City Council Moves to Vacate Controversial Sunrise Place Street

During a recent city council meeting, officials discussed a proposal for the vacation of Sunrise Place, a cul-de-sac that currently serves a single residential parcel. Judy Iguez, a city staff member, presented the proposal, which follows a recommendation from the city planning commission on April 11, 2024. The council is considering vacating the street, which spans approximately 11,390 square feet and is 40 feet wide.

Sunrise Place has been gated since 2012 to deter illegal dumping and other illicit activities. The street primarily provides access to one property, which is currently under construction for a single-family residence. The proposed vacation would reclassify the land use designation to hillside residential and change the zoning to residential conservation.

The future owner plans to repair the existing asphalt and install a new motorized security gate. Additionally, the project includes provisions for easements to allow neighboring properties to maintain their rear yards and for the city to access a waterline.

While the proposal has garnered some opposition from residents concerned about privatizing public assets, city staff argue that maintaining Sunrise Place is a financial burden. They emphasized that the street does not serve a public purpose, as it lacks pedestrian facilities and does not connect to any public amenities.

The council is expected to vote on the proposal, which staff recommend be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) due to its limited impact on surrounding properties and public welfare.