The Petaluma City Council approved a property swap with Regency Centers, which is building a Target shopping center on East Washington Street along Highway 101. The deal allows the city to avoid costly and time-consuming eminent domain proceedings to gain land for the Highway 101-East Washington interchange.

The Petaluma City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to proceed with eminent domain actions if purchase negotiations fall through for land surrounding the planned Highway 101 and East Washington Street interchange. The action allows the city to legally condemn the privately owned land and use it for the public interest if it can’t negotiate deals to buy the three properties.

Petaluma’s City Council will meet Tuesday to discuss eminent domain proceedings against land owners with property along Highway 101 and East Washington Street. The city is seeking to acquire portions of the properties as part of a planned Highway 101-East Washington interchange expansion.