Eminent domain measure gets final approval
“Crisfield officials gave final approval to an ordinance giving them the authority to use eminent domain to acquire property on Seventh Street that sits in the middle of a planned wind turbine project at the sewage treatment plant.
The measure is necessary to create a buffer zone around the turbine, said city attorney Michael Sullivan.
Mayor Percy “P.J.” Purnell said after negotiations with the property owners, Weldon and Felda Massey, failed, the city resorted to using eminent domain — the right of government to take private property for public use.
“You get to the point where you say, ‘what other choices do we have?’ ” he said.
The approval Monday was the final action by the current City Council before a new mayor and county members were sworn in Wednesday.”
Holland, Liz. Delmarva Now 27 June 2014.