Laserfiche WebLink
6.C. - Page 16 of 29 <br />S. Environmental Review. <br />The acquisition of real property by a public agency is a project within the <br />meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act. Sometimes, <br />however, an acquisition by the City will be exempt from the requirements <br />of CEQA (for example, purchases for open space). In any event, the <br />Community Development Department should be consulted to ensure <br />that the appropriate environmental review is conducted and that any <br />necessary environmental documentation is completed prior to a decision <br />to acquire the parcel. <br />6. Preliminary Engineering Work. <br />Preliminary engineering work should be done to compute the area of the <br />parcel, ascertain the property interest(s) to be acquired (fee, easement, <br />lease, etc.), and provide the necessary description(s). <br />7. Preliminary Title Report. <br />For purchases, a preliminary title report for the parcel should be obtained <br />so that the City is aware of any possible liens or encumbrances on the <br />property, and other exception to title, and to determine the owners of <br />record in order to ascertain the correct parties to the acquisition <br />agreement. In most instances, a final title report and title insurance <br />policy will be obtained at a later stage of the process. <br />8. Hazardous Materials. <br />In certain cases, it may be necessary to retain an environmental firm to <br />perform a preliminary assessment of the parcel and prepare appropriate <br />documentation, including Phase 1 and, if applicable, Phase 2 <br />environmental assessments, regarding the existence (and nature and <br />extent) of any possible hazardous materials on the site or other <br />environmental contamination. If such substances are detected, required <br />clean-up costs and mitigation measures must be studied and quantified. <br />These steps are particularly important when a building or property has <br />been occupied for a purpose which might have involved the storage, use <br />or disposal of hazardous or toxic materials. In addition, discovery of <br />hazardous materials may trigger a duty to disclose such information to <br />the County Board of Supervisors within 72 hours pursuant to Cal. Health <br />& Safety Code s. 25180.7. <br />ATTY/POLICIES/PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION PROCEDURES FINAL <br />REV: 09-16-13 PT <br />Page 10 of 22 <br />40 <br />