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Commission authorizes temporary construction easement using eminent domain for Cranberry/Hillsborough roundabout
Summary
The commission approved a resolution authorizing eminent domain to secure temporary construction easements for a roundabout at Cranberry Boulevard and Hillsborough Boulevard after staff said the property owner had been unresponsive; staff said the easement is temporary and the project is cost‑shared with Charlotte County.
The City Commission authorized staff to pursue temporary construction easements — including by eminent domain if necessary — to complete the Cranberry Boulevard/Hillsborough Boulevard intersection improvement project (a roundabout). Deputy City Manager Yarborough told commissioners the project is a cost share with Charlotte County and staff has been unable to secure the necessary temporary access from a neighboring racetrack, prompting the request for authority.
Commissioners sought clarification on the meaning of "temporary" and staff explained the easements would permit construction staging, equipment and material storage during the project and that property ownership would not permanently transfer: "We won't own the property," a staff member said; "It's just for the project. It'll go back to them." Commissioners were reassured staff needed only this temporary access to complete the job and that additional permanent acquisitions were not anticipated. The commission adopted Resolution 2025‑R‑85 on a 5‑0 vote.
Staff said the measure is intended to bring ownership to the negotiating table and allow the city to complete the roundabout design and construction timeline; the project remains subject to standard right‑of‑way negotiations and reimbursement processes.
