BREA : City May Acquire Site Owned by Bank

The City Council today will consider a proposal to acquire by condemnation land owned by Wells Fargo Bank that is to be used for the widening of Imperial Highway.

The 2,674-square-foot parcel on the southwest corner of Imperial Highway and State College Boulevard has to be acquired by eminent domain because the city and the bank have failed to reach a settlement, officials said.

City Manager Frank Benest said negotiations with Wells Fargo will continue despite the condemnation.

The city is allowed under state law to acquire private property for public use if it pays fair market value.

Under the $18-million joint project by the California Department of Transportation and the city of Brea, one lane will be added in each direction on Imperial Highway.

The project, which started in August last year, is expected to be completed late next year.

To speed up the flow of traffic, new traffic signals, bus turnouts and left- and right-turn lanes will be built.

The Wells Fargo land, which is part of a 200,000-square-foot shopping center, will provide a right-turn lane from eastbound Imperial Highway onto southbound State College Boulevard.

Benest said the city would pay about $96,000 for the property, plus escrow fees.

Cutler and Associates Inc., the city’s right-of-way agent, is handling the negotiations with Wells Fargo Bank, Benest said.