HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - VIA PRINCESSA LACO AGMT (2)Agenda Item:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by: Christopher Price
DATE: July 12, 2005
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR
THE REALIGNMENT OF VIA PRINCESSA PARKWAY
DEPARTMENT: Building and Engineering
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the acknowledgement that the County of Los Angeles will not be
responsible for the maintenance of the Via Princessa Parkway Extension, and that the County of
Los Angeles will be held harmless by the City of Santa Clarita from claims that may be
associated with the Via Princessa Parkway Extension.
BACKGROUND
On January 24, 2002, City Council approved the Golden Valley Ranch development and directed
Pardee Homes (Developer) to relocate Via Princessa Parkway 250 feet to the west. This
realignment project will reduce potential environmental impact to elements, such as the
numerous oak trees in and around the project area. This new location was evaluated after careful
consideration, and was determined to be the only viable alternative alignment for Via Princessa
Parkway, as a further shift to the east would have impacted existing homes, and a further shift to
the west would have impacted existing homes and a park.
The project area is located at the southern terminus of Via Princessa Parkway in the Fair Oaks
Ranch development in the County of Los Angeles (County). This area is currently owned and
maintained by the Fair Oaks Homeowners Association (HOA) and is undeveloped open space.
The surrounding uses to the west, north, and east, include open space areas, a park, and
single-family homes. To the south is the Golden Valley Ranch development within the City's
boundary. The existing portion of Via Princessa Parkway is north of the project area to State
Route 14 and the remaining portions outside of the present project will be constructed as part of
the Golden Valley Ranch development.
The realignment condition requires the construction of Via Princessa Parkway as a four -lane
secondary highway with an 80 -foot right-of-way at the northern end of the project area and
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widening to a 92 -foot right-of-way at the City's boundary. This was anticipated as part of the
Golden Valley Ranch development. The difference in width is due to the City's greater
requirement for secondary highway widths. Both sides of the street will have sidewalks and
parkway trees. No structures or uses will be constructed and the remaining project area will be
preserved as open space. The Developer is required to fund and construct the roadway, as well as
plant all landscaping, including medians, parkways, and graded slopes. The Golden Valley
Ranch development will also be responsible for all roadway, median, and parkway landscape
maintenance, whether directly or through assessment fees. Per the California Vehicle Code,
speed limits will be established once the road is open to regular traffic and an Engineering and
Traffic Survey has been performed.
On February 22, 2005, the Fair Oaks HOA and Pardee Homes reached a private party action
settlement agreement conveying the subject property to the City. The right to construct the
roadway has since been conveyed to Pardee Homes.
A total of 7.94 acres is necessary to construct the realigned Via Princessa Parkway extension,
with 1.55 acres for the roadway right-of-way, 4.93 acres for permanent slope and flood control
easements, and 1.46 acres for temporary easements for vehicle storage and access. The
temporary easements will revert back to the Fair Oaks HOA, once the roadway is constructed.
None of the permanent easements will impact the park or single-family dwellings in Fair Oaks
Ranch.
The settlement agreement was a private party action negotiated between the Fair Oaks HOA and
Pardee Homes. The City's role was to encourage the parties to meet and reach an agreement.
The City did not review, approve, or sign the final settlement agreement. Approval of this
acknowledgement letter will render to the City the same responsibilities over this small portion
of road (outside of the City's boundary) that would naturally occur upon acceptance of the
remainder of public streets within the Golden Valley Ranch development.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City's Landscape Maintenance District (LMD) will maintain medians and parkways with
funds from a bond placed by Pardee Homes. The Golden Valley Ranch HOA or Fair Oaks HOA
will maintain the landscaped slopes. The City will eventually have the responsibility for
maintenance of the roadway and its associated improvements within the public right-of-way,
even though this small project area will remain in the unincorporated limits of Los Angeles
County. This is consistent with the remainder of improvements proposed within the Golden
Valley Ranch development inside the City's boundary.
ATTACHMENTS
Acknowledgement of Unilateral Indemnification Via Princessa