Agenda - 09-05-2013 - 5k - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

2 Because this new sewer interceptor will travel cross country, rather than along an existing roadway, there are five property owners from whom the County will need to acquire easements. Orange County staff has contacted each property owner from whom easements are needed by letter to let them know why the easement is needed, where the easement will be located on their property, how much the County is offering them for the easement and the value of the infrastructure being installed on their property. County staff has been answering any questions property owners have and negotiating for voluntary acquisition of the needed easements. It is anticipated that two of the five easements may need to be acquired using the County's eminent domain power. Please note that the easements are for temporary construction and later, maintenance access to the sewer line. The easements do not take up the entire property. They allow the County's contractor the right to construct the line and ultimately will allow the County the right to enter and maintain the sewer line. All areas disturbed during construction will be reseeded and vegetation re- established once construction in that area is complete. The map in Attachment 1 shows the entire project area. In general, there will be a 30 foot wide easement, centered on sewer line, with a temporary construction easement extending an additional 20 feet. The temporary construction easement will only be used during construction of the project and will be necessary due to the depth of the line in some areas. To complete the acquisition of the easements, the easement documents must be signed by the County (receipt of interest in property) and recorded. The easements are generally 0.5 acres in size or less. According to the County's tax records, the properties on which the easements are located average 6.3 acres in size (with the exception of one 75 acre parcel) and range from 3.7 to 8.9 acres. Any easements that must proceed to condemnation will require a deposit with the court of the appraised value of the easement. County staff will coordinate easement appraisals as needed. FINANCIAL IMPACT: County staff has offered a standard monetary amount for each easement. Money has been set aside in the project budget to cover these costs. In the event of condemnation, the County will deposit the value of the easement with the Court upon filing of the condemnation complaint. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board: 1. Authorize the Chair to sign easement documents on behalf of the Board; 2. Authorize the payment of negotiated easement value to individual property owners; and 3. Authorize the County Attorney's office to proceed with legal acquisition of utility easements with court filing, as necessary.