SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City property owner says he’ll be representing himself in court as the city tries to gain title to some of his land that the city says it needs for a recreational trail. Brad Lepper told the Sioux City Journal that he’s concerned about safety for his family and his tenants if the trail runs through the backyards of some rental town homes he owns and a side yard of his own home.

The City Council voted to take the land under eminent domain when he and officials couldn’t agree on the trail route. Lepper rejected the city’s first offer of under $16,500. The county compensation commission then set a price of $34,000, which the city rejected as too high and filed an appeal to Woodbury County District Court.