HUNTINGTON BEACH : Council OKs Seizure of Lots Near Park

The City Council has voted to take by eminent domain the remaining portions of seven “encyclopedia lots” in the Central Park area. The city earlier this year had voted to acquire most of the lots so that Ellis Avenue could be widened.

Property owners protested this week that the city doesn’t actually need the lots and is not offering enough money for them. The council, however, said the land is needed and that Orange County Superior Court will determine its value.

The land in question consists of small tracts given away about 80 years ago as part of an Encyclopedia Americana sales campaign. People who bought a set of encyclopedias for $126 also were given a small lot in what was then an eroded gully area northwest of the small village of Huntington Beach. That land was considered worthless in those days.

The city this year said the fair market value of the 25-by-112-foot lots is $10,000 each. Owners believe the land is worth more than that, and sued to block the city’s seizure of the land. The case is pending.

In the earlier eminent domain action this year, the city sought to take only portions of the lots immediately needed for widening Ellis Avenue.

The City Council on Monday night moved to buy the rest of the land because the remnants would not be marketable.

Barbara Harmon, of Burbank, owner of one of the lots, was among those protesting the council’s action.

“The city already owns the land across the street (Ellis Avenue). It does not need my land,” she argued.

City Atty. Gail Hutton, however, said the rights of the lot owners are being legally protected by the Superior Court’s review of the eminent domain.

“The court will decide what is appropriate,” Hutton said.