AN ACT amending the charter of the city of durham to authorize the city to condemn or acquire property necessary to provide transportation project rights‑of‑way for the relocation of utilities.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Section 74 of the Charter of the City of Durham, being Chapter 671 of the Session Laws of 1975, as amended, is amended by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

Sec. 74. Optional Condemnation Procedures. – In addition to any other authority for the condemnation of property which is given to the City by General or Special Law, the City shall be authorized to:

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(3)        In order to prevent undue delay of City transportation projects because of utility conflicts, condemn or acquire property in fee or appropriate easements necessary to provide transportation project rights‑of‑way for the relocation of utilities when required in the construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of a City transportation project. The City shall also have the authority to, in its discretion, acquire rights‑of‑way necessary for the present or future placement of utilities.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.