Committee backs sale of small PUC parcels in Niles Canyon to Caltrans for safety improvements

The Budget & Finance Committee unanimously recommended Nov. 9 that the full Board approve a resolution authorizing the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and the Director of Property to sell fee and easement interests in unimproved land along State Route 84 (Niles Canyon Road) to Caltrans. SFPUC staff said the conveyance would support Caltrans’ planned safety improvements and include a permanent utility easement to PG&E.

Tony Barto of SFPUC Real Estate described two fee parcels (Parcel 57 near Fremont and Parcel 65) and temporary construction easement areas. He said the parcels were deemed underutilized and that a government‑to‑government conveyance to Caltrans made a competitive bid process impractical. The SFPUC memo cited an appraisal updated in April 2022; the presentation read an appraised fair market value figure that appears truncated in the transcript (read as "$11,970"), and staff materials should be consulted for the full appraisal amount.

Committee members had no substantive questions and the item was forwarded to the full Board with a positive recommendation.

What’s next: The full Board will consider the resolution authorizing the sale and the PUC will finalize transaction documents if the Board approves.