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AGENDA REPORT
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| | | | | | | | DATE:
| January 19, 2021
| TO:
| Mayor and City Council
| FROM:
| Stefan T. Chatwin, City Manager
| | SUBJECT: | Resolution 2021-15 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Approving a Relocation Agreement between the City of Fairfield and Clear Channel Outdoor, LLC. Related to Billboard Relocation in Conjunction with Widening of Interstate 80
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| | | | | | | | | RECOMMENDED ACTION | | Adopt resolution. |
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| | | | | | | | | STATEMENT OF ISSUE | | The Solano Transportation Authority is managing a widening project for Interstate 80 as a part of the larger I-80, I-680, Highway 12 Interchange Project. Three billboards need to be acquired and demolished as a part of the project. The proposed Relocation Agreement allows for the relocation of one billboard and the replacement of two billboards with one digital billboard. |
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| | | | | | | | | DISCUSSION | For more than a decade, the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) has worked with the California Department of Transportation to reconstruct the interchanges of Interstate 80, I-680 and Highway 12. The project involves multiple phases over the next decade plus to complete. A first phase was completed several years ago. STA is now embarking on the next phase of the project. This phase involves widening of I-80 on its south side, between I-680 and Highway 12. As a part of this phase, STA is acquiring additional right-of-way (“ROW”) for I-80. Three printed billboards, owned by Clear Channel, LLC. (“CCO”) currently exist within the ROW, and must be removed as a part of the widening. STA filed eminent domain actions in Solano County Superior Court to acquire the billboards and the easements they occupy. If the eminent domain process proceeds, STA must provide just compensation to CCO, using taxpayer funds, for the lost revenues from the three billboards.
The proposed Relocation Agreement (“Agreement”) between the City and CCO provides an alternative that avoids STA’s need to compensate CCO. Under the Agreement, the City authorizes relocation and reconstruction of one of the billboards to a nearby location. It also allows relocation of two other billboards, reconstructed as a digital sign, on another nearby property. The relocation actions are authorized under the City’s Sign Ordinance, which was amended in 2020 to facilitate such relocation and reconstruction.
Key terms of the Agreement include:
• Relocation and reconstruction of one double-sided 19’x48’ printed billboard from the Ashley Furniture property to a parcel just to the west. The relocated sign has the same dimensions as the existing sign. Height is allowed up to 65 feet to ensure visibility for the sign, which is otherwise partially screened by the Ashley Furniture building in its new location.
• Relocation of two double-sided 14’x48’ printed billboards west of Ashley Furniture to a parcel on the east side of Ashley Furniture, and reconstructed as a 20’x60’ double-sided digital billboard. Height is allowed up to 75 feet to ensure visibility in its new location.
• Annual payments to the City of $50,000 for the first ten years, with 12% increase every five years afterwards. Funds would be deposited into the City’s General Fund.
In total, the project results in fewer billboards in the City (two instead of three), and reduces the total square footage of billboard sign faces by 288 square feet.
Because the printed billboard relocation replaces the existing with a similar structure, no further approvals are needed prior to CCO applying for building permits. The digital billboard, however, requires design approval by Planning Commission first, as it is a different design from current. Designs for the digital billboard are not yet finalized.
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| | | | | | | | | FINANCIAL IMPACT | Under proposed terms of the Relocation Agreement, CCO will pay the City $50,000 each year for the first ten years. The Agreement includes an inflator that increases the annual payment by 12% every five years thereafter. Funds would be deposited into the City’s General Fund.
In addition, the Solano Transportation Authority does not need to use taxpayer funds to condemn the three existing billboards, saving project costs.
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| | | | | | | | | PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION | N/A
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| | | | | | | | | ALTERNATIVE ACTION | | The City Council could choose to not approve the Relocation Agreement |
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| | | | | | | | | STAFF CONTACT | Dave Feinstein, Planning Division Manager
(707) 428-7448
dfeinstein@fairfield.ca.gov
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| | | | | | | | | COORDINATED WITH | City Attorney's Office
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| REVIEWERS: | | Reviewer | Action | Date | | Feinstein, David | Approved | 1/7/2021 - 2:03 PM | | Answerer | Approved | 1/7/2021 - 3:16 PM | | Feinstein, David | Approved | 1/7/2021 - 3:23 PM | | Alexander, Amber | Approved | 1/7/2021 - 5:19 PM | | Alexander, Amber | Approved | 1/7/2021 - 5:20 PM |
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