Committee backs quitclaim of public utility easement at 112 Kensington Way

The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Sept. 8 to forward an ordinance to the full board recommending the summary vacation of a public service easement at 112 Kensington Way and the city’s quitclaim of its interest to Kevin Jenkins and Lalita Chandrasekhar for $20,000.

The ordinance, presented by Department of Real Estate staff, would affirm the Planning Department's CEQA determination, adopt findings that the action is consistent with the general plan and the eight priority policies in Planning Code section 101.1, and authorize related official acts spelled out in the ordinance text.

Department staff said the easement is a narrow strip of access historically obtained to provide sewer lines for a proposed housing development that was never built. No improvements were installed, the Public Utilities Commission and Recreation and Parks Department have determined they no longer need the easement, and staff recommended the quitclaim to clear title and allow the current owners to build. The presenter described the parcel as an empty lot and said the proposed conveyance is intended to “make their ownership clean.”

There was no public comment on the item. Chair Mirna Melgar offered the motion to recommend the ordinance to the full board; Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen and Supervisor Bridal Mahmood seconded and voted aye. The clerk recorded three ayes and the committee sent the ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation.

The committee record shows the transaction amount of $20,000 and the property address, but staff did not report any additional conditions or outstanding city obligations that would remain after the quitclaim. The Planning Code citation listed in the item is section 101.1.