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Winchester council authorizes eminent-domain option to secure access to water treatment plant

Winchester City Council · November 25, 2025
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Council adopted a resolution giving staff authority to pursue eminent domain to obtain access easements to the city's water treatment plant and dam on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River if negotiations with property owners fail.

Winchester City Council voted to give city staff authority to pursue eminent domain to obtain access easements needed to reach the city's water treatment plant and a sill dam on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, citing prolonged failed negotiations with adjacent property owners.

City Attorney Melissa Michaelson told the council the city already holds perpetual easements for the water facilities themselves but lacks access across four parcels that block a practical route to the site. She said staff first sought perpetual easements, then downgraded to temporary…

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