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6.3.A. - Page 1 <br /> RE PO RT <br /> To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> From the Cit Mana er <br /> February 6, 2012 <br /> SUBJECT <br /> Closure of Beech Street between Elm Street and Cedar Street for incorporation into <br /> Main Street Park <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> Adopt a Resolution closing a portion of Beech Street between Elm Street and Cedar <br /> Street to vehicular traffic, and incorporating this area into the City's Park system. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> The City`s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is currently designing <br /> a new downtown neighborhood Dog Park to serve the community. Main Street Park, an <br /> underutilized city property, is located at the intersection of Main and Beech Streets (1200 <br /> Block Main Street). The current park occupies approximately 9,000 square feet. The <br /> park is adjacent to a dead end portion of Beech Street between Elm Street and Cedar <br /> Street. This dead end portion of right of way is used for limited off street parking, and <br /> illegally parked vehicles. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> Main Street Park will function better if it is expanded. The adjacent dead-end portion of <br /> Beech Street will add approximately 7,000 square feet to the park. This portion of Beech <br /> Street became underutilized as a result of the Caltrain tracks cutting through Beech <br /> Street. <br /> Beech Street, at this location, is considered a local street, and has a 60-foot wide right- <br /> of-way dedicated to the City. The Streets and Highways Code section 21101 gives <br /> authority to the City to close a street to vehicle traffic by resolution when the street is no <br /> longer necessary for vehicle traffic. Staff has confirmed that keeping the street in its <br /> current condition is no longer necessary, and believes that the public would receive <br /> greater benefit if this area of right-of-way is incorporated into the neighboring park. The <br /> proposed closure is also in conformance with the City's General Plan. <br /> The designer for the new park will be able to use this area as a seating and picnic area <br /> with permeable pavers to replace the asphalt pavement. Natural grasses and a bioswale <br />