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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.6 ArmyLandExchAlaCoCITY CLERK FILE # 420-20 AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: March 6, 2001 SUBJECT: Proposed U.S. Army Land Exchange with Alameda County Report Prepared by Richard C. Ambrose, City Manager ATTACHMENTS: 1) 2) 3) Proposed Land Exchange Boundary Map Draft Letter to Alameda County Board of Supervisors Draft Letter to Camp Parks Commander RECOMMENDATION:~/ 12~ Review Report' Authorize Mayor to execute the letter FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None at this time. DESCRIPTION: In the past, the City 'has discussed possible uses of Camp Parks property for City uses. The Army has indicated to the City that it did not have surplus land available for needed public uses (i.e., parks, roads, etc.). City Staff has been advised that the County of Alameda is negotiating a new land exchange with the U.S. Army. It is Staffs understanding that the preliminary provisions of the exchange would transfer 77 acres of the southern portion of Camp Parks to the Alameda County Surplus Property Authority, and the County would construct improvements on Camp Parks property for the Army which are equal to the value of the land. As shown in Attachment 1, the County anticipates that of the,total 77 acres to be transferred approximately 13.9 acres would be utilized for roadways and the balance of 62.1 acres would be available to develop. In a meeting City Staff attended on January 24, 2001-between the Army and the County, Army representatives indicated that they would expect the value of the land exchanged to be equivalent to land sales recently made by the County in which the County has proposed very dense development. The Army also made it clear that it had no responsibility for impacts created on City streets by the intensification of Camp Parks for public or private purposes. COPIES TO: G:\CC-MTGSx2001QTRI\MARCtt~3-6-01\as-army land exch.doc County Administrator Lt. Col. John Randolph ITEM NO. The land to be exchanged is currently zoned for agricultural use. If the land is exchanged for purposes of development by Alameda County, the land would be subject to the terms of the City's Annexation Agreement with Alameda County. Development of the land would require amendments to the General Plan, Specific Plan, Zoning Ordinance and environmental' review. The City is under n._9_o obligation to adopt such amendments or to approve any particular kind of land uses. Issues Related to Land Exchanges This potential land exchange has not been contemplated within the City's current General Plan. The infrastructure to serve the City's eastem area, including roads and public facilities, is not planned to accommodate development of an additional 62 acres. Significant study would be required to determine land uses for any Army property proposed for development. Staff is concerned that if the County consummates a land exchange with the Army and establishes a value for the land before planning entitlements are requested and processed, the City could ultimately approve land uses which would result in a lower value of the land than was assumed. This would put the "cart before the horse" in that the land values would be assumed before the Council establishes land uses. To avoid undue pressure to approve land use entitlements for the property at densities which may negatively impact City infrastructure and to protect County taxpayers from being negatively impacted,. Staff recommends the Council communicate these concerns to the County and the Army. RECOMMENDATION It is Staffs recommendation that the City Council authorize the Mayor to execute letters to the County and the Army opposing any further land exchanges with Alameda County or any other party unless the City of Dublin is included as an equal partner in the discussion, and the Army recognizes and takes responsibility for the impact on the local community in developing Army property. March 6, 2001 Board of Supervisors Alameda County 1221 Oak Street, Ste. 536 Oakland, CA 94612 SUBJECT: Proposed 77-Acre Land Exchange with U.S. Army at Camp Parks Honorable Board Members: It is our understanding that the County of Alameda has engaged in discussions with the U.S. Army for the purpose of negotiating a land exchange for 77 acres at Camp Parks within the City of Dublin. This land is currently zoned for agricultural uses and, if exchanged, would be subject to the terms of the City's Annexation Agreement with Alameda County. The development of the land would require amendments to the City's General Plan, Specific Plan, Zoning Ordinance and environmental review. The proposed land exchange has not been contemplated within the City' s current General Plan. The infrastructure to service the City's eastern area includes roads and public facilities which are not planned to accommodate development of this property. Significant study would be required to determine land uses for any property proposed for development. The City of Dublin is concemed that if Alameda County consummates a land exchange with the Army and establishes a value for the land before planning entitlements are requested and processed, the City could ultimately approve land uses which would result in a lower value of the land than was assumed, which would negatively impact County taxpayers. In addition, the City is concemed that development of this property at this time could negatively impact the City' s infrastructure. Given the City's concerns, the City opposes any further land exchanges between Alameda County and the Army at Camp Parks unless the City of Dublin is included as an equal parmer in the discussion and future land uses for the property are determined prior to such land exchange occurring. ATTACHMENT 2 The Dublin City Council would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter with you at your convenience. Sincerely, Guy S. Houston Mayor CC: Susan Muranishi, County Administrator Adolph Martinelli, Alameda County Community Development Agency Director Lt. Col. John Randolph, Commander, Camp Parks Dora Bachman, U.S. Army Reserve Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher G:\CC-MTGS~2001QTR 1XIVLARCI-1B -6-01 \att2-army I and exch. doe March 6, 2001 Lt. Col. John Randolph, Commander Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area Bldg. 790, 5th Street Dublin, CA 94568 RE: Proposed Land Exchange between U.S. Army and Alameda County Dear Lt. Col. Randolph: It is our understanding that the Army and the County of Alameda are currently pursuing a land exchange for approximately 77 acres of the southern portion of Camp Parks. The City of Dublin would like to express its serious opposition to this land exchange at this time. This potential land exchange has not been contemplated within the City' s current General Plan. The infrastructure to serve the City's eastem area includes roads and public facilities, which are not planned to accommodate development of this area to be exchanged with Alameda County. Significant study would be required to determine land uses for any Army property proposed for development. The land to be exchanged is currently zoned by the City for agricultural use. If the land is exchanged for purposes for development by Alameda County, the land would be subject to the terms of the City's Annexation Agreement with Alameda County. The terms of this agreement would require amendments to the City's General Plan, Specific Plan, Zoning Ordinance and environmental revieW. The City is under no obligation to adopt such amendments or approve any particular kind of land use other than the existing agriculturally-zoned use. As a result of our meeting of January 24, 2001, it is apparent that the Army has no intention to recognize or take responsibility for impacts on City streets and public facilities created by public or private development which occur on Camp Parks. It is also interesting to note that the City has, on several occasions, discussed the possibility of joint projects with the Army that would benefit the public. The Army's response has been there is no surplus land available, yet there seems to be surplus property available for purposes of private development. ATTACHMENT 3 It is, therefore, this City' s position that it will continue to oppose this land exchange with Alameda County unless the City of Dublin is included as an equal partner in the discussion of the future use of this property and the Army recognizes and takes responsibility for negative impacts created on the City's infrastructure as a result of pursuing such development. We look forward to resolving our concerns with you in the future. Sincerely, Guy S. Houston Mayor CO: Alameda County Board of Supervisors Susan Muranishi, County Administrator Adolph Martinelli, Community Development Agency Director Dorn Bachman, U.S. Army Reserve Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher G:\CC-MTGSX2001QTRIX. MARCHX3-6-01\att3-army land exch.doc