Emerald Trail eminent domain / Hogan's Creek land acquisition

Recommended

NCSPHS Substitute/Approve 6-0; Rules Committee Substitute/Approve 5-0; TEU Substitute/Approve 5-0.

Debated

The Auditor's Office explained the substitute; it passed 7-1 with Diamond in opposition. CM Diamond argued eminent domain should not be used for parks and that too much has already been spent on downtown parks. Renee Hunter, Chief of Real Estate, testified that the affected properties are commercial, not residential, and most are inactive businesses or vacant. The committee debated whether any decision to actually exercise eminent domain should require council's return approval. The Chair deferred the bill to permit Hunter's team more time to answer outstanding questions. A significant cost flag was embedded in the materials: the CIP currently reflects a total project cost of $30 million; however, Public Works has communicated that project costs are anticipated to be approximately $164 million.

Decided

DEFERRED by Chair after lengthy debate; substitute had passed 7-1 in the committee vote.