December 8, 2020Asheville City Council
From the minutes, not yet reviewedCouncil lets the City take a sidewalk easement at 117 Onteora Boulevard through eminent domain.
The City has every easement it needs for a sidewalk project except one, along the edge of 117 Onteora Boulevard. The owner, Margetta Deese, died in 2016. The City says it tried many times to find heirs but got no response. It expects the easement to be worth less than $3,000.
- Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Still pending: The vote lets the City Attorney's Office start a court case to take the easement. The sidewalk still has to be built.
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
- Eminent domain:
- The government's power to take private property for public use when the owner won't sell. State law requires fair payment, and a court can set the amount.
Official title: Resolution authorizing the City Attorney’s Office to condemn a sidewalk easement over real property located at 117 Onteora Boulevard
Carried unanimously, as part of the consent agenda
From the minutes: The amended motion made by Councilwoman Turner and seconded by Councilwoman Mosley carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Read the motion as recorded
“RESOLUTION NO. 20-214 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO CONDEMN A SIDEWALK EASEMENT OVER REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 117 ONTEORA BOULEVARD”
Open the minutesConsent agenda, item D