California Eminent Domain Report

One of the big issues in eminent domain over the past five years has been the role of blight in justifying eminent domain for redevelopment purposes.  The seminal decision (that started all the ruckus) -- Kelo v. City of New London -- involved the use of eminent domain for redevelopment purposes where the city did not even pretend it was acting to eliminate blight.

Kelo had little direct impact on California's eminent domain law, because even before the Supreme Court issued its opinion in 2005, California's law allowed eminent domain for redevelopment purposes only upon a proper showing ...

According to a Contra Costa Times article, "Bellflower may expand redevelopment area, hopes to add $42 million to city coffers," the City of Bellflower has approved proceeding with a study to potentially expand its redevelopment area to include an additional 271 acres.  The City hopes that the proposed redevelopment -- through increased property tax revenues -- could generate over $40 million for the City over the next 45 years.

The article reports that a number of hurdles must be cleared before the expansion area is approved.  For example, the City would need to obtain approval from ...