City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: DECEMBER 19, 2023 FROM: COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WARD: 4
DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PR-2021-001180 STREET VACATION AND STREET NAME CHANGE – ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER A STREET VACATION TO VACATE SPENCER COURT, SITUATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF GREEN ORCHARD PLACE BETWEEN LONE PEAK COURT AND CRYSTAL VIEW TERRACE, TO FACILITATE A GATED RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ISSUE:
Adopt a Resolution of Intent to hold a public hearing on January 23, 2024, to consider a proposal by Shahvand Aryana, to vacate Spencer Court, situated on the east side of Green Orchard Place between Lone Peak Court and Crystal View Terrace, to facilitate a gated residential community.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
Adopt the attached resolution declaring its intent to hold a public hearing on January 23, 2024 to consider Planning Case PR-2021-001180 Street Vacation of Spencer Court, situated on the east side of Green Orchard Place between Lone Peak Court and Crystal View Terrace, to facilitate a gated residential community.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
On October 13, 2022, the City Planning Commission recommended approval of Planning Case PR-2021-001180, a request for a Street Vacation to vacate Spencer Court and a Street Name Change to change the name of Spencer Court to “Aryana View Court”, by a vote of 7 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 absent (Attachments 2 and 3).
BACKGROUND:
Spencer Court, a 60-foot-wide local street, connects with Green Orchard Terrace to the west and terminates approximately 500-feet to the east in a cul-de-sac. The public street currently serves nine vacant lots, six of which are owned by the applicant and the remainder by Mike Sadeghian. The street was identified as “Lot A” on Tract Map 31502 and dedicated the street to the City for “public use for public street and public utility purposes”. The street is fully improved with pavement, gutter, curb, and sidewalks.
Surrounding land uses include single family residential to the north, east, west, and the White Gates Reservoir to the south (across Green Orchard Place).
The Resolution of Intent to hold a public hearing is the first requirement for a street vacation, pursuant to the Public Streets, Highways, and Service Easements Vacation Law. Prior to ordering a street vacation, the City Council must first adopt a resolution declaring its intent to hold a public hearing to consider the vacation of Spencer Court, setting the place, date and time for the public hearing, and noticing requirements. As a matter of information, a Street Name Change to change the street name from “Spencer Court” to “Aryana View Court” is associated with the Street Vacation and is also to be considered concurrently by the City Council in a Public Hearing proposed to be held on January 23, 2024.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is requesting approval to vacate Spencer Court which consists of 0.84-acres, approximately 500 feet in length and 60 feet in width, to facilitate a gated residential community.
Staff has determined that the Street Vacation: 1) will not be needed to provide access to the public. The subject street is a cul-de-sac that currently provides access to nine parcels fronting the street. If vacated, the street will revert back to “Lot A” to be maintained by the Homeowners Association, as conditioned; will continue to provide access to the adjacent parcels; and will not impact access to any other parcels; 2) will not be necessary for present or future public use. If vacated, the street will revert back to “Lot A” and will be maintained by the Homeowners Association, as conditioned, providing access to the residents within the cul-de-sac and emergency services only; 3) The proposed street to be vacated will not alter the primary access to any of the existing lots and access will remain the same for all properties within the cul-de-sac and for the properties surrounding the cul-de-sac. The subject street will remain as the only point of access for the parcels. No adjacent parcels will be impacted by the street vacation; and 4) The proposed vacation will not impact access to any other parcels. All other streets will remain in their current configuration, and the proposed vacation will not impact vehicular or pedestrian circulation.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This project contributes to the Envision Riverside 2025 City Council Strategic Plan Priority 2 – Community Well-Being - Goal 2.3 – Strengthen neighborhood identities and improve community health and the physical environment through amenities and programs that foster an increased sense of community and enhanced feelings of pride and belonging citywide).
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads, as follows:
Community Trust – The City’s transparent entitlement process encourages public participation.
Equity – The proposed project furthers the City’s support of geographic diversity.
Fiscal Responsibility – All fiscal responsibility for the proposed project is borne by the applicant.
Innovation – The proposed project enhances the aesthetics of the neighborhood by providing exceptional improvements not normally possible on a public street.
Sustainability and Resiliency – The Street Vacation will alleviate the need for the City to service and maintain the street saving valuable resources.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action since all project costs are borne by the applicant.
Prepared by: Judy Egüez, Senior Planner
Approved by: Jennifer A. Lilley, Community & Economic Development Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Resolution of Intent to Hold a Public Hearing
City Planning Commission Report – October 13, 2022
City Planning Commission Minutes – October 13, 2022
PR-2021-001180 ● Page 2