Anna council authorizes eminent‑domain option to acquire right‑of‑way and sewer easements for Mantua Parkway project

The Anna City Council on May 27 authorized staff to acquire easements, by negotiation or by using eminent domain if negotiations fail, for a roadway and regional sewer trunk that staff described as critical to development and regional wastewater connections.

Assistant City Manager Greg Peters said the city’s development agreement with the project developer requires the developer to attempt to obtain the needed rights of way and easements first; the agreement then allows the city to step in and acquire easements if the developer is unable to do so, with the city to pursue reimbursement for acquisition costs. Peters said the easements would support construction of Mantua Parkway and a trunk sewer that will also serve the adjoining city of Alstyne.

During the meeting a councilmember recited the motion that named the specific tracts and acreage (the motion referenced several partial‑acre parcels totaling roughly 0.8 acres for one permanent right of way interest and other pieces; staff read the full legal descriptions and instrument references into the record). Staff said the affected property is vacant and no one is currently living on it.

Council approved the resolution authorizing staff, the city manager, contractors and the city attorney to acquire the required permanent and temporary easements by any lawful means, including eminent domain. The motion passed unanimously.

City staff said acquiring these easements is part of a larger infrastructure plan to construct an arterial roadway and sewer trunk needed for multiple developments in the area and to provide a wastewater connection for the neighboring municipality of Alstyne.