Evolving media: Legal blog departs Washington Post for libertarian territory
“The once rigid edifice of traditional media continues to evolve, driven by changing attitudes of both news consumers and those who actually produce the original content. Media hybrids are emerging, attuned to people rather…
Union Township man challenging plan by Geigertown Area Joint Authority for his property
“A Union Township man is challenging the Geigertown Area Joint Authority’s plans to install a sewer pump station on his property. Richard C. Wallace, 68, is one of nine property owners whose land has been…
Council delays land bank, allocates $75K for landlord fund
“The Charlottesville City Council has delayed the creation of a public-private, nonprofit land bank corporation, but has agreed to allocate $75,000 to a new city Landlord Risk Reduction Fund. After the council adopted a resolution…
Eminent domain unsettles residents
“The City of Oakley’s plan to use eminent domain to remove seven homes at 3486 Main St. to make way for roadways, sidewalks and other future projects, has residents living on the property fearful of…
Sandy Springs Council kills LED billboard proposal
“… The city’s immediate billboard problem involves signs on the triangle of land at the intersection of Mount Vernon Highway and Johnson Ferry and Roswell roads. The city recently purchased the land, partly for a…
Atlantic Coast Pipeline to take landowners to court to clear way for 600-mile project
“The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is preparing to sue uncooperative property owners to gain access to their land so it can build a 600-mile natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to North Carolina. The energy consortium,…
When Condemnation Actions Go Wrong
“In the vast majority of cases, when a public agency exercises eminent domain, the only issue in dispute is the amount of just compensation the agency must pay for the property being acquired. Even in…
A loss for property rights in Murr v. Wisconsin
“The Supreme Court just issued its decision in Murr v. Wisconsin, by far the most important property rights case of the term. The opinion is both a setback for constitutional property rights and likely…
Joseph P. MURR, et al., Petitioners v. WISCONSIN, et al.
“The St. Croix River, which forms part of the boundary between Wisconsin and Minnesota, is protected under federal, state, and local law. Petitioners own two adjacent lots — Lot E and Lot F —…
Pipeline finds a peaceful path
“The largest energy-infrastructure business on this continent was trying to use eminent domain to grab a route for a new pipeline, Utopia East. But in October, Judge Robert Pollex of the Wood County Court of…