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Report regarding a resolution approving the grant of utility easement on City of South San Francisco property, APN 093-312-050, for the Civic Campus Phase 2: Library | Parks & Recreation and Community Theater/Council Chamber (pf2103 & pf2207) to Pacific Gas & Electric for electrical lines and related infrastructure and authorizing the City Manager to execute an easement deed to grant the easement. (Jacob Gilchrist, Director of Capital Projects)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the grant of utility easement on City of South San Francisco property, APN 093-312-050, for the Civic Campus Phase 2: Library | Parks & Recreation and Community Theater/Council Chamber project (pf2103 & pf2207) to Pacific Gas & Electric for electrical lines and related infrastructure and authorizing the City Manager to execute an easement deed to grant the easement.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Construction Notice to Proceed (“NTP”) was issued on December 21, 2020, for the construction of the Civic Campus Phase 2: Library | Park & Recreation and Community Theater/Council Chamber (“LPR”) project. The project is surrounded by El Camino Real, Chestnut Avenue, and Antoinette Lane and will be the future home to the Parks & Recreation Department, Orange Library, and Council Chamber and other related departments operating out of the Municipal Services Building (“MSB”). The over 80,000 square-foot facility is a three-level building that will include entrances from both Antoinette Lane and along El Camino Real. Approximately 1.3-acres are set aside for park and completion of Centennial Trail and will include playground areas for children of different ages. Large plaza areas are directly connected to the building, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor connection. The project is currently tracking to complete the second half of calendar year 2023.
As part of the project, utility services are necessary to provide power to the new facility. As the site was a former vacant lot, Pacific Gas & Electric (“PG&E”) does not have existing facilities that would be able to accommodate the new facility requirements. PG&E requests the City grant a utility easement to accommodate the installation of electrical lines and infrastructure for the facility. The infrastructure will be located on a City-owned parcel identified as APN 093-312-050 (“Property”). This easement request is typical of easements required by other utility providers whenever they are providing similar services as they own those systems. Responsibility for upkeep and maintenance of infrastructure is the responsibility of PG&E, up to the building’s electrical meter.
Attachment 1 included in this Staff Report highlights the overall location of the requested easement. The easement would run perpendicular to Antoinette Lane and directly into City property, and cut into property owned by BART under APN 093-331-170. City of South San Francisco has a current use permit from BART for the use of their property for purposes of construction, operation and maintenance of existing and future Bike Path/Linear Park improvements including the related construction/improvements necessary for the complete construction of LPR (Permit No. W-20.0-0014-SSF). PG&E will request a similar utility easement from BART to complete the installation of needed electrical service to LPR. Attachment 1 shows the proposed easement relative to the property and building footprint for the portion that crosses City-owned property.
At this time, the general location of the easement is shown but the final, exact location will be submitted and approved by the City. The City Manager will retain authority to authorize the final submittal of as-built easements for filing with the San Mateo County Recorder.
Staff has concluded that the location, purpose and extent of the proposed reservation of easement for Pacific Gas & Electric’s electrical lines and related infrastructure is in conformity with the City’s General Plan because (1) it fulfills the purpose of the Project and underlying land use of the General Plan; (2) the purpose of the Project is to facilitate the development of a public facility in accordance with the intent of the General Plan land use designation for a public facility; and (3) the amount of property being requested under easement is necessary to construct the project as proposed.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City evaluated the environmental impacts of the LPR project pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act (" CEQA"), and the City Council, as lead agency for purposes of CEQA, certified and adopted a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (" SEIR") at a duly noticed public hearing on December 13, 2017. The SEIR serves as the CEQA documentation for the City' s consideration and approval of the Project, and no additional CEQA review is required for the grant of the easement to PG&E.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional fiscal impact related to this easement.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN
This effort is included in the City’s Strategic Plan. It aligns with Priority #2 which is focused on enhancing quality of life.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the grant of utility easement on City of South San Francisco property, APN 093-312-050, for the Civic Campus Phase 2: Library | Parks & Recreation and Community Theater/Council Chamber (pf2103 & pf2207) to Pacific Gas & Electric for electrical lines and related infrastructure and authorizing the City Manager to execute an easement deed to grant the easement.
Attachment 1 - Overview Map of site and corresponding location of PG&E easement.