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Meridian Hills council authorizes appraisal, counsel to pursue eminent domain for 7499 N. Pennsylvania St.
Summary
The Town Council voted 5–0 to engage outside counsel and order an initial appraisal to begin an eminent domain process for property at 7499 N. Pennsylvania St.; the action follows prior discussion about right‑of‑way needed for the East 75th Street sidewalk project.
The Meridian Hills Town Council voted unanimously Jan. 12 to begin steps toward an eminent domain action for 7499 N. Pennsylvania Street, a parcel owned by Penny A Weed, LLC.
Council Member Greg Jacoby moved to engage the law firm Dentons, modify the proposed resolution as discussed by the Council, and order an initial appraisal; Council Member Cole Marr seconded. The motion passed 5–0. Council President Walter Freihofer said he supports pursuing the action and offered to meet with neighboring property owners to try to resolve outstanding issues informally before litigation proceeds.
Town Attorney Sloan Schafer reviewed the eminent domain process for the Council and answered questions about costs; Town Engineer David Borden estimated appraisal costs would be “at least a few thousand dollars” for an initial appraisal. Schafer also told the Council there is related work in the Town’s INIP/INDOT project portfolio that informs the timing of the property need.
The endorsement authorizes Dentons to revise the resolution language and to proceed with an appraisal; the Council did not approve any purchase price or settlement in the Jan. 12 meeting. According to meeting minutes, the motion’s immediate effect is to obtain an appraisal and advance the legal process. Next steps the Council identified include a possible direct conversation with affected neighbors and administrative follow‑up by Town counsel and staff.
No public comments were recorded during the meeting objecting to or supporting the action.
