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Council approves resolution authorizing eminent domain for Brown Park waterfront parcel
Summary
The City Council approved Resolution 25‑07 authorizing city staff to pursue eminent domain for a parcel adjacent to East Lake Street in the Brown Park area; staff said the parcel spans an undefined ordinary high watermark and state land encroachment permits may be required.
The McCall City Council approved Resolution 25‑07 authorizing city staff and agents to exercise the city’s right of eminent domain for additional tidelands/bridal property adjacent to East Lake Street in the Brown Park area.
Kurt (Kirk) Wolf, the city’s parks and recreation director, told council the subject parcel is an awkward strip between the west edge of the road asphalt and the ordinary high watermark north of Marina Avenue. “The original McCall’s first edition, the original flat there, it's not specifically defined high watermark,” Wolf said, and noted that because the high watermark is not clearly defined, the state lands agency typically controls encroachment permits for public improvements on that waterfront.
Wolf said a reference survey prepared by C‑Section Engineering and a legal description of the parcel were included in the council packet. Staff asked the council to authorize the resolution as a first step in pursuing formal action on the property acquisition.
Council moved and seconded approval of Resolution 25‑07. The council took a roll call vote: Council Member Machesek — yes; Council Member Nelson — yes; Mayor Giles — yes; Council Member Nielsen — yes. The mayor confirmed the motion carried.
Why it matters: acquiring the parcel and resolving the waterfront boundary is intended to clear title and permit public improvements in Brown Park. Wolf emphasized that any encroachment work will require coordination with state lands given the unclear ordinary high watermark.
Next steps: with the resolution approved staff may proceed with property acquisition actions and coordinate required encroachment permits and surveys prior to any public-improvement work.
