State OKs condemnation for 37 parcels for high-speed rail in Fresno, Madera
“About three dozen pieces of property in Fresno and Madera counties were targeted for condemnation Friday by the state Public Works Board to make way for high-speed rail construction.
The Public Works Board, comprised of the heads of the state’s Finance, General Services and Transportation departments, adopted resolutions of necessity declaring a public need for 36 parcels in Fresno and one in Madera. The resolutions — the first step toward condemnation or eminent domain — amount to less than 32 acres, mostly in portions of property rather than entire parcels.
The board oversees land acquisition for transportation, highway and other public building projects in the state. The resolutions adopted Friday are aimed at providing land needed by the California High-Speed Rail Authority between Madera and the south end of Fresno for the first 29-mile construction segment of the statewide rail project. Originally, 38 resolutions, were to be considered, but five of them were pulled from the agenda.
The state has already made formal written offers to each of the property owners, according to a staff report to the board. “Negotiations to acquire the property have been unsuccessful to date,” the report added, “thereby precipitating the need to adopt a resolution of necessity to authorize the use of eminent domain.”
The unanimous vote brings to 79 the number of resolutions adopted by the board since December 2013 to authorize eminent domain in Fresno and Madera counties. The rail authority needs to acquire 525 pieces of property for its Madera-Fresno construction section; to date, it has secured title to about 100 parcels.”
Sheehan, Tim. The Fresno Bee 12 December 2014.