Council directs staff to pursue potential vacation of Bonita Avenue frontage near Gaffney

The San Dimas City Council voted 5–0 to direct staff to begin the formal process to consider vacating a portion of public right‑of‑way along Bonita Avenue near Gaffney Avenue adjacent to properties at 542 and 554 East Bonita.

Steve Barragan, the city’s engineering manager, said the right‑of‑way originates with tract map No. 17730 (recorded 1954) and the city currently holds a public roadway easement. Barragan told the council staff has no objection to moving forward with a vacation study and that if the right‑of‑way is ultimately vacated the city would be relieved of ongoing maintenance responsibilities such as street sweeping and drainage repairs. He estimated approximately $10,000 of immediate city funds could be needed to address drainage concerns if no vacation occurs.

Barragan said the action tonight would authorize the required diligence (utility coordination, design review), planning commission consideration, and a public hearing before council; actual vacation would require the statutory notice and findings and would return for final council action. Councilmember comments were brief and supportive of staff’s recommendation.

The motion authorizes staff and the property owners to proceed with the required review and formal process; it does not itself approve vacating the easement.