San Jacinto City Council makes rare eminent domain ruling for necessary street widening
The San Jacinto City Council reluctantly approved the acquisition of a permanent roadway easement on a portion of real property on Vernon Avenue over the rejection of a homeowner who turned down an offer of $38,000 for the property during its regular Tuesday, May 17, meeting.The action was taken as it was seen as an eminent domain issue. The easement to widen the highway for the safe movement of traffic and pedestrians through the area. Vernon Avenue connects with the Ramona Expressway in the north and Artesia Road on the south.Mayor Crystal Ruiz, before asking the council for approval, reported she despised any takeover of a private citizen’s land by eminent domain, but saw the acquisition was necessary and it was not infringing on any of the owners’ buildings or structures al