That the City Council:

A.  Approve a Purchase and Sales Agreement between the City of La Habra and Vishnu A. Patel and Rita V. Patel, Trustees, of the Patel Family Trust dated May 31, 2007, for the purchase of property located at 222 South Euclid Street (Assessor’s Parcel Number 022-174-08) in the amount of $205,000; and

B.  Approve the appropriation of $210,000 from General Fund land acquisition reserves to fund the Purchase and Sales Agreement between the City of La Habra and Vishnu A. Patel and Rita V. Patel, Trustees, of the Patel Family Trust dated May 31, 2007 for the purchase of the subject property and related escrow fees; and

C.  Authorize the City Manager to sign all related documents for the purchase; and

D.  APPROVE AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ____ ENTITLED:  A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA HABRA APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF 222 SOUTH EUCLID STREET FROM VISHNU A. PATEL AND RITA V. PATEL, TRUSTEES, UNDER THE PATEL FAMILY TRUST DATED MAY 31, 2007.

The project was reviewed pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 1506(b)(3) "Review of Exemption of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines," because the purchase of the Property will have no significant effect on the environment.  Further environmental review will be conducted before the start of any construction.

The City of La Habra (City) desires to purchase the property located at 222 South Euclid Street (Property).  The property is owned by the Patel Family Trust and has been listed for sale several times over the past two years. The 4,275 square foot undeveloped property is located on the northeast corner of Euclid Street and Second Avenue across from Brio Park.  Since the splash pad amenity was added to Brio Park in 2020, the acquisition of the Property will allow the City the opportunity to provide additional offsite parking to serve Brio Park, as well as support special events that are routinely scheduled at Portola Park or on Euclid Street.
If approved by City Council, the City will enter into the Purchase and Sales Agreement to acquire the subject Property for $205,000.  The City will initially deposit $10,000 into an escrow account with Orange Coast Title to fund escrow, purchase and closing costs.  Escrow is expected to close by March 30, 2021.  

The City recognizes the benefit provided to the community by the purchase of this property, namely the expansion of common recreation spaces within residential zones.  Staff has determined that the use of the property is for the common benefit of the City in compliance with Government Code Section 37350 et seq.

In accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 65402, the City of La Habra Planning Commission considered the purchase of the Property at a regularly scheduled meeting on December 14, 2020, and determined the purchase of the Property is consistent with the General Plan and Zoning Code.

The cost to purchase the Property is $205,000.  Escrow and title fees will be approximately $5,000.  There are sufficient dedicated General Fund reserves set aside for land acquisition to appropriate funding for the purchase of the subject property and to pay for the City's portion of escrow and title fees.

LU 2.5 Places Supporting the Quality of Life