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DeSoto Parish approves steps toward Parks Road acquisition, seeks quick-take authority with Stonewall
Summary
The road committee authorized staff to prepare resolutions and an appraisal plan for acquiring multiple parcels for the Parks Road project, discussed donated tracts and a parcel with numerous heirs that may require expropriation, and noted the need for a local services agreement with Stonewall to enable quick-take procedures.
Members of the DeSoto Parish road committee on Feb. 13 voted to authorize preparatory steps for acquiring property needed for the Parks Road project and instructed staff to return finalized documents to the full jury for action.
Staff told jurors they are assembling four documents: a resolution authorizing acquisition, an appraisal plan, a local services agreement with the town of Stonewall and (if required) an ordinance authorizing acquisition. Several parcels will be donated; however one parcel tied to the Dorothy White family currently lists about 35 heirs, and staff said they have been unable to locate eight heirs and are preparing to pursue expropriation for those portions if offers and outreach prove unsuccessful.
Speaker 8 explained the purpose of the local services agreement: by partnering with Stonewall the parish would obtain the expedited authority commonly called "quick-take" so it can acquire rights and begin construction more quickly than otherwise possible under ordinary court-curator schedules. Staff said the DOT has asked for an updated form for a December resolution and that the DOT document may delay final action until a later meeting if the new form is not available in time for the next packet.
Jurors asked whether the land would be purchased or donated; staff replied most parcels are expected to be donated but the Dorothy White parcel may require legal proceedings. Staff also described the acreage involved (about 0.7 acres for the ditch portion alongside the roadway) and said the road-raising work will lift the road about 6 to 7 feet at the low point.
The committee voted to move the matter forward and asked staff to include the four draft documents in the packet for the full jury. If the DOT form is not available, staff warned the Parks Road action may be delayed to the July meeting.
The committee also approved two other road items — E-911 naming for Esmeralda Bridal Drive and a cooperative endeavor with Longstreet to overlay Petty Road — and adjourned.
