California Eminent Domain Report

There's an odd story unfolding in Mendocino County's Brooktrails Township.  It dates back to when Lake Emily was originally built in 1972, where its development apparently resulted in the partial taking of a number of properties.  But the township never paid for the acquisitions.  It is unclear how or why the owners let this slide.  (My first thought was perhaps no one noticed; but the takings were rather large -- one owner alone lost 1,300 square feet of property.)

Fast forward to more than thirty years later.  In 2006, the township decided to raise Lake Emily several feet, which would further ...

The City of Fremont announced that it plans to condemn a small, 1,249 square foot property located at the corner of Warren Avenue and Kato Road in order to facilitate its Warren Avenue Grade Separation Project.

There's nothing particularly notable about the announcement, except for a potential regulatory overlay.  The parcel is apparently owned by AT&T Communications, and even though the property currently lies vacant, AT&T is apparently taking the position that it cannot agree to any deal with the City without first obtaining approval from the California Public Utilities ...