Council votes to use eminent domain
10:46 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tonight, the city council decided to begin the process of eminent domain for one neighborhood in Southwest Topeka.
Lauren's Bay Estates is around 41st and Wanamaker. The city wants to extend a road in the neighborhood, which would go through some of the neighbors property.
Through eminent domain the city can take ownership of a private piece of property and use it for a public project. Neighbors were against the extension, so tonight the council voted to begin the process of condemning some of the property.
"There is no reason for this," said Neighbor Dick Jones. "They can make a utility connectivity and it doesn't impact on the road. There's a lot of alternatives they can do but they're not even looking at that."
The council also officially rejected the mayor's candidate for the planning commission.
A new state law requires the city council to make a specific finding that the mayor's candidate was either unfit or unqualified to hold office. In May, former candidate Carol Torrence spoke out against a proposed development at 53rd and Wanamaker.
Council members actually did not approve that development, partially because of Torrence.
Torrence and other neighbors in the area formed a formal protest petition, which meant seven council members had to vote for the plan for it to pass.
It only got 6 "yes" votes, which ordinarily would be enough for it to pass.
"If you speak against the policies that have been approved by the council and supported by staff," said councilman Jeff Preisner, "obviously I don't see how she'd be able to do that if she sat on the commission."
"Growth is happening around us all the time," Torrence said, "but I think smart growth is the thing. We have a lot of areas in Topeka that we need to look back at."
Torrence has been in Topeka since 1993. She originally approached the council to become part of the planning commission.
Torrence said she didn't totally oppose the development at 53rd and Wanamaker. She just thought it was too big.
Council members also voted to approve the construction of a parking lot in the college hill area.
That lot will go on 16th street and is part of the College Hill redevelopment project.
The council also approved a sustainability board that will make recommendations to the council on environmental policy.
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Sep. 24, 2008 at 6:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)adurtyoldman (anonymous)
You used to be able to shoot people who steal from you.
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