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Council authorizes condemnation for Leander Road expansion in 5–2 vote after limited settlements
Summary
The council voted 5–2 to adopt a resolution finding necessary the acquisition of rights-of-way and drainage easements for the Leander Road (RM 2243) expansion from Norwood Drive to the Southwest Bypass, authorizing eminent domain if negotiations do not produce voluntary conveyances for remaining parcels.
The City of Georgetown council adopted a resolution authorizing the use of eminent domain to acquire remaining rights‑of‑way and drainage easements needed for the Leander Road (RM 2243) expansion project, voting 5–2 on a roll-call vote after staff said two of 11 properties had settled.
City staff described the project limits as running from just west of the Southwest Bypass and Leander Road to Riverboat Drive and said the project adds travel lanes, a median, drainage improvements and a shared‑use path on the north side. Staff told the council they had sent initial offers and appraisal reports under Texas Property Code Chapter 21 and were negotiating with property owners; they said two parcels (one owned by the school district and one other property) were already settled, three property owners representing nine parcels still needed to be acquired, and one owner had retained counsel.
City staff said the project had now received environmental clearance and that if agreements are not reached, staff would proceed with final offers and, if necessary, condemnation filings. The staff presentation emphasized the condemnation process steps (initial offer, final offer, petition for condemnation, special commissioner hearings, deposit of funds and potential court proceedings).
The resolution motion listed specific parcels and owners to be included for condemnation if necessary: parcels of land owned by AC Weir Properties LTD; parcels owned by Texas Crushed Stone Company; a small portion owned by KLL LB Buy 4 LLC; and a 0.0438‑acre portion of land associated with Timothy Long and Deandre Long, trustee of the 4L Revocable Trust (motion refers to exhibit A for full descriptions). The motion also directed the first record vote to apply to all units of property to be condemned.
Roll call for the record vote was read as District 1: Yes; District 2: No; District 3: Yes; District 4: Yes; District 5: Yes; District 6: Yes; District 7: No; the presiding officer announced the motion passed 5–2. A councilmember asked whether staff were still negotiating; staff said negotiations were ongoing and condemnation is a last resort.
What happens next: staff said final offers and possession‑and‑use agreements would be sent to remaining owners and that, if unresolved, staff would file condemnation petitions and proceed with the statutory process. Council directed staff to proceed as described.
