The governing authority may expropriate needed property for specified road and drainage projects if it cannot acquire it amicably, but it must give owners advance written notice and include a copy of this Part.
PART III-I. EXPROPRIATION OF PROPERTY BY A DECLARATION OF TAKING BY CITY OF LAFAYETTE AND PARISH OF LAFAYETTE §139. City of Lafayette and parish of Lafayette; Kaliste Saloom Road Widening Project or drainage, road, or bridge projects; acquisition of property prior to judgment; definitions A. When the governing authority cannot amicably acquire property needed by the city of Lafayette and the parish of Lafayette for the Kaliste Saloom Road Widening Project or for the construction, repair, or enhancement of drainage, roads, or bridges, it may acquire the same by expropriation and may acquire the property prior to judgment in the trial court fixing the amount of compensation due to the owner of the property. B. At least fifteen days prior to filing a petition for expropriation, the governing authority shall notify the owner or owners by certified mail, return receipt requested, of its intention to expropriate the property pursuant to this Part. The letter of notification shall also inform the owner that if, within fifteen days after being served with the notice of suit, he does not object to the taking on the ground that it is not for a public purpose, he will waive all defenses to the taking except claims for compensation or damages. A copy of this Part shall be enclosed with the letter of notification. C. Except as otherwise provided in this Part, such expropriation by the governing authority shall be conducted in the manner that the Department of Transportation and Development may expropriate property for highway purposes, as set forth in R.S. 48:441 through 460. D. As used in this Part, the term "property" means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property; the term "governing authority" means the city of Lafayette and parish of Lafayette; and the term "project" means the Kaliste Saloom Road Widening Project or the construction, repair, or enhancement of drainage, roads, or bridges. Acts 2009, No. 19, §1, eff. June 12, 2009; Acts 2018, No. 419, §1.