Council Members Look to Take on Eminent Domain
A number of City Council members say they’re going to try to get the state to change its eminent domain laws, according to an article in City Hall. Leading the charge is Council member Letitia James, who has been a vocal critic of Atlantic Yards. James says a Council drive to influence Albany is a…
A number of City Council members say they’re going to try to get the state to change its eminent domain laws, according to an article in City Hall. Leading the charge is Council member Letitia James, who has been a vocal critic of Atlantic Yards. James says a Council drive to influence Albany is a priority and that we are opening up the door wider and wider to the abuse of eminent domain by private businesses after the Council voted to OK Columbia’s expansion plan, which involves the use of eminent domain, in December. James argues that the use of eminent domain means the city is diverted from following the 197-a process (which allows community boards to develop land-use plans for their districts) and that property owners should have more time to challenge seizures. Council Speaker Christine Quinn hasn’t made a commitment to pressing the issue in Albany, however, and a rep for Mayor Bloomberg said that Changing state eminent domain laws is not currently on our Albany agenda.
Council Members to Push for Imminent Change of State Eminent Domain Laws [City Hall]
Photo by Steve Soblick.
12:02 took the words out of my mouth. Many of those in the AY footprint who sold made double what their properties were worth. I’d love it if that happened to me. I’d take the money, buy another home and then bank or invest the remainder. Sometimes it pays to be a “victim”.
Fine for you- there’s a lot of other people who would rather keep their homes. It may shock you to learn not everyone is about money.
frankly, if Walmart gives me the very over valued prices Ratner ‘offered’ they can have my house.
11:01 – under Kelo, “blight” is not a requirement to allow an ED transfer
there are many in the council troubled by eminent domain, even Ms. Quinn:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2007/12/21/2007-12-21_politicians_fear_columbia_may_use_eminen.html
what desperately needs to be reformed are NY State’s laws concerning what is “blight.” Right now anything can be construed to be blight. and w/o reforming those laws, there is no eminent domain reform that will actually have meaning, as long as “blight” is left in the eye of the beholder.
I wish I could believe there is anything that will make them modify the AY project but it is such a steamroller I don’t see much hope. But it is important to keep the issue in the public eye. There was a lot of outrage over the Supreme Court decision and I don’t think it’s going away, nor should it.
There may well come a day when Letitia james is lauded for being the eternal protestor, especially when wal-mart takes your house for their new store. At some point the greater good will be understood to mean protecting property owners’ rights, not stripping it away to give to the mall owners.
I think it is important because to keep this issue in public view because it may still be possible to modify the AY project and strong public opinion – getting the work out on what a dirty deal it is – can do a lot to affect the final outcome.
In the end, the only council member who cares about this is Letitia James, the eternal protestor. But 9:43 is right, she and the others have no power over this anyway. They should spend time on things they actually can do, rather than wasting time posturing.
Pure political theater – City council has ZERO (repeat – ZERO) authority, control or input into STATE property laws surrounding ED.
The Counsel should go back to naming streets for Sonny Carson and STFU.