TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Scott Agajanian, Economic Development Director
PREPARED BY: Martha Samaniego, Management Analyst
SUBJECT:
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Fire Station 6 Land Swap Resolution and Exemption from the Surplus Land Act
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RECOMMENDATION
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Approve Resolution No. 24-4782 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Making Findings Relating to the Proposed Transfer of a Portion of City-Owned Real Property Located at Assessor’s Parcel Number 963-060-086 to J&T Investments, Inc., in Exchange for Real Property Owned by J&T Investments, Inc., Located at Assessors Parcel Number 963-060-065 and Adoption of Exemption from the Surplus Land Act.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
None.
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Aggressively pursue economic development.
BACKGROUND
The City of Murrieta is requesting an exemption for land dispensation from the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) related to the exchange of properties, one of which is owned by the City.
The City has identified a critical need to establish a sixth fire station within the City to enhance emergency response time and capabilities and to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. Based on data such as call volume and response times, as well as other factors, the recommended general location for a sixth fire station is the northeastern area of the City. Therefore, staff has been researching and exploring available land suitable for the construction of a fire station within this area.
The proposed Fire Station 6 site is located at Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 963-060-065 (“Fire Station Parcel”), which is located on Clinton Keith Road, northwest of Winchester Road, as shown in Attachment 2. The proposed Fire Station Parcel is currently owned by J&T Investments Inc. The City is the owner of real property, located in the City of Murrieta and is identified as APN 963-060-079 ("City Parcel"), located northwest of Winchester Road, west of Clinton Keith Road, and south of Porth Road, as shown on Attachment 1 Exhibit A. A portion of the City Parcel, which is identified as future APN 963-060-086 (“Remnant Parcel”), is undevelopable on a stand-alone basis due to its size and shape. However, J&T Investments Inc. owns land adjacent to the Remnant Parcel which would allow the Remnant Parcel to be developed. Moreover, the Fire Station Parcel is an optimal location for Fire Station 6. Hence, to facilitate the establishment and construction of Fire Station 6, staff recommends a land swap of the Fire Station Parcel and the Remnant Parcel, if this exchange is approved by HCD and the parties can negotiate the terms of an Exchange Agreement.
Pursuant to the Surplus Property Land Act (Government Code Sections 54220-54233), as amended by Assembly Bill 1486 (effective January 1, 2020), and Assembly Bill 480 (effective January 1, 2024), on July 30, 2024, HCD requested via email that the City Council make certain findings regarding the Remnant Parcel.
Accordingly, staff requests that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution to make the findings HCD has requested. These findings are that the City Property is not:
(A) Within a coastal zone;
(B) Adjacent to a historical unit of the State Parks System;
(C) Listed on, or determined by the State Office of Historic Preservation to be eligible for, the National Register of Historic Places; or
(D) Within the Lake Tahoe region.
When requesting an exemption for land dispensation, the State of California Department of (HCD) requires a resolution be approved by the City Council, making certain findings. The attached resolution has been reviewed by HCD and the City Attorney and this draft is presented to the City Council for approval.
Adoption of this resolution does not supersede the requirement to bring the sale of this land back to the City Council for approval. Staff is currently working on a purchase and sale agreement for the exchange of the properties, which will be presented to the City Council for consideration in the future. It is anticipated that the Fire Station Parcel has a higher value than the Remnant Parcel such that if the City Council approves the purchase and sale agreement, that agenda item will include a budget appropriation for the delta in the land valuations.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution has no immediate fiscal impact; however, future approval of the purchase and sale agreement will have a fiscal impact, which will be explained in detail when that item is brought forward.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 24-4782
2. Vicinity Map