Agenda Item11
1 DATE: May 5, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager FROM: Kent Carothers, PE – City Engineer, Public Works Department Dylan Brady – Assistant City Attorney, City Attorney’s Office SUBJECT: Introduction (First Reading) of an Ordinance Approving the Easement Dedication at the Riverfront Development for the Caulfield Extension located at 0 Bautista Way, APN: 136-690-012
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance Approving the Easement Dedication at the Riverfront Development for the Caulfield Extension located at 0 Bautista, APN: 136-690-012.
BACKGROUND
The Riverfront Subdivision received tentative map approval from the City Council on July 21, 2014. As part of the Riverfront 11-TM-0130 Conditions of Approval (21014-127 N.C.S.) there needs to be a dedication for the future Caulfield extension and southern crossing located at the Riverfront Active Park, along the Petaluma River. The Riverscape Town Home Development (PLMA-21-0002) will be the last subdivision in the Riverfront Development and the easement dedication is required before the Riverscape Final Map is presented to Council.
The proposed acquisition is regulated by Section 46 of Article VII of the Petaluma City Charter.
Section 46 provides, in pertinent part, that no City action providing for the sale or lease of real property having a value of $3,000 or more may be taken except by ordinance or pursuant to a general law of the State. This action, acquiring the easement for the potential Caufield Extension by ordinance, is in compliance with Section 46 of Article VII of the Petaluma City Charter. 2 DISCUSSION
TL Partnership and Riverfront LLC will be requesting approval of the Riverscape Subdivision final map, construction of public improvements for a portion of Hopper and Caulfield Lane, and extension and new streets serving the subdivision. As part of the entitlement process for the Riverscape Subdivision, the project was conditioned to require the developer to dedicate the proposed easement to the City. This action satisfies that condition. There will be no construction requirements as part of the easement dedication alone. The easement is necessary for the proposed Caufield Extension, should Council in the future choose to build that project.
The proposed easement dedication and survey exhibits have been reviewed and determined by City staff to meet all the requirements necessary for the City Council to approve the Easement Dedication and acquire the easement.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This agenda item appeared on the City’s tentative agenda document on April 21, 2025, which was a publicly noticed meeting.
COUNCIL GOAL ALIGNMENT
The City Council has identified “An Economy That Prospers” as one of its key strategic initiatives. Objective #3 seeks to “Focus on the riverfront and river-oriented development”, and to “Establish bicycle and walking paths and other river access amenities along the Petaluma River as identified in the River Access and Enhancement Plan.” “An Economy That Prospers” also identifies in Objective #1 the need to prioritize and incentivize sustainable infill development.
CLIMATE ACTION/SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
The Easement Dedication is a preliminary step with the potential to increase active transportation options for community members wishing to cross Petaluma without a car. The easement’s proximity to the River Trail, which extends west to downtown and east to Shollenberger and Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility, and its potential to create a new cross-town connector over the Petaluma River align this project with the Blueprint for Climate Action’s cornerstone action AT-1: Active transportation and complete street improvements. 3 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), City staff determined that the Project is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Staff found that there is no possible significant effect directly related to the easement acquisition as proposed, as there is no proposed change in existing conditions with the exception of ownership; therefore, no further action is required under CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines (14 CCR Section 15061(b)(3)), and independently, the Project is categorically exempt (class 5) pursuant to Section 15305 of the State CEQA Guidelines (Minor Alterations in Land Use). None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2, apply to this project. Any future physical development due to the easement acquisition will require its own review under CEQA.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The cost of reviewing and processing the easement and final map and improvement plan applications for the Riverscape Subdivision are subject to 100% cost recovery. City impact fees will be collected upon issuance of certificates of occupancy for the units as the subdivision is built out.
ALTERNATIVES
If the easement is not accepted by the City Council, the recommendation for Resolution approving the Final Map will include removing the condition for the easement for the Riverscape Subdivision. In this circumstance, the City would not have the Public Access Easement necessary for the future buildout of the Caulfield Bridge project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance
A. Easement Exhibits