Caltrans needs land, resorts to eminent domain

Sue Doyle

COSTA MESA -- The California Department of Transportation has filed court

documents against C.J. Segerstrom & Sons in an attempt to acquire

property needed for an upcoming freeway project.

Caltrans is attempting to purchase from the Costa Mesa-based developer

pieces of land near the San Diego Freeway at Harbor Boulevard and

Fairview Road, said Stephen Chase, an attorney representing the

transportation agency.

Caltrans filed two eminent domain complaints in Orange County Superior

Court last week.

The land is needed for the agency’s project to improve freeway ramps at

Harbor Boulevard and Fairview Road.

Paul Freeman, a spokesman for C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, said the two

parties can still reach an agreement out of court.

“It’s a matter of price. We’re agreeable to this otherwise. I’m 100%

confident that we will ultimately reach an accommodation,” Freeman said.

Freeman added that the court proceedings will ensure that Caltrans will

eventually get the land and move forward with its work schedule.

A government agency can use eminent domain to acquire property for a

public project when the property owner chooses not to sell at the offered

price. A judge can order the transaction to take place, or alter the

price if it is not of fair market value.

The property sale will not affect Segerstrom’s Home Ranch project, which

proposes to build an office building and an IKEA furniture store on 90

acres of land near Harbor Boulevard and the freeway.

“This stretch is necessary for the freeway improvement project. But as

far as our Home Ranch project -- that’s independent of it,” Freeman said.