Tug-of-War for Martins Beach Access: Possible Eminent Domain Case
Conflict between Simi Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla and those seeking public access to Martins Beach will make its way to Gov. Jerry Brown. Last week the state Senate approved Senate Bill 968 which, in essence, requires the State Land Commission to negotiate with Khosla to acquire public access to his private property. Khosla purchased the… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: California High Speed Rail Construction Slowed Down by Lack of Land
The recent approval of 160 parcels between Fresno and Kings County for segment two of the high speed rail track has stirred up some excitement for rail backers. As the California High Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) wastes no time in preparing for construction of the second segment, questions about the first segment construction arise. So… Read more »
Proposition 13: Property Tax Roll-Over in Eminent Domain Cases, 8/20/14
In 1978, California’s Proposition 13 created security for home owners by limiting property taxes to one percent of the property’s value with a maximum two percent increase for inflation of the property value in a year. The property tax is reassessed when the property is being sold or if certain improvements on the property increase… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: More Condemnation Approvals: California High Speel Rail Gears Up for More Acquisitions
On Wednesday, the State Public Works Board approved approximately 160 parcels between Fresno and Kings Counties for acquisition for the high-speed rail project. The California High Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) requested acquisition of the 160 parcels which, in addition to several hundred other parcels, they believe are necessary for the construction of the rail project…. Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: Update Part Two – Court of Appeals Decision Means Big Win for California High Speed Rail Authority
Back in April, the California High Speed Rail Authority took a hit when the State Court of Appeals denied its petition to overturn a decision by the Sacramento County Superior Court regarding CHSRA’s alleged noncompliance with the provisions of Prop 1A. On Thursday, ruling on a portion of the Superior Court decision which the Court… Read more »
Claremont to Vote on Possible Eminent Domain Action Against Private Water Company, 7/15/14
The City of Claremont is turning to its citizens to ascertain whether or not the city should forcefully take possession of the local privately owned water company, Golden State Water Co. The City Council unanimously voted that a $55 million bond measure will be placed on the November ballot relating to acquisition. As the water… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA Adds Palmdale to Burbank Track on Route
California High Speed Rail’s recent increase in activity in the Central Valley has caused some rail backers and opponents to voice their dissatisfaction with the “train to nowhere” plan. Both groups have taken the position that starting the high speed bullet train in the Central Valley has no benefit. The dissatisfaction has caused a political… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: Valley GOP Rally House to Put an End to High-Speed Rail
The GOP is rallying its troops in an effort to throw the California High Speed Rail project off its tracks. Efforts to do so, however, have been met with the full-blown resistance of the rail backers; they are not giving up their high-speed train without a fight. Valley GOP delegates are deploying a transportation funding… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA Receives a Record of Decision from Federal Railroad Administration, Fresno-Bakersfield Tracks Approved
On Friday the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the 114 mile high speed rail track from Fresno to Bakersfield. The DOR reflects the FRA’s adaptation of a preferred alternative to the track which was outlined in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. The FRA chose the alternative track alignment in… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA Gives Thumbs Up on Fresno-Bakersfield Track
On May 7, California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) board members voted on the next section of the rail project. The two-part vote resulted in the approval of the 114-mile route from downtown Fresno to the northern outskirts of Bakersfield. The first part of the vote was dedicated to the 20,000 page Environmental Impact Report… Read more »