UPDATE: The recommendation to Chatham-Kent council to start the expropriation process for the affected properties at the intersection of Merlin Road and Queen’s Line was approved as part of the consent agenda at the meeting on Monday, March 27, 2023.

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The temperature could soon be turned up on two landowners in Chatham-Kent who have rejected offers by the municipality to buy land for a roundabout at Queen’s Line and Merlin Road west of Chatham.

The municipality said several unsuccessful attempts have been made to negotiate a deal with the property owners east of Merlin Road and to the north and south of Queen’s Line to buy two small strips of their land needed for the project.

“Legal Services contacted the property owners of 23115 Merlin Road and 5657 Queen’s Line in June 2022 to advise of the need to acquire small portions of their properties to construct the roundabout. Legal Services and Engineering Services jointly attempted to negotiate with the property owners, however, after approximately 7 months, the owners have not accepted any of the offers made by the Municipality,” stated a report going to council Monday evening.

The author of the report, Director of Engineering Chris Thibert, said administration will continue to try to negotiate “a willing sale” of this land, but is recommending starting the expropriation process in case a negotiated settlement cannot be reached in time for the work to proceed.

Expropriation notifications will be published and notices will be provided to the affected landowners, if the expropriation recommendation is approved.

“It is recommended at this time that administration be authorized to serve and publish the Notices of Application for Approval to Expropriate Land for the Queen’s Line and Merlin Road Intersection Improvement, and to fulfill and complete all other statutory requirements of the Expropriations Act necessary to commence expropriation of the required lands,” read the report.

The properties in question are currently used for cash crop farming by the owners.

Chatham-Kent council gave the new $2.1 million roundabout the go ahead in March of 2022 after safety concerns surfaced, including drivers passing on the right-hand side of a left-turning vehicle, one of the most frequent occurrences reported to council following a traffic study.