Eminent Domain Report

Last week, the Agoura Hills City Council approved acquiring 14 properties through eminent domain for its Augora Road Widening and Canwood Street Improvement Project, as reported by The Acorn.  The purpose of the project is to reduce traffic congestion and provide an emergency bypass road to the 101.  The project will expand Agoura Road from two lanes to four lanes, provide sidewalks, bike paths and landscaped pathways and medians. There will also be improvements to Kanan Road as a result.  Almost half of the acquisitions consist of only temporary construction easements. 

Some property owners and attorneys spoke at the city council hearing opposing the project and voicing concerns about the project's design.  Among those concerns are changes to the flow of traffic, potential inability to make left turns, and property owner concerns about their ability to develop their property after the project is complete.  The city has promised to continue negotiating with property owners to avoid filing condemnation actions.  Construction is scheduled to start in 2014.