By Steve Plunkett
Delray Beach has started eminent domain proceedings against the neighbors immediately north and south of its Thomas Street stormwater pumping station so workers will have room to take the facility apart, construct an expanded facility and store parts and equipment.
The properties at 142 and 202 Seabreeze Ave. have backyards opening to the Intracoastal Waterway. The city is seeking permanent easements on both parcels. It is also seeking a temporary easement at 142 Seabreeze to move the home’s air conditioning and swimming pool pump equipment out of the work zone.
Two resolutions adopted July 9 state the City Commission finds the easements necessary and authorizes the eminent domain proceedings.
Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Maxine Cheesman scheduled an Oct. 31 hearing on the city’s lawsuit at the county courthouse in West Palm Beach.
The Thomas Street station is responsible for pumping stormwater for a 50-acre drainage basin that includes Thomas Street, Vista Del Mar Drive and part of Andrews Avenue and Lowry Street, the city says. It calls the station “a vital lifeline for approximately 800 residents.”
Delray Beach proposes giving Terrance Shallenberger Jr., who owns 202 Seabreeze Ave., $111,800 compensation for the easement, down 20% from the $139,750 that the City Commission authorized as its top offer in May.
Ann and Fred Glaize III, owners of 142 Seabreeze Ave., would get $154,200 under the proposal, down 14% from the commission’s May offer of $179,500.
The city and the property owners have been negotiating the easements for some time. Stumbling points were concerns about aesthetics, the noise and how the new pumps may render parts of their properties unusable.
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