California Eminent Domain Report

We've previously reported on several cities contemplating the renewal of their redevelopment agencies' powers of eminent domain.  In the cities of San Pablo and Barstow, it appears that public outcry may have derailed those renewal efforts, at least for now.  Here's a brief update:

• We previously reported that the City of San Pablo was contemplating renewing its eminent domain powers for an additional 12 years.  According to a Mercury News article, "San Pablo dumps eminent domain plans," the City has dropped its redevelopment renewal plans after residents turned up with "a ...

Over the past month, we have reported on a number of potential projects involving the use of eminent domain.  For anyone following these projects, here is a quick update:

• On March 19, we reported that the City of San Pablo was contemplating renewing the City's eminent domain powers for an additional 12 years while promising compliance with Proposition 99.  According to a Mercury News article, this week the City postponed reaching a decision on the renewal until at least May 3. 
• On March 24, we reported that the County of San Luis Obispo was contemplating authorizing eminent domain ...

According to a Contra Costa Times article, "San Pablo tries to quell eminent domain fears with promise to residents," the City of San Pablo has promised residents that it will not use the power of eminent domain to acquire owner-occupied residences for purposes of private development.  The promise is a bit odd, given the fact that  Proposition 99, which Caifornia voters passed in 2008, is intended to prohibit exactly that use of eminent domain.  (We'll leave aside for the moment whether Proposition 99 really does effectively prohibit the taking of residential property for ...