Agenda Item: 8
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: January 28, 2025
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION FOR SUMMARY VACATION OF LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE EASEMENT ON MONARCH RIDGE DRIVE
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
PRESENTER: Andrew Adams
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution for the summary vacation of the landscape maintenance easement at 19608 Monarch Ridge Drive, as described in the attached Legal Description Exhibits.
2. Direct City Clerk to record the certified original resolution in the County of Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder's office.
BACKGROUND
A landscape maintenance easement located at 19608 Monarch Ridge Drive (Tract Map No. 48108) was dedicated to the City of Santa Clarita’s (City) Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) and recorded on September 9, 1996. The dedication of this maintenance easement provides access for the City to maintain landscape improvements located within LMD Zone 5 (Sunset Hills).
The owner of the subject property has applied with the Planning Division for an Oak Tree Permit under Master Case (MC24-090) to construct a garden wall, steps, and new landscaping in the backyard of the property. The applicant currently owns the land in fee, but it is currently encumbered by the existence of the above-referenced LMD maintenance easement. The easement proposed for summary vacation encompasses approximately 2,075 square feet of excess area primarily inclusive of slope segments, mature vegetation, and landscaped areas that do not interfere with LMD operations or require ongoing maintenance.
The existing easement exclusively serves the landscape maintenance district and supports no additional public purpose. Staff has determined that the easement is no longer needed by the
LMD for its operations. A legal description has been prepared by the property owner identifying the area proposed for vacation. If the City Council approves the vacation of the easement, the property owner will be required to submit all necessary documents for the easement vacation, including any revised site plans; obtain appropriate permits; and assume responsibility for the maintenance of all private landscape improvements within the vacated area as outlined in the Conditions of Approval under MC24-090.
Per Section 8333 of the California Streets and Highways Code, the legislative body of a local agency may summarily vacate a public service easement if the easement has been determined to be excess by the easement holder and there are no other public facilities located within the easement. Based on these conditions, staff has determined the subject easement to be excess and eligible for vacation.
In accordance with the City's adopted fee schedule for landscape maintenance easement vacations, the cost for this service is $1,125, which would increase Special Districts Fund (Fund 357) revenue account 357-462101 by that amount.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The approval of this action would result in an increase of $1,125 to the Special Districts Fund (Fund 357) revenue account 357-462101.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution