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Rules Committee clears negotiation/condemnation path for Hogan Creek trail parcels; staff say parcels are largely vacant and commercial
Summary
The committee approved legislation (2026-0327 as substituted) authorizing staff to pursue agreements — and, if necessary, eminent domain — for 16–17 parcels tied to the Hogan Creek restoration trail. Public Works said parcels are mostly vacant, commercial, range in size up to 7.42 acres, and many lie in the 100‑year floodplain.
On May 18 the Rules Committee approved a substitute and passed bill 2026-0327, authorizing the city to proceed with negotiations for property needed for a trail tied to the Hogan Creek restoration project and, if negotiations fail, to refer the matter to the Office of General Counsel for an eminent domain process.
Public Works (Nina Sichler) told the committee the list includes roughly 16 parcels (some records indicate 17 exhibits attached to the bill) that are primarily commercial and mostly vacant; staff described two parcels that may have parking operations. Real estate staff (Renee Hunter) said parcel sizes vary from under a tenth of an acre up to about 7.42 acres; most parcels are zoned commercial or light industrial, with one parcel zoned CRO (commercial residential office). Committee members asked whether parcels would have major operational impacts on existing businesses if acquired; staff said they had not yet begun negotiations and would verify business activity before pursuing acquisition.
Hunter confirmed staff had not started negotiations and that authorization would allow negotiations to proceed and, if necessary, allow the city to pursue eminent domain through legal channels. A committee member noted many of the identified parcels fall within the 100‑year floodplain, which limits how fully they can be used. The committee approved the substitute and the bill as substituted by voice vote (five yes, zero no).
Committee members asked staff to provide more precise information about which parcels, if any, host active businesses and to highlight potential significant economic impacts on firms if acquisitions proceed. The action authorizes staff to continue negotiations and move toward condemnation only if agreements cannot be reached.
