TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution closing to vehicular traffic a portion of the public alley known as Alta Way, west of Linden Avenue. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
The East Village Association, a community stakeholder in the East Village Art District, is interested in converting a little-used alley in the East Village Art District to a pedestrian passage in the interest of community greening. Unused and deteriorated alley paving would be removed and replaced with a sustainable, naturally draining walkable path and plantings that beautify, shade, and soften the urban landscape. This alley portion, shown on the attachment, does not provide vehicular access to any adjacent property.
Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21101(a)(1), local authorities may adopt rules and regulations closing any street or alley in its jurisdiction to vehicular traffic when, in the opinion of the legislative body having jurisdiction, the street or alley is no longer needed for vehicular traffic. The City adopted such rules and regulations in 1997 with Resolution No. C-26191, providing that public park and/or recreational use is a valid justification for closure to vehicular use.
Findings must establish that the subject portion of right-of-way is unnecessary for vehicular use. The Department of Public Works supports this action based on the following evidence, facts, conditions and findings establishing that the alley to be closed is not needed for vehicular traffic:
This 10-foot wide portion of alley right-of-way does not provide vehicular access to any parcel. The private property on the north is improved as a parking lot that takes access both from Linden Avenue and from the adjacent north-south alley. A zero set-back commercial building on the south also takes access both from Linden Avenue (entrance) from the adjacent north-south alley (parking). The interested City departments, including Fire and Police, have reviewed the proposed closure to vehicular traffic and have no objections to this action.
The alley portion to be closed to vehicular use will remain open for public pedestrian use. The improvements to this pedestrian way will be provided and maintained by the East Village Association, under the oversight of the Department of Public Works.
The subject action is reversible. If it is determined, due to future land development (or any other reason), that the subject alley would better serve the public as a vehicular way than a pedestrian way, vehicular traffic can be restored by unilateral City Council action.
In conformance with the California Environmental Quality Act, Categorical Exemption No. CE 11-047 was issued for this project.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on July 14, 2011, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 27, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The East Village Association would like to complete this project by January 2012. Adoption of the subject resolution on August 16, 2011 will enable the Department of Public Works to review and approve plans and oversee the construction of pedestrian path-enhancing landscaping.
FISCAL IMPACT
This project is funded by the East Village Association, with no impact to the General Fund or any other City funds. There will be no local jobs impacted by this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH CLOSING TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC A PORTION OF AN ALLEY KNOWN AS ALTA WAY, WEST OF LINDEN AVENUE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER