Southeast Greenway Easement Agreement
Summary
SCH Number
2024060160
Public Agency
Sonoma County Water Agency
Document Title
Southeast Greenway Easement Agreement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/6/2024
Document Description
The Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) would execute an easement agreement with the City of Santa Rosa (City) to secure property rights for the existing Spring Creek Bypass flood control infrastructure and for a future reliability water transmission pipeline. The project would also allow the General Manager to execute an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with City, in a form approved by County Counsel and to amend these agreements, if needed, to meet future project needs. The land was previously owned by the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and was intended to continue Highway 12 from Farmers Lane to connect Highway 12 near Spring Lake Park. In August 2014, Caltrans rescinded the property’s freeway designation, creating the opportunity for Caltrans to transfer the property for other public uses. The rescinded State Route 12 is currently undeveloped and owned by the City. The City, along with several partners, intends to develop the property, known as the Southeast Greenway Project, for several public uses, including a linear park with multi-use paths, picnic areas and playgrounds, and community gathering places. The existing Spring Creek bypass flood control infrastructure was constructed, operated, and maintained under an encroachment permit from Caltrans on State Route Highway 12. This agreement would secure the fee easement over the existing alignment. The agreement would also secure fee easement for a future reliability water transmission pipeline alignment within the Southeast Greenway Project area that would be subject to future evaluation under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Contact Information
Name
Connie Barton
Agency Name
Sonoma County Water Agency
Job Title
Senior Environmental Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Santa Rosa
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Citywide, Northern California
Other Location Info
The project is located between Mayette Avenue and Hoen Avenue and follows a 1.9-mile linear path from Farmers Lane/Highway 12 to Spring Lake Park, Santa Rosa, California.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301(b), Existing Facilities; 15061(b)(3) Common Sense Exemption
Reasons for Exemption
The execution of the agreement for acquisition of the easement would allow Sonoma Water to secure property rights for the existing Spring Creek Bypass flood control infrastructure and for a future reliability water transmission pipeline. Execution of the agreement for acquisition of fee easement for the existing Spring Creek Bypass flood control infrastructure has no possibility of having a significant effect on the environment. There would be no expansion of use beyond that currently existing. Project activities for the future reliability water transmission pipeline would be subject to future evaluation under CEQA. The project would not result in any significant adverse effect on the environment.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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