Easley to seek eminent domain to force sinkholes fix in Oak Creek
“The city of Easley will seek access to a strip of property through three residences in the Oak Creek subdivision by claiming eminent domain if the homeowners don’t agree to a price for an easement to allow the city to fix a faulty drainage system that has created series of gaping sinkholes.
Seventeen of 20 homeowners on Creek Drive have signed easements to allow the work, although some of them told City Council on Monday that they’re unhappy with the way the city is handling the problem, which dates back to the late 1980’s.
“I don’t think there is any property owner there who doesn’t want this fixed fairly and with transparency,” said Forrest Thomas, an Oak Creek resident.
He said he has signed an easement but has yet to receive anything in writing that outlines the city’s responsibility to restore the property after the work is done.
“We haven’t had good communication with the city,” he said.”
Barnett, Ron. Greenville Online 10 November 2014.