COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

 

DATE:

March 23, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 18, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Application to the Local Agency Formation Commission - Annexation of Portions of Skyline Boulevard to the Town of Hillsborough; and a Resolution Approving Zero Tax Exchanges for Annexations Involving Only Roadway Areas

 

Recommendation

Adopt resolutions:

 
 

1)

a)

requesting the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to take proceedings for a minor sphere of influence amendment to facilitate the annexation of a portion of Skyline Boulevard at its intersection with Summit Drive, and at its intersection with Chateau Drive to the Town of Hillsborough; and

 
   

b)

authorizing the Director of Public Works to sign any necessary applications or other documents as may be necessary to process the proposed amendment and annexation; and

 
 

2)

approving zero tax exchanges pursuant to Section 99 et. seq. of the Revenue and Taxation Code for annexations of roadways where no property taxes are involved.

 

Vision Alignment

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: County employees understand, support and integrate the County visions and goals into their delivery of services.

 

The proposed annexation will result in these intersections lying entirely within one jurisdiction and allow a single entity to enforce traffic regulations in this area.

 

Background

Skyline Boulevard was realigned in conjunction with the construction of Interstate 280 by the State of California. This realignment resulted in the above-described intersections lying partially within the Town of Hillsborough and partially within the unincorporated area.

 

Discussion

 

Annexation

Hillsborough recently contacted us regarding the installation of a Town entrance marker at Skyline Boulevard and Summit Drive. We recommended that the Town annex the road area in lieu of entering an agreement with the County to construct and install the marker, as the marker may also necessitate the installation of stop signs if it impairs the stopping sight distance for motorists at this location. Town staff agreed that annexing the area is appropriate, and also agreed that the intersection of Chateau Drive should also be completely within their corporate limits. Neither portions of the two intersections that currently lie in the unincorporated area are included in Hillsborough’s sphere of influence and therefore a minor amendment to Hillsborough’s sphere will be necessary in order to facilitate the proposed annexations.

 

Zero Tax Exchange

Section 99 et. seq. of the Revenue and Taxation Code requires the entities involved in an annexation to present resolutions to LAFCO indicating their agreement to the exchange of property taxes associated with an annexation, prior to LAFCO taking any action on the annexation, even though no property taxes are involved. We are recommending that your Board adopt a “blanket" resolution agreeing to a zero tax exchange for this and future similar annexations involving only roadway areas in order to “stream line” the process.

 

Resolutions have been approved as to form by County Counsel.

 

Fiscal Impact

The cost of applying to LAFCO for the sphere of influence change and the annexation is $1,045; and the cost of processing the boundary change by the State Board of Equalization is $300. These costs are proposed to be paid for with Road Funds and will be offset in the future by anticipated annual maintenance costs savings of approximately $2,900 per year to the Road Fund. This estimate is based on 0.15 miles of road being annexed to the Town and an average cost of $19,500 per mile per year to maintain the County road system.

 

There is no impact to the General Fund.