Sunnyvale City Council approves sale of 11,000 square foot parcel to Valley Water

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on a resolution regarding the sale of a city-owned property to the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The meeting began with a detailed presentation by Tony Barto from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), outlining the specifics of the proposed sale of an 11,000 square foot parcel located near Manzano Way in Sunnyvale, California.

The resolution seeks to authorize the sale of the property for $33,000, which has been deemed surplus land under California law. Barto explained that the property is currently underutilized and has no utility use for the PUC. The sale is considered necessary to avoid the costs and complications associated with potential eminent domain litigation, as Valley Water has the authority to compel the sale for its operational needs.

The PUC's appraisal of the property, conducted by an independent firm, confirmed its market value at $33,000, a figure that has remained consistent since the initial appraisal in February 2021. The resolution also includes provisions for the city of Sunnyvale to maintain a concrete ramp structure on the property under a new agreement with Valley Water.

After the presentation, the committee opened the floor for public comments, but no members of the public chose to speak on the matter. Following this, a motion was made to forward the resolution to the full board with a positive recommendation. The motion passed unanimously with three votes in favor.

In summary, the meeting concluded with a clear path forward for the sale of the property, emphasizing the city's commitment to efficient land use and collaboration with local agencies. The next steps will involve presenting the resolution to the full board for final approval.