FARGO (KFGO) - Fargo City Commissioners have voted to proceed with eminent domain action against a homeowner in the Oakcreek subdivision on the city's south side in order to complete an earthen levee.
Gary Cavett has refused the city offer to purchase his home in the flood-prone neighborhood along Drain Number 27. Since negotiations started in 2012, 12 neighbors agreed to the buy-outs. Cavett is the lone hold-out.
Cavett, who appeared before the city commission Monday, claimed he doesn't need flood protection because his property is higher than the floodplain and past floods never touched his home. The property requires 14,000 sandbags to protect it to a level of 42 feet. The assessed value of the property is $521,600. The city had offered $675,000 for the property.
Cavett argued there are other options to protect the area. However, Mayor Tim Mahoney said the decision to build a levee was made several years ago and there are no other options. He said the city cannot protect his house any longer and if there's another flood, a dike would be put in front of his house, leaving him on the wet side. Mahoney said neighbors are tired of sandbagging and a neighborhood spokesman agreed. Gary Haynie asked residents attending the meeting to stand if they agreed with the eminent domain action to stand and they did.