Keizer schools OK use of eminent domain for church land

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – School officials in Keizer have approved using eminent domain to acquire land from a neighboring church to address traffic issues at a high school.

The Statesman-Journal reports that Salem-Keizer School Board on Tuesday approved a resolution of necessity allowing the district to acquire six acres of private property from St. Edward Catholic Church.

Salem-Keizer officials say they’ve exhausted all alternatives as they try to address safety issues around the main parking lot of McNary High School.

St. Edward church officials say they haven’t been offered a fair-market price. They say they’ll fight the district’s use of eminent domain, a process that allows an authority to acquire land for public use with compensation.

The district will make a final offer to the church before moving forward.

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Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com