Business owners don’t want to budge: The Fresno Bee, 9/23/07
By Matt Leedy The Baskin family has been fixing up car seats and selling parts in downtown Fresno for 90 years, and fourth-generation owner Bruce Baskin has no interest in moving the business.His voice and temper rise when he talks about eminent domain and the city’s plans to replace Baskin’s Auto Supply and other… Read more »
Money flows into competing eminent domain measures: Capitol Weekly, 9/20/07
By Malcolm Maclachlan Republicans were able to head off a Democrat-backed eminent domain measure in the closing days of session last week, despite a huge lobbying blitz by the League of California Cities and other proponents. The measure’s supporters say Republicans got most of what they wanted in amendment negotiations–and probably shot themselves in the… Read more »
Council to vote on eminent domain: Ventura County Star, 9/17/07
By Anna Bakalis On the heels of a report suggesting one-third of the properties in Moorpark’s project area are blighted, the City Council is set to vote Wednesday night on reinstating eminent domain authority. The council is expected to consider and adopt eminent domain authority over the city’s project area — about 1,200 acres, including… Read more »
Condemnation Clauses in Real Estate Agreements: Los Angeles Lawyer, 9/2005
By Glenn L. Block and Robert T. Flick Certain client instructions should alert counsel to consider taking a different tack. Real estate practitioners must be particularly wary when they hear, “Don’t nit pick the document, just make the deal.” Or, “Forget about the condemnation provision—this property will never be taken.” Wise counsel know that… Read more »
Eminent domain mulled for parcel: Crescenta Valley Sun, 9/7/07
By Charles Cooper Photo by Mary O’Keefe The city of Glendale is apparently approaching the point when some legal decisions can be reached on the future of Mountain Oaks, a 40-acre open space parcel in La Crescenta. Those decisions could include the possible use of eminent domain by the city, according to attorney and Mayor… Read more »
Bill targets government condemnation power: North County Times, 9/7/07
By Dave Downey A proposed amendment to the state constitution that would bar cities and counties from condemning homes, churches or small businesses so they could be bulldozed to pave the way for private development is headed for a key vote. The state Assembly is expected to take up the bill, Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8,… Read more »
Senate OKs flood control bill: Appeal-Democrat, 9/6/07
By Robert LaHue A controversial flood control bill cleared the state Senate on Wednesday and is headed to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. AB 930, by Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, will give the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency the power to acquire land easements, including those outside SAFCA boundaries. The bill passed the Senate 24-11, with all… Read more »
Downey to use eminent domain on corner site: Los Angeles Wave, 8/30/07
By Arnold Adler DOWNEY — The City Council Tuesday night unanimously authorized the use of eminent domain to force property owners to sell the city some 896 square feet of right-of-way to continue the $19 million Lakewood Boulevard widening project. Public Works Director Desi Alvarez said the property, currently containing parking and landscaping, is the… Read more »
Developer won’t oust popular gym; he’ll build project around it: Union Tribune, 8/30/07
By Tanya Sierra NATIONAL CITY – A developer proposing a block-long housing and retail project that includes a 24-story condominium tower has said he no longer wants to displace a popular National City athletic center. But that’s not stopping the gym’s lawyers from challenging the city’s eminent domain authority. Jim Beauchamp said this week that… Read more »
Downtown Fresno Businesses Not Yet Worried About Forest City Project: ABC30, 8/27/07
By Maureen Naylor The Fresno city council Tuesday will decide if it wants to move forward on a new Forest City plan to develop an area in downtown Fresno. Plans call for a major makeover along Mono Street, apartments for 2,000 people, with roundabouts, fountains and a park. But for this to happen the city… Read more »