Administrative
Report
H.8., File # 22-5252 Meeting Date: 2/7/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: TED SEMAAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
APPROVE A RIGHT OF WAY CONTRACT WITH CALTRANS FOR A PERMANENT HIGHWAY EASEMENT AND EXECUTION OF AN EASEMENT DEED FOR A 405 SQUARE FOOT PORTION OF CITY PROPERTY LOCATED AT 321 NORTH PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY IN EXCHANGE FOR PAYMENT TO THE CITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,150 FOR THE CONVEYED PROPERTY
INTEREST
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the Caltrans capital maintenance project to resurface Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and install curb ramps in Los Angeles County, including the portion running through Redondo Beach, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has offered to purchase a permanent highway easement from the City consisting of 405 square feet of space south-west of the PCH and Carnelian Street intersection. The address for the City parcel is 321 North PCH and is adjacent to the City’s Main Library. Installation of the new curb ramp requires the state to acquire right of use for a small portion of the parcel to accommodate construction and continued public use of the land for a sidewalk. With Council direction, staff has negotiated a sales price of $50,150 to convey the property interest.
The easement area is currently used for public sidewalk but is owned by the City. Conveying the property interest to the state will not change that use but will transfer maintenance and liability responsibilities to Caltrans. Therefore, staff recommends the City Council approve the transaction and authorize the Mayor to execute the attached Right of Way Contract and Easement Deed to convey the property to the state.
BACKGROUND
A Caltrans right of way agent reached out to the City in early 2022 discussing the need to acquire a permanent highway easement to the 405 square foot portion of 321 North PCH in Redondo Beach for their capital preventative maintenance project (CAPM) EA 32580. A copy of the fact sheet for the CAPM project is attached. The agent also sent documentation informing the City of its intent to perform an appraisal and the City’s rights to seek an independent appraisal.
The portion of the property in question is already being used for a sidewalk and curb ramp. The curb ramp is not built to current standards, must be rebuilt as part of the CAPM project, and requires additional space to construct appropriately. The encumbrance upon this small portion of the parcel caused by a permanent highway easement will have no foreseeable impact on the current use of the parcel. The City has no programmed or contemplated project to change the current use. Therefore,
H.8., File # 22-5252 Meeting Date: 2/7/2023
parcel. The City has no programmed or contemplated project to change the current use. Therefore, staff believes it is in the City’s interest to convey the use, maintenance and liability responsibilities to the state since the property is currently adjacent to a state highway.
The City received the Caltrans appraisal in April 2022, which calculated the property’s market value at $46,100, or about $114 per square foot. After conferring with the City Council, staff presented a counter offer to the State in the amount of $50,150 or $125 per square foot. This unit price was based on the City’s recent fee acquisition of right of way for a similar portion of a parcel at the northwesterly corner of Inglewood and Manhattan Beach Blvd. Caltrans accepted the offer and provided the attached Right of Way Contract and Easement Deed, which, when executed and recorded, will convey the property rights.
COORDINATION
The work to evaluate and negotiate this transaction was coordinated in the Public Works Department.
The City’s Attorney’s Office has approved the Right of Way Contract and Easement Deed documents as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
Proceeds for the conveyance of the Easement Deed will benefit the City’s General Fund in the amount of $50,150.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Right of Way Contract - State Highway 321 North PCH, a portion of 7503-028-904 · Easement Deed - California Department of Transportation · Fact Sheet - CAPM EA 32580