Title
General Plan Conformity Finding Concerning the Proposed Sale of City-owned Property Located at 2139 Laura Avenue (APN # 077A-0655-150-00). Sale of this Single-Family Home Preserves the Low Density Single Family Character of the Surrounding Area.
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
The City of San Leandro desires to sell City-owned property located at 2139 Laura Ave property, which is currently vacant, as a single family residence to maintain the existing single family neighborhood fabric surrounding it.
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission find that the proposed sale or disposition of 2139 Laura Ave (APN # 077A-0655-150-00) is consistent with the City’s 2035 General Plan.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City of San Leandro originally purchased 2139 Laura Avenue in 2008 as part of its plans to expand Davis Street (Westgate Parkway Extension Project). The Westgate Extension Project (Project) was undertaken to improve traffic circulation on Davis Street in the area of I-880, Timothy Drive and Warden Avenue and was one of the projects funded by the ½ cent sales tax passed by voters in 2000 (Measure B). Phase I extended Westgate Parkway from Williams Street to Davis Street and improved traffic flow from Westgate into the Westgate Shopping Center. Phase II improved traffic circulation in the area in coordination with Alameda County’s installation of an HOV lane on I-880 and the reconstruction of the Davis Street overpass.
To accommodate the planned roadway improvements, the City purchased 2139 Laura Avenue (from the bank which owned it) as additional right-of-way along Davis Street under the Project. Since 2012, the City has leased the property as rental housing while it awaited utilizing it as right of way. Recently, the City determined the property was no longer needed for the Project and right of way purposes.
The purpose of this sales transaction is to dispose of the City-owned property located at 2139 Laura Avenue. The property has been vacant since the end of January 2017, when the prior tenant vacated the rental. In late March, City staff received direction from City Council to begin the process of listing the property for sale as a single family residence. The City anticipates listing the property in mid- or end of May with an estimated close of escrow in July 2017.
LOCATION & LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Attachment A provides an aerial view of the property and the surrounding vicinity. Attachment B is the General Plan and Land Use Map of the subject property. The primary land use designation for the subject property and adjacent properties is “RL-Low Density Residential”. There is a small park across Warden Avenue but the majority of surrounding parcels are designated RL. Across Davis Street to the south of the property is Westgate Mall (designated IT or Industrial Transition) and further to the west is Costco (designated General Commercial).
The RL designation is a residential land use category which the General Plan identifies as permitting detached single family houses and “characterized by lots of 5,000 to 10,000 square feet.” The subject lot at 2139 Laura Avenue is approximately 6,000 square feet. “This is the predominant residential development type in San Leandro and includes most of the neighborhoods developed between 1925 and 1990.” Gross densities generally range from 3-6 units per acre, including streets and easements.
The property at 2139 Laura Ave is zoned Residential - Single Family (RS).
REQUIRED PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
Under Government Code Section 65402, the Planning Commission must find that the proposed disposition of property, in this instance, a sub-lease of the Property by the City, is in conformance with the General Plan. The sub-lease of the Property is consistent with the following policy of the 2035 General Plan:
• Policy LU-2.6: Preservation of Low Density Character
Preserve the low-density character of San Leandro’s predominantly single family neighborhoods.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The General Plan Conformity Finding is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, in that it is not a project as defined by CEQA.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This item was noticed by posting of the Planning Commission meeting agenda.
ATTACHMENTS
• Attachment A- Aerial Map of 2139 Laura Avenue (APN # 077A-0655-150-00)
• Attachment B- General Plan Land Use Map of 2139 Laura Avenue (APN # 077A-0655-150-00)
PREPARED BY: Tom Liao, Deputy Community Development Director, Community Development Department