HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformational Item Sandcastles Assessment DistrictCITY OF PALM DESERT
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Informational Item Concerning the Sandcastles Assessment District
SUBMITTED BY: Martin Alvarez, Senior Management Analyst
DATE: January 12, 2006
CONTENTS: District Map & Photographs
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to send a resident survey to
determine if a majority of the residents favor of a modification to the assessment, if the
City renovates the district. If survey results are positive, staff would return to the City
Council for authorization to proceed with a formal district balloting and renovation of the
district.
Background:
Per the City Council's request, staff has researched options to address the condition of
the perimeter landscaping within the Sandcastles Assessment District. The district is
located at the northeast corner of Hovley Lane East and Carlotta Drive (see district map
attached). This report contains the background on the district's formation and
maintenance, the options available to address the perimeter landscaping, and a
recommendation.
The Sandcastles Assessment District consists of 41 single-family units formed under
the County of Riverside's jurisdiction to maintain the subdivision's street lighting. The
City of Palm Desert annexed this area in 1989 and the district's administration was
transferred to the City.
The City Attorney recently reviewed this issue, and determined that the City is
responsible for the maintenance of these areas. The City owns the landscaping areas
and our Property Maintenance Ordinance does not require property owners to maintain
areas they do not directly have frontage on.
The district's perimeter landscaping consists of a six-foot planter with unmaintained turf
and bare dirt along Hovley Lane East. The Carlotta Drive frontage consists of palm
trees, lantana, and oleanders within a four -foot planter (see photographs attached).
The resident's irrigation systems currently provide water to these areas. Over the
Sandcastles Assessment District
Page 2 of 3
January 12, 2006
years, the residents adjacent to the subdivision's perimeter have periodically maintained
the landscaping.
Options:
The following options are available to the City and residents to address the condition of
the Sandcastles perimeter landscaping.
Option No. 1: Leave landscaping as is and have the City provide periodic
maintenance.
This option consists of leaving the perimeter landscaping in its current condition, and
having the City provide maintenance on an as needed basis. A new water meter would
have to be installed and three street intersections would have to be saw -cut to
consolidate the irrigation into one system. The cost to install a new meter and
consolidate the irrigation is approximately $15,000.
Option No. 2: Renovate the District to include decomposed granite, boulders with
the existing palm trees.
This option cleans up the frontages and removes all high water use plants. New
decomposed granite and boulders would be installed and the existing palm trees would
be maintained. The irrigation system would be consolidated to run on one meter. The
cost to renovate the frontages is approximately $25,000. The maintenance would
consist of periodic litter pick up and weed removal.
Option No. 3: Propose a modification the to assessment district levy to include
the maintenance and utility costs of the perimeter landscaping.
Since an assessment district is currently in place, the City could return to the residents
and propose a modification of the annual levy to include the maintenance and utilities
for the perimeter landscaping. This would require a property owner ballot, and approval
from the majority of the residents.
If the residents chose to reassess themselves for the landscaping maintenance, the City
could provide the renovation of the landscaping to include water efficient landscaping
and irrigation. The cost to renovate the district is estimated at $54,000.
Sandcastles Assessment District
Page 3 of 3
January 12, 2006
Recommendation:
Staff recommends Option No. 3. An informal resident survey would be sent to
determine if a majority of the residents favor of a modification to the assessment, if the
City renovates the district. If survey results are positive, staff would return to the City
Council for authorization to proceed with the district balloting proceedings and
renovation of the district.
Submitted By: Approval:
GMartin Alvarez r Homer Croy
Senior Management Analyst
Approval:
ACM for Development Services
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