Council adopts resolution of necessity to seek temporary construction easement for Ramon Road widening

The City Council held and closed a public hearing and adopted a resolution of necessity that authorizes city staff and the city attorney to file eminent domain proceedings if negotiations with the affected property owner for a temporary construction easement cannot be completed by agreement.

The staff report explained that the project — a widening of Ramon Road to create a continuous six‑lane arterial between San Luis Rey Drive and Landau Boulevard, including bridge widening and seismic retrofit — requires an L‑shaped temporary construction easement (5–10 feet wide; roughly 1,228 square feet) on property identified as assessor parcel number 678210041. City attorneys and engineers said the city attempted to negotiate for the interest; the previous temporary easement had expired on June 30, 2024, and the property owner refused the offered compensation this year.

The council is required under California eminent domain law to find that public necessity requires the acquisition, that the location is compatible with the public good, that the property interest is necessary, and that an offer of just compensation has been made. City staff and counsel recommended the council adopt the resolution so the project can remain on schedule; staff emphasized negotiations will continue and litigation will be a last resort.

After the public hearing closed with no speakers, councilmember Vicki Garner moved to adopt the resolution of necessity; the motion carried 5–0. Staff said if the parties settle, the filing would be withdrawn; otherwise the city attorney’s office will initiate eminent domain proceedings.