Rohnert Park authorizes use of eminent domain for casino road widening
“Rohnert Park on Tuesday asserted its power of eminent domain, finding it is in the public’s interest to condemn and purchase parts of several properties on Wilfred Avenue, which is being widened to accommodate the Indian casino under construction just outside the city.
The affected properties together equal just under an acre of land, most of it outside the city limits. A judge must now determine their respective values. Property owners who have so far rejected the city and tribe’s offers as inadequate can also submit their own land appraisals.
Chris Christoforidis, whose parents own a 3-acre parcel at Wilfred and Langner avenues, said the problem was about more than the $12,900 the city and tribe had offered for the 12,209 square feet it needs for an easement. The city has proceeded without regard for his parents’ wishes, he said.
But the land was appraised for the purposes of the offer as farmland, while the family has been paying taxes on it as a commercial property, she said.
“We disagree with their deciding to value it as farmland,” Tesconi said, “but even as farmland we feel it was incorrectly appraised.””
Hay, Jeremy. The Press Democrat 12 February 2013.