TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Bob Moehling, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: Jeff Lyall, Senior Development Services Technician
SUBJECT:
title
Summary Vacation of an Easement for Public Right-of-Way Purposes for a Portion of Parcel 3 of Parcel Map 7704
end
ABSTRACT
The City Council is being asked to approve the summary vacation of approximately 3,181 square feet of excess Washington Avenue right-of-way within Parcel 3 of Parcel Map 7704 to support a proposed development project by Downtown SPE 906-090-014 LLC. Staff determined that the area is no longer needed for future public use, that the vacation is consistent with the General Plan and Downtown Specific Plan and has no conflicting public utility facilities or easement needs. The Planning Commission previously determined the vacation to be consistent with the General Plan on July 8, 2026. Staff recommends adoption of the resolution and authorization for the City Manager to execute the necessary documents to complete the easement vacation.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 26-4975 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California to Order the Summary Vacation of an Easement for Public Right-of-Way Purposes Pursuant to Streets and Highways Code Sections 8300 et. seq.; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute any required documents in a form approved by the City Attorney as necessary to effectuate the transfer of the easement.
body
PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On July 8, 2026, the Planning Commission approved a resolution determining that a vacation of a portion of Washington Avenue is consistent with the General Plan.
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
This item aligns with the City Council goal to aggressively pursue economic development. The proposed vacation is consistent with the General Plan and Downtown Specific Plan and supports the planned use and development of the area.
DISCUSSION
An application was filed by Downtown SPE 906-090-014 LLC, the applicant, to vacate a public right-of-way easement located within parcel 3 of Parcel Map 7704. The land being vacated consists of a portion of Washington Avenue, approximately 3,181 sf, located at the southeastern corner of Washington Avenue and Kalmia Street, generally fronting Washington Avenue. The applicant is developing on Washington Avenue and the vacation is required to support this development. Staff has reviewed the application and determined that the requested right-of-way to be vacated is excess and no longer needed per the General Plan and the Downtown Specific Plan. Utilities have been notified, and there are no conflicting utilities with the proposed vacation area or requests from public utilities to reserve an easement. Therefore, staff recommends completing a summary vacation of the requested portion of Washington Avenue right-of-way. Engineering staff reviewed the proposed vacation for conformance with the Streets and Highway Code Chapter 4, Part 3, Division 9, and the Murrieta Municipal Code. The legal description (Exhibit A to the Resolution) and plat map (Exhibit B to the Resolution) describe and show the location of the right-of-way to be vacated. The City may proceed with summary vacation, as there are no public utility facilities in the easement subject to the vacation.
PUBLIC NOTICING
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
CEQA AND REGULATORY OVERVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
ATT 1 - Resolution No. 26-4975