California Supreme Court Restores Public Agencies’ Ability to Conduct Surveys Without First Filing Eminent Domain
On Thursday of last week, the California Supreme Court in the case Property Reserve, Inc. v. Superior Court of San Joaquin County ruled that government officials don’t need to go through a formal eminent domain process before they can survey private property. This decision reverses the ruling made by the Court of Appeal, which concluded… Read more »
Kelo Style Redevelopment Revived With Recent Bill Approved by Governor Brown
Recent legislation passed by the State of California moved the State closer to the return of the old redevelopment agencies and the power of the government to seize private property through the use of eminent domain. Earlier this month the Senate and the Assembly passed Assembly Bill 2, which was approved by Governor Jerry Brown… Read more »
Donald Trump Might Take Your Land?
The road to the 2016 presidential election has been full of twists with outside candidates like Ben Carson and Donald Trump leading the polls for the Republican Party. As of the time of this posting, Trump is the Republican Party’s frontrunner, and this success is making him a public target. Opponents of Trump are… Read more »
Rebirth of Redevelopment in California: Impairing Private Property Rights or Revitalization?
In a 63-13 vote, Assembly Bill 2, authored by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, passed in the California State Assembly last week. The bill allows for so-called “Community Revitalization Investment Authorities” – essentially redevelopment agencies with a different title – to acquire private property through eminent domain and make it available to big developers with the… Read more »
Redevelopment Is Back in California
Back in 2011, Governor Jerry Brown abolished redevelopment agencies in California successfully gaining $1.5 billion of the redevelopment funding to close California’s budget gap. Recently, three bills have reached the Governor’s office in an attempt to revive redevelopment in California. Gov. Brown has signed two of those bills, Senate Bill 628 and Assembly Bill 229,… Read more »
Studio City Residents and Community Groups Seek to Stop Property Owner’s Redevelopment Plains: Open Space vs. Condos
Open Space vs. Condos Proposed development of a portion of the privately-owned 17 acre Weddington Golf and Tennis, located on the banks of the Los Angeles River in Studio City, is a hot topic of debate between Studio City residents and the Weddington owners. The public golf and tennis facilities have been a neighborhood gem for… Read more »
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 »
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 »
Richmond, California Has Yet to Exercise Eminent Domain to Seize Underwater Mortgages, 6/30/14
While the city of Richmond is the first municipality to approve the concept of using eminent domain to acquire underwater mortgages, the city has yet to actually do so. The City Council has been unable to get the needed 5 out of 7 votes to go through with eminent domain proceedings. Therefore, the city is… Read more »
San Francisco Bay Commission Suing Feds to Stop Eminent Domain Attempts in Alameda County, 6/25/14
The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission is ready for a gruesome battle with the federal General Service Administration over McKay Avenue in the county of Alameda. The Commission’s decision to challenge GSA’s exercise of eminent domain to acquire McKay Avenue was reached during a closed session meeting held on June 5th. After the… Read more »