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Belton staff outline Marque Parkway acquisition plan and possible condemnation steps
Summary
Staff told council they are moving Marque Parkway into right‑of‑way acquisition after design and environmental review, outlined a federal/state appraisal and offer process, and warned that condemnation may be needed if a property owner refuses to negotiate. SHPO environmental review remained outstanding.
Belton staff updated council on the Marque Parkway reconstruction project (North Scott to Westover), reporting that design and right‑of‑way plans are approved and the city will enter the property acquisition phase to support construction.
Staff explained the federal and state compliance steps required before acquisition: final environmental approvals (with the State Historic Preservation Office—SHPO—remaining) to establish an acquisition date, title searches and encumbrance reviews, survey‑generated legal descriptions, appraisals and a federal requirement for a second review appraisal. The city will make a good‑faith offer based on those appraisals and negotiate with property owners; if a landowner refuses, staff described the standard 60‑ and 30‑day notices and the federal/MoDOT condemnation process that can lead to a court determination and a court‑appointed appraisal panel.
Staff said most owners appear willing to negotiate but noted at least one property has a history of resisting infrastructure work and may require condemnation. The presentation described practical negotiation options used to reach settlements—such as paving a driveway in exchange for land value—and cautioned that condemnation litigation can take several months once initiated.
Council members asked about railroad coordination for crossings and potential impacts to adjacent properties; staff said an agreement with the railroad is being worked out and that the crossing will be treated as an alteration of an existing crossing under Missouri law. Staff will return with maps and acquisition schedules as negotiations progress.
