COSTA MESA

The City Council voted unanimously Monday to declare it necessary to buy three properties to widen West 17th Street. The action, a prelude to the city’s use of its eminent domain power, came despite opposition from one property owner. The properties--Michael’s at 610 W. 17th St., Staples at 612 W. 17th St. and Del Taco at 1720 Superior Ave.--are needed to widen 17th Street from Newport Boulevard to about 500 feet west of Superior Avenue.

City staff has been negotiating for about a year and needed council action to proceed. The council approved buying 2,052 square feet of land in front of the Staples store for more than $50,000. The city has offered $18,000 to the owners of Michael’s for 660 square feet and $48,000 to the owner of Del Taco for 1,550 square feet. Del Taco owner Rollo McClellan has objected, saying that offer was not high enough, according to staff reports.