Council to use eminent domain for road project
“The city may go to court to gain access to land that’s needed to widen a portion of Santa Rosa Road because a dispute with a property owner—concerned by the potential impacts of the project—has stalled construction.
On Dec. 10, the Camarillo City Council unanimously authorized the commencement of eminent domain proceedings to acquire the easements necessary to widen a portion of the busy roadway.
The action gave staff the go-ahead to move forward with legal proceedings to acquire a permanent easement and a temporary construction easement on Santa Rosa Road, with the understanding that the city will engage in further discussions to avoid litigation if possible.
“We just need to get the project moving forward,” Tom Fox, the city’s public works director, said at the meeting. “Until something can move forward, the project is at a standstill.””
Sumell, Stephanie. Acorn News 18 December 2014.