Leader: Council item isn’t an eminent-domain boost

Costa Mesa won’t try to boost its eminent domain powers, though an upcoming City Council agenda item may appear to the contrary, City Atty. Kimberly Hall Barlow said this week.

She’s already received calls of concern about an ordinance the council will discuss June 5. The rule describes the city’s program for using eminent domain to acquire property, but it doesn’t grant the power of eminent domain.

Barlow said she’s bringing the measure forward because it’s required by a new state law. The only place Costa Mesa officials have had eminent domain power in recent years was the downtown redevelopment area — which includes Triangle Square — and that power expired in 1999.

So the proposed new rule is no cause for alarm, Barlow said, adding, “It’s only to comply with the law. It doesn’t change our eminent domain authority.”

— Alicia Robinson