Eminent domain off the table for urban renewal in Littleton
“The debate over urban renewal and eminent domain continues to simmer in Littleton.
Previously, a group began collecting signatures for a ballot petition that would allow Littleton residents to vote on condemnation and tax increment financing proposed by Littleton’s recently revived urban renewal authority, Littleton Invests for Tomorrow.
The group, Sunshine Boys and Citizens for Rational Development, wants to put in the city charter a right to vote on condemnation of properties selected for blight by the city’s urban renewal authority.
Now the Littleton City Council has voted not to use eminent domain or condemnation.
“Council wanted to send a message to the citizens … that under no circumstances was council going to condemn or use eminent domain as any way connected to the urban renewal authority,” said Councilman Randy Stein.
Paul Bingham, a member of the petition group, said his group plans to keep the condemnation and eminent domain language in the November ballot initiative. The citizens group also wants to prohibit the use of tax increment financing by the urban renewal authority.”
Woullard, Clayton. Denver Post 9 October 2014.