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Bill Bateman always dreamed of having his own farm.

His dream became a reality when his family acquired the former Kendi Farm in April 2013.

Tucked within the thickness of trees on Kendi Road in Upper Tyrone Township, the 194-acre tract with 180 acres preserved offers a tranquil lifestyle for Bateman, wife, Lisa, and their family.

With major plans for changes to nearby U.S. Route 119 that include property acquisition and construction of a roundabout within several years, PennDOT could impose on that dream.

So many farms are drying up, Lisa Bateman said, You cant get the ground back once it is gone. What PennDOT sees is taking 6 acres.

But 6 acres in Fayette County compares differently than in Westmoreland County. And we will lose access to between 25 to 30 acres. Well lose three pasture fields.

The Batemans met with state Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32), Fayette County Farm Bureau President Darrell Becker and Farm Bureau official Andy Bater to express concerns.

This is going to affect everything right down to my dogs, Lisa Bateman said. It took forever to preserve the farm.

Becker said the Farm Bureau is trying to change the practice of governmental land acquisition through eminent domain.

Eminent domain refers to the power of the government to take private property and convert it to public use, referred to as a taking, according to the Cornell Law School website.

The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that the government may only exercise this power if it provides just compensation to the property owners, the site states.

Becker said state Sen. Chris Dush supports efforts to ensure proper reimbursement to property owners when faced with eminent domain situations.

Dush is a Centre County Republican representing the 25th Senate District.

Stefano said the situation is just adding another straw to the camels back.

Becker said state census figures have shown farm acreage has declined in recent years.

Stefano said future plans for PennDOT are to create more limited-access highways, because of the way people drive.

We have got to get to the point where someone has to be educated and think further down the line, Lisa Bateman said. We just want a decent life, and too many farmers are facing this.

Bater said the challenge of transportation is to make sure that farms are made whole for all collateral impact.

Bill Bateman said the farm had initially been sold by the Kendi family to a firm planning to develop an industrial park.

A petition circulated by township residents drew enough support to block those plans, he added.

Stefano said another public meeting or two are likely before PennDOT can begin work on the project. He said the earliest work could begin would be in 2025.

The Batemans have not received a monetary offer from PennDOT for acquisition of the 6-acre tract.

Stefano said a PennDOT offer made to the owners of the Galley garage property along Mt. Pleasant Road was refused.

I have a real problem with this heavy-handed government, he said.

Paul S. Brittain is a Daily Courier staff writer. He can be reached at psbritt@cvzoom.net.

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