REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution Ordering the Vacation of an Underground Electric Easement at 4880 Great America Parkway
Report
BACKGROUND
On November 13, 2013, the Architectural Committee approved the construction of a 170,689 SF office building (Project) at 4800-4900 Great America Parkway (Property) for The Sobrato Organization (Owner). The Project was conditioned to vacate the existing underground electric easement (SC15,092) on the Property as it conflicts with the new building footprint. A conditional building permit release was issued on August 1, 2014 to allow for the issuance of the building permit with the condition that the easement be vacated prior to the final building inspection or occupancy. For reasons unknown, the building permit was finalized, but the easement was not vacated. On September 29, 2025, the Owner reached out to the City to request the outstanding easement be vacated as a cleanup item for their property.
DISCUSSION
Due to the development of the Property, the existing Underground Electric Easement encumbering the Property has been determined to be excess and is no longer necessary. The Owner has requested that the City vacate the subject easement to clear this unnecessary encumbrance on the Property. Any relevant facilities previously within said easement have already been removed or abandoned. Silicon Valley Power, the only department that may have an interest in the easement concurs that the easement is eligible to be vacated. Staff has reviewed this proposal and found that the easement is no longer necessary for public purposes and therefore recommend that it be vacated pursuant to California Streets and Highways Code Section 8333(c).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The potential environmental impacts of the Project were addressed in the Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for the Project and was approved by the Architectural Committee on November 13, 2013.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional cost to the City other than staff time and expense.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and Silicon Valley Power.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Adopt a Resolution Ordering the Vacation of an Underground Electric Easement at 4880 Great America Parkway [APN 104-04-115 (2025-26)]; and
2. Authorize the Recordation of the Resolution.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution