REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Resolution Ordering the Vacation of a Portion of a Public Utility Easement at 500 El Camino Real
Report
BACKGROUND
The President and Board of Trustees of Santa Clara College ("Owner") is currently in the process of constructing a 47,894 square-foot two-story student athletics building (Project) within the Santa Clara University Campus (Property) at 500 El Camino Real (main address). The Owner has proposed constructing the building within a portion of an existing public utility easement and requested that a portion of the public utility easement be vacated by the City. Staff has reviewed this proposal and did not find any concerns with the requested vacation provided that all applicable utility companies expressly consent to the vacation of the public utility easement and that the City Council approves the vacation. On March 6, 2019, the City's Architectural Committee approved the Owner's Project.
DISCUSSION
To clear the specific encumbrance on the Property, the Owner now requests that the City vacate a specific portion of the public utility easement. Silicon Valley Power, the Water & Sewer Utilities Department and AT&T, several of the agencies having an interest in the easement, have agreed to the vacation. The Owner is in the process of obtaining the final consent letter from PG&E, agreeing to the vacation.
During regular Project coordination meetings, the Owner has expressed a concern about the timing of the PG&E final consent letter and the Owner's ability to obtain building permits and commence construction as soon as possible. Until the public utility easement is vacated, construction of the building is not allowed within the subject easement area. This Project is currently being reviewed by the City for issuance of building permits, and due to delays from PG&E regarding obtaining the final consent letter staff is moving this forward in an effort to facilitate the Project and support the Project schedul...
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