Transportation Commission approves resolution of necessity for SR 12 safety project after property-owner objections

The California Transportation Commission on March 5 approved a resolution of necessity to proceed with a safety project on State Route 12 that adds eight-foot paved shoulders and left-turn pockets at three public intersections, after hearing objections from a nearby property owner who asked for a left-turn pocket onto his private access.

Caltrans staff, represented to the commission by Stephen Maller, summarized the legal limits of the hearing: “Under eminent domain law, a property owner whose property is under consideration of condemnation has the right to appear before the commission to question 3 and only 3 issues,” Maller said, listing “public interest,” “planning and location compatible with greatest public good and least private injury,” and “necessity of the property sought to be condemned.”

Why it matters: The commission’s action clears a statutory step required to begin right-of-way work for the SR 12 safety package in the Rio Vista area, while staff and local officials continue to seek a compromise that addresses the owner’s safety concerns without using state funds for private benefit.

Caltrans district staff described the department’s position and the alternatives discussed with property owner Robert Caddy. Bijan Sartipi, Caltrans district director for the area, told the commission the department’s traffic studies and field observations “noted no congestion or operational problems that would warrant a left turn pocket at Caddy Lane.” Sartipi said building a left-turn pocket onto a private driveway would likely violate the state constitution’s ban on gifting public funds (California Constitution, Article XVI, Section 6). He described two alternatives Caltrans offered: widening and signing for improved safety, or prohibiting left turns at Caddy Lane while extending and improving an existing gravel access to Azovita Road to provide an alternate route.

Assemblymember Jim Frazier, speaking as a constituent and a member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, supported the safety improvements and the addition of signs; he noted recent crash records for the corridor and asked the commission to seek a solution that preserves the project schedule. Robert Caddy, the property owner, said he supported the overall roadway safety work but objected to removal of direct left-turn access and said converting Caddy Lane to a county-maintained public road — a solution he said he and his tenants support and could facilitate by donating right-of-way and assuming maintenance — would be preferable to a gravel bypass that he described as costly, impractical and crossing utility easements.

Local officials urged a practical outcome. Rio Vista Mayor Norman Richardson said the project is important to his city and expressed concern about a proposal that could disrupt circulation for residents and firefighters; Daryl Hals, executive director of the Solano Transportation Authority, said Solano County, Caltrans and the city had been working together and urged Caltrans to move the safety project forward while continuing coordination.

The commission approved staff’s recommendation to adopt the resolution of necessity and allow the department to proceed with project delivery while continuing negotiations and the alternative-access discussions. The motion passed on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: Caltrans will proceed with right-of-way and construction steps required for the SR 12 safety project while working with Solano County and the property owner on the two alternatives discussed — extending the gravel road to Azovita Road or seeking county acceptance of Caddy Lane as a public road, which could clear the path for a left-turn pocket at public expense if the county takes jurisdiction.

Votes at the meeting: The commission approved the resolution of necessity by voice vote; the transcript records the motion as passed with “Aye” votes and no named dissent.