Eminent Domain Abuse In Bay Area Redevelopment?

Use of minent domain for redevelopment activities in some San Francisco Bay Area cities is controversial.

1 minute read

March 7, 2005, 8:00 AM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

In light of Kelo v. New London, Carol Lloyd discusses some Bay Area cities' controversial use of eminent domain as a redevelopment tool. The State of California requires that urban redevelopment zones exhibit blight before a locality may consider eminent domain. Some local residents, especially those in locations attractive to development, believe a declaration of blight threatens their homes.

In San Jose, which Lloyd writes "declared a full third of its area 'blighted,'" the city has used the drawing of redevelopment zones as a way of directing property tax increments, including those from Silicon Valley industry, into investments for specific neighborhoods in need. However, given the possibility of eminent domain, a resident of one such redevelopment zone asks, "Do I really own my home?"

Thanks to Michael Patrick

FULL STORY: A Blight on Urban Renewal: Are Bay Area cities abusing eminent domain as a redevelopment tool?

Friday, March 4, 2005 in The San Francisco Chronicle

Government / Politics California

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