Item 10-A
Santa Monica, California
Council Meeting: August 10, 1999
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Hold a Public Hearing and Adopt the Resolution Ordering the Vacation of Excess Street Right-of Way and Public Service Easements at Wilshire Place and Fifteenth Court Alleys
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing to hear comments from the public regarding the proposed vacation of public access and utility easements located at Wilshire Place and Fifteenth Court. This report also recommends adoption of the resolution ordering the vacation of these easements.
Background
From its inception in 1926, Santa Monica Hospital Medical Center has functioned as a non-profit, full-service, community-based medical center. The hospital suffered significant structural damage as a result of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, requiring temporary closure. Following substantial interim structural repairs, the hospital tower reopened in 1995, with requirements established by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development that the hospital tower must either be replaced or upgraded to current codes by 2003.
In August 1995, the hospital was acquired by the University of California (UCLA), and renamed the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center (SM-UCLA-MC). Following a detailed assessment of the earthquake damage, and completion of the SM-UCLA-MC Master Plan Study, UCLA determined that repairing the hospital tower would prove unacceptably disruptive to patient care and not be cost effective. Instead, they recommended the construction of a new tower and the acquisition of three commercial properties fronting Wilshire Boulevard to accommodate a replacement building. In conjunction with the acquisition, UCLA has requested that the City take action to vacate the public utility and right-of-way easements located in Wilshire Place South and Fifteenth Court alleys (see Attached Legal Descriptions and Site Maps of the subject area).
Discussion
The proposed site for the replacement medical facility encompasses the entire city block bounded by Wilshire Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, between 15th and 16th Streets. In conjunction with its acquisition of the parcels along Wilshire Boulevard, UCLA requests that the City vacate its public utility and right-of-way easements located in Wilshire Place South. In addition, they request the vacation of public utility easements reserved by Resolution Number 3610 (CCS) adopted in 1967 in connection with the vacation of the right-of-way easement in a portion of 15th Street Court.
Legal descriptions of properties are provided in Exhibit A of the attached Resolution, as well as a site survey map showing the alley and easements to be vacated. Completion of the vacation proceedings shall be contingent upon: 1) UCLA obtaining ownership of the properties located at 1512-1524 Wilshire Boulevard and 1502 Wilshire Boulevard, and 2) taking all steps necessary to relocate existing utility facilities to the satisfaction of each utility provider and the City Engineer. Relocations will be performed at UCLA
=s sole expense. On July 13, 1999 the City Council of the City of Santa Monica adopted Resolution No. 9423 (CCS) setting the matter for public hearing and declaring its intent to order vacation of the excess public street right-of-way and public service utility easements located at the site. On July 22 and 29, 1999 notices of the proposed vacation proceedings were published in the Argonaut. On July 19, 1999 notices of the proposed vacation proceedings and public hearing were posted along the areas to be vacated. Publication and postings was done in accordance with California Streets and Highways Code Sections 8322 and 8323.Budget/Financial Impact
No financial impact to the City is anticipated as a result of the vacation of these public access and utility easements.
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends that the City Council conduct the public hearing and adopt the attached Resolution ordering vacation of the public utility and right-of-way easements in Wilshire Place South and 15th Court alleys.
Attachments:
Resolution Ordering the vacation of public access and utility easements
Legal Descriptions
Site Map
Prepared by:
Craig Perkins, Director of Environmental & Public Works Management
Anthony Antich, P.E., City Engineer
Linda Moxon, Deputy City Attorney
Ruth Odell, Engineering Support Services Supervisor