Title
Staff Report for a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate the Sale of, and the Purchase and Sale Agreement for 2015 Laura Avenue (APN 077-0655-144-01)
Staffreport
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate the sale of the property located at 2015 Laura Avenue and to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement if an interested party comes forward with an acceptable offer.
BACKGROUND
The City acquired the property located at 2015 Laura Avenue in 2009 to accommodate the widening of Davis Street and to install a park on the remainder of the parcel. At the time, the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency, now the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC), planned for the installation of a southbound HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane on I-880. The reconstruction of the Davis Street overpass for this project would have required the widening of Davis Street to the north, impacting some of the Laura Avenue properties, including this property. In addition, there was a laundry business operating at 2015 Laura Avenue, which was an unlawful use of property under the zoning code. The City contacted the property owner who expressed an interest in removing the tenant from the site and selling the property to the City.
After the tenant relocated to another location in the city and the City successfully negotiated for the purchase of the property, the City acquired the site. In the months afterward, the Alameda CTC's plans for the widening of Davis Street changed, moving the roadway south to the Caltrans right of way near Timothy Drive. The property along Laura Avenue was therefore no longer needed by the City for the widening of Davis Street. In addition, neighborhood meetings made it clear that the neighbors did not want a park in the area. Therefore, the City no longer has a use or need for this property.
Analysis
The City did not previously place the property for sale because of the depressed real estate market. However, the City has been contacted by interested parties who would like to acquire the property, and staff believes that it is a good time to consider offers.
Any proposed uses of the property will be subject to zoning restrictions. The property is zoned low-density residential, but some uses may be allowed under a Conditional Use Permit, such as a day care center. The property had operated as a grocery store for a number of years prior to being converted to its most recent use as a laundry service.
Finally, the building at the site continues to deteriorate and the City continues to expend resources maintaining the building. In the near future, it may become necessary for the City to incur the additional cost of tearing it down. Before this happens, it would be prudent for the City to consider offers by parties interested in acquiring the property.
Previous Actions
On April 19, 2012, the Planning Commission found that the sale of the property would be in conformance with the City's General Plan.
Committee Review and Actions
The Facilities and Transportation Committee recommended that the City Council authorize this action at its meeting on April 10, 2012.
Applicable General Plan Policies
Pursuant to Government Code section 65402, the Planning Commission found that the proposed sale of the subject property by the City is in conformance with the General Plan.
Environmental Review
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Board/Commission Review and Actions
· The Planning Commission, at its meeting on April 19, 2012, determined that the disposal of this property is in conformance with the General Plan.
· The Facilities and Transportation Committee, at its meeting on April 10, 2012, recommended that the City Council authorize the sale of the property.
Legal Analysis
This action and the process by which the property will be sold has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.
Fiscal Impacts
Revenue will be generated from the sale for the General Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
PREPARED BY: Tara Peterson, Administrative Services Manager, Engineering and Transportation Department