Eminent Domain Report

Last Friday I spoke at the CLE Eminent Domain Conference in San Francisco.  The topic of my talk was "The Death And Possible Rebirth of Redevelopment in California."  I spoke on the current state of limbo in which redevelopment agencies find themselves as a result of the passage of ABX1 26 and ABX1 27 and the ensuing lawsuit challenging their constitutionality.  While I mentioned that the California Supreme Court would be hearing arguments on November 10th, I neglected to mention how to access the webcast of the proceedings.  For those interested in watching the arguments, direct ...

As you may recall, we've been closely following an eminent domain action pending in Sacramento County Superior Court involving the Rancho Cordova Redevelopment Agency.  The case involves the RDA's efforts to acquire a 9-acre site owned by the Lily Company.  After the property owner lost its challenge to the RDA's right to take the property, the case proceeded to a jury trial with respect to the property's value.  The results are in, and it's not a happy ending (at least so far) for the RDA. 

The Sacramento Bee reports in its article, "Price tag sky rockets for Rancho Cordova in land ...

Anyone involved in the right-of-way industry understands that communication is key.  Whether you are on the side of a property owner or a public agency, a forced acquisition of property is never comfortable.  But being straightforward and opening an honest dialogue usually goes a long way.  Public agencies and their agents should be prepared to explain the need for the public project, the details of the take, the potential impacts, and how the value of the property was determined.

A perfect example of what happens when there is miscommunication is highlighted in a Redding.com article by ...

When we think of some of the most well-recognized and controversial decisions from our judicial system, cases like Roe v. Wade (abortion) and Dred Scott v. Sandford (slavery) come to mind.  Within our group of right of way professionals, we obviously think Kelo v. City of New London is a huge deal, as it allows for the use of eminent domain for purely economic purposes.  But does it rank up there with the others?  It does, according to US Supreme Court Justice Scalia.

According to an ABA Journal article, Justice Scalia was recently speaking to a group of students at Chicago-Kent School of Law ...

Most of us in the right of way profession are following closely the redevelopment lawsuit pending before the California Supreme Court.  The decision could have widespread implications.  So, to keep you fully informed, here's another quick update.

Yesterday, the California Supreme Court announced it will hear oral argument from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2011.  For those of you up north who are keen on seeing the event in person, oral argument will be taking place at the Supreme Court Courtroom, Earl Warren Building, Fourth Floor, 350 McAllister Street, San ...

Many times before a government agency actually commits itself to moving forward with acquiring a property for a public project, the agency needs to undertake certain testing at the site to make sure the site is viable and feasible.  After all, no agency wants to unknowingly be stuck with a contaminated property or one that cannot support the proposed use.  The testing involved usually involves various degrees of soil sampling and boring. 

Public agencies typically seek permission from the owner of the property in question to conduct the testing.  But what happens when the ...

Want the scoop on what future challenges local government agencies face with respect to eminent domain and redevelopment?  Want to hear from some of the most well-recognized eminent domain attorneys across the nation?  Want to get some CLE credit?  Want to get all your questions answered?  Want to do it all from your desk, in a short one-and-a-half hour presentation?

Come join us on Thursday, December 1, at 10 a.m. (PST) for the online seminar, "Eminent Domain: Redevelopment Challenges for Local Government, Navigating Federal Funding Requirements, Challenges for Public ...

As recently reported by Jason Plautz at E&E in his article "Bipartisan lawmakers seek $13.8B for infrastructure improvements," members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are discussing a potential bipartisan bill that would provide approximately $13.8 billion in funding for wastewater infrastructure projects, and several billion in alternative financing for clean water infrastructure projects. 

According to the draft bill summary, the bill would "create thousands of new, domestic jobs in the construction and wastewater-support sectors through ...

I wanted to provide a quick update on what is going on in the lawsuits involving ABX1 26 and ABX1 27.  For those trying to keep score on who stands where, the following is a list of the amicus briefs that have been filed. 

In support of the CRA / League of Cities' position, seeking to overturn the laws:

• Association of California Cities - Orange
• City of Irvine
• Long Beach
• Public Interest Law Western Center
• San Bernardino County
• Southern California Coalition
• Southern California Non Profit Housing
• Riverside County

In support of the State's position, seeking to uphold the laws:

• Affordable Housing ...

The use of eminent domain in a declining real estate market presents a number of unique issues.  I often receive calls from property owners who are frustrated with the government's timing of condemnation proceedings, and want to know how they can get market-peak-values for their property. 

This issue was the hot topic of a previous IRWA seminar I chaired, Property Acquisition, Appraisal, and Relocation in an Upside Down Market.  And a recent blog post by the Weiss Serota Helfman law firm, Eminent Domain Valuation in a Falling Market Poses Questions for ...