Issue Position: Real Estate - Eminent Domain

Issue Position

Eminent Domain - (Latin: Supreme Lordship)

Property owners do not pay as much tax as a big business (unless it can declare itself as "not for profit") so some city coffers would rather take your property and replace it with a highly-taxed business. Governments have always had the right to condemn your property to make way for a road; although not in the same way as a dangerous and dilapidated old building - even new buildings can be condemned by eminent domain prior to seizure.

The 4th Amendment of the Constitution gave them this right - BUT only for public use like a road or utility. Recently the Supreme Court said it is up to the States (and possibly City Charters) to allow seizure for a casino or other lucrative business. We need to write into our City Charter to allow eminent domain only for the historic reasons of roads and other PUBLIC necessities….and only when the property owner has been fully compensated for their loss.

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