BURBANK : Airport Moves Toward Condemning Property

After eight years of fruitless negotiations, the Burbank Airport Authority took the first step Monday toward condemning a portion of private property the authority wants for a taxiway.

The 14,262-square-foot parcel, part of a construction firm owned by Robert Hensler of Glendale, is sought by the authority so that aircraft can roll unimpeded to the north end of the north-south runway.

The property juts out into the taxiway on the east side of the runway, forcing pilots who want to go to the north end to cross to the east side taxiway.

Airport officials said they have tried to negotiate purchasing the land for eight years and recently offered Hensler $193,732 for the property, or about $14 per square foot. He has not responded to the offer.

“We are poles apart in discussing a solution to this,” said Robert W. Garcin, president of the airport authority.

The resolution adopted Monday gives notice to all interested parties that the agency is considering condemnation proceedings to acquire the property. The authority will meet July 19 at 9 a.m. to decide whether to begin a condemnation action on the land.