Weston to acquire property from Harvard by eminent domain
“n a saga that has taken on “epic proportions,” according to Selectman Michael Harrity, the town plans to take from Harvard University by eminent domain a 1.6-acre parcel of the Case Estates property neighboring Alphabet Lane.
Harrity said the parcel is needed for additional parking for the Case campus, site of the Country, Field and Woodlands schools, Community Center and Weston Library.
The town is planning to offer $360,000 to Harvard for the property, which was appraised at $900,000 if sold as a single family house lot, and Harvard has two years to appeal the price.
“The only way to create this as a legal lot would be to create a private road that would give it the frontage,” Harrity said at last week’s selectmen’s meeting in explaining Weston’s offer. “We came up with approximately $540,000 to create the road with all the utilities, and so the net value of this parcel is $900,000, less the $540,000, which leaves us with a value of $360,000.””
Wyner, Michael. Metro West Daily News 2 December 2013.