City Moves on Plans to Condemn Property
The City Council has moved ahead with plans to condemn portions of 20 properties in the resort area along Katella Avenue.
City officials said the land is needed to widen and landscape Katella from the Santa Ana Freeway to west of Harbor Boulevard.
Money for the projects will come from the Orange County Transportation Authority and from the city’s recent sale of bonds for resort area improvements, officials said.
Natalie Meeks, city development services manager, said acquisition offers have been made to the property owners, but the city has not reached agreements with them.
The city staff will continue to work with the owners in the hope of avoiding court action to exercise the city’s right of eminent domain, she said.
However, the city will do so if necessary “to ensure the city obtains legal possession in time for construction,” Meeks said.
Construction is to begin in January.
--BY DEBRA CANO, J. J. POPE and HOPE HAMASHIGE
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