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Thunder Valley may help fund Placer Parkway

by in Eminent Domain

It was recently reported that the United Auburn Indian Community, the tribe connected to the Thunder Valley Casino Resort, may contribute $24 million toward the first phase of Placer Parkway. Phase 1 of the project includes:

  1. Widening the Highway 65 overcrossing to six lanes;
  2. Widening Whitney Ranch Parkway, from Highway 65 to University Avenue, to six lanes;
  3. Adding auxiliary lanes north and south of the interchange at Highway 65 and Whitney Ranch Parkway;
  4. Adding and widening on- and off-ramps at the interchange;
  5. Adding a four-lane overcrossing of Industrial Avenue and the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks; and
  6. Adding a four-lane extension to Foothills Boulevard.

When completed, Placer Parkway will be a 15-mile roadway that connects Highway 65 in Placer County to Highway 99 in Sutter County. It will primarily traverse over what is currently agricultural land. As a result, development of Placer Parkway will require the acquisition or taking of private property. Through eminent domain, the government may condemn property for a public purpose so long as just compensation is provided. The proposed additions and extensions may result in encroachment or damage to nearby private property. Even if there is only a partial loss or taking, property owners are entitled to compensation.

Placer County officials are reportedly looking to adopt a new plan for the area around Thunder Valley to boost its prospects for economic development. Placer Parkway will help make this possible. The tribe has also requested support from the County for trust acquisitions near Thunder Valley, under which the tribe proposes to take approximately 188 acres south of Athens Avenue into trust for non-gaming economic development purposes. Increased development will likely result in an increased ability for the County to acquire private property or take it through eminent domain.

DNLC has successfully defended property owners in numerous eminent domain/condemnation cases involving new roadway projects and can assist property owners affected by the Placer Parkway and other public projects.