Way, in its entirety (see Figure 1) . This public street was dedicated via two separate instruments. The majority of the street was established in 1949 via a grant deed to the City of Mountain View, recorded in Book 1813, Page 46. The cul -de-sac at the end of Gamel Way was established in 1964 via a n easement for public use , recorded in Book 6345, Page 432. With the proposed development, the roadway and all public utilities are to be removed or relocated, and the street would no longer be needed.
DATE: June 23, 2026
CATEGORY: Consent
DEPT.: Public Works
TITLE: Notice of Intention to Vacate Public
Street and Easement for Gamel Way
Notice of Intention to Vacate Public Street and Easement for Gamel Way June 23, 2026
Figure 1. Existing Public Street and Easement
ANALYSIS
General vacation of a public street is a discretionary action by the Council, authorized pursuant to Streets and Highways Code Section 8300, et seq. Pursuant to Section 8320(b)(2) of the Streets and Highways Code, to allow for the possibility of Council approving the public street and easement vacations on September 8 , 2026, Council must adopt a Resolution of Intention to vacate the public street and easement and set a date for the public hearing to consider the vacation. The recommended actions accomplish this requirement but do not obligate the Council to approve the vacation. Council will continue to have full discretion to consider the vacation at its September 8, 2026 meeting.
More details about the terms and conditions for the sale of Gamel Way will be provided at the September 8, 2026 Council meeting, at which time Council will consider the request to authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement for Gamel Way.
Notice of Intention to Vacate Public Street and Easement for Gamel Way June 23, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with setting the hearing date. The applicant has paid the required fees to the City to process this request.
LEVINE ACT
California Government Code Section 84308 (also known as the Levine Act) prohibits city officials from participating in any proceeding involving a “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” if the official has received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant within the last 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay -to-play-limits-and- prohibitions.html
Please see below for information about whether the recommended action for this agenda item is subject to or exempt from the Levine Act.
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
☒ Land development entitlements
☒ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
ALTERNATIVES
1. Determine not to move forward with the street and easement vacation proceedings.
2. Designate an alternate date for the public hearing to consider adoption of a Resolution o f Intention to vacate, with that date being not less than 15 days from the date of this Council meeting in accordance with the Streets and Highways Code.
Notice of Intention to Vacate Public Street and Easement for Gamel Way June 23, 2026
PUBLIC NOTICING
Agenda posting. In accordance with Sections 8322 and 8323 of the Streets and Highways Code, notices of the Resolution of Intention, if adopted, will be posted along the public right of way and easements to be vacated and published in the newspaper.
Prepared by:
Renee Gunn
Senior Civil Engineer
Reviewed by:
Quynh Byrer
Principal Civil Engineer
Edward Arango
Assistant Public Works Director/City
Engineer
Approved by:
Jennifer Ng
Public Works Director
Audrey D. Seymour
Assistant City Manager
Attachment: 1. Resolution
cc: DeNardi Wang Homes
4962 El Camino Real, Los
Altos, CA 94022
APWD—Arango, PCE—Byrer, SCE–Gunn, File (1919 Gamel Way), SC/T, [email protected]