Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: {{section.number}}C
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: March 5, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: John Ferons, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: John Ferons, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution 24-4249 Vacating Public Service Easements at 6721 and 6731 Mesa Court
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
The purpose of this consent item is to summarily vacate a public service easement that has never been occupied or used for its intended purpose. California Streets and Highway Code allows a public agency to relinquish an easement if the easement has not been used for five consecutive years, and/or the Town has determined the easement is “excess.” This staff report is specific to two locations along the Mesa Court public right of way that meets both of those criteria and may be vacated.
The Mesa Vista Subdivision located along Yountville Crossroad just east of Yount Street recorded a map in 1981 to create a 7-lot development and the public street known as Mesa Court. The original design of the subdivision created a narrow parallel street right of way with four wider parking pockets to provide space for perpendicular street parking. However, when Mesa Vista Subdivision was constructed, only two and a half parking pockets were constructed.
When the Mesa Vista Subdivision was constructed after the map recorded in 1981, the houses on subdivision Lots 5 and 6, 6721 and 6731 Mesa Court respectfully, were shifted forward on each lot. As a result, the private infrastructure in the form of driveways and planters for each of the houses was constructed in lieu of the public parking pockets in each of those property’s frontage.
Since this condition has existed in the neighborhood since its construction with no negative impacts from the absent parking pockets, the easements created to support the parking meet the criteria to be vacated as they have not been used for greater than 5-years and are considered excess. Upon summary vacation, the easements become extinguished, and the property rights return to the adjacent parcel, one for each 6721 and 6731 Mesa Court.
After consideration of this consent item and the evidence herein, Town Council finds and determines that the portions of the public easements described in the attached Exhibit A, drawn in Exhibit B, and shown in Exhibit C may be vacated by adoption of Resolution 24-4249.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Not Applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? No
Is it Currently Budgeted? N/A
Where is it Budgeted? N/A
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Discretionary
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? Nominal
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Is item Identified in Strategic Plan? Yes
If yes, Identify Strategic Goal and Objective. Exceptional Town Services and Staff: The Town supports its talented staff who deliver high quality municipal programs and services while maintaining public infrastructure for the benefit of the community. Quality of Life: The Town enhances the livability of Yountville by providing well-maintained public facilities, parks, and trails, and quality programs and events.
Briefly Explain Relationship to Strategic Plan Goal and Objective. Vacation of the easement is part of the Town Staff's responsibility in maintaining public infrastructure to ensure the quality of life for its local resident property owners.