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Board approves resolution to authorize condemnation for Sims Drive extension
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted to authorize condemnation of a portion of tax map parcel 5013J to complete a public road extension connecting Sims Drive to Friendship Way, citing long-standing right-of-way negotiations and public-safety aims.
The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors on May 6 adopted a resolution authorizing condemnation of a portion of tax-map parcel 5013J to build a public road extension connecting Sims Drive to Friendship Way, a project county officials said has been under negotiation for more than three years.
County Administrator John McLaren and county staff described the project as a multi-party right-of-way assembly that currently includes donated parcels or agreements from Virginia Baptist Homes (LifeSpire), Buchanan Partners and other landowners, but that a small triangular parcel owned through an out-of-state holding company had been difficult to secure because of financing and collateral arrangements.
County staff said the parcel in question contains drainage area and is not buildable for new apartments; staff also said the pace of negotiations and the financing structure of the owner’s holdings created a barrier to a negotiated easement. Several speakers argued the condemnation was needed for emergency access: Francis Updike and other residents stressed school and fire-rescue access to Pearl Sample and AG Richardson schools, noting daily traffic congestion on Route 15 and the possibility that the road would provide an alternative ingress/egress for first responders.
County Attorney and staff explained the condemnation process, saying it is the usual procedure when negotiations and complex financing prevent voluntary conveyance. They emphasized that condemnation includes appraisal and payment of fair market value and that settlements often are reached during the right-of-way acquisition process. Several board members acknowledged reluctance about eminent domain but said public-safety benefits and prior attempts to negotiate weighed in favor of authorization.
Supervisor Underwood moved that the board adopt a resolution authorizing condemnation; after a second, the motion carried with an affirmative vote.
The resolution authorizes staff to proceed with the condemnation process to acquire the necessary right-of-way; staff said the taking would be limited to what is necessary for a public thoroughfare and would not remove residential rights or buildable lots.
The board’s action does not yet produce a construction contract; it authorizes acquisition of property needed to build the Sims Drive extension and moves the project toward engineering and construction planning.
