TUSTIN : Eminent Domain Action Weighed

The City Council will hold a public hearing tonight to discuss taking over property through the eminent domain process for expansion of a water plant.

The city has been trying unsuccessfully to buy the property, a quarter-acre, rectangular parcel on Prospect Avenue between Main and 3rd streets. The city wants to use the property to expand the water plant on Main, but the property owner has not accepted the city’s offer.

The expansion of the plant would include enlargement of the Main Street reservoir to a 2.2-million-gallon facility, drilling a new well and expansion of office, shop and parking areas. City officials hope to begin constructing the new reservoir in spring of 1992.

City Atty. Janes G. Rourke said an appraiser hired by the city valued the property at $220,000. The property owner has the option of having the land independently appraised and negotiating for another purchase amount.

If the council approves the eminent domain action and the property owner does not agree to sell the property, the next step is to file a lawsuit, Rourke said. To go forward with eminent domain, the council must find that there is a public necessity to own the property.