We were all set to write up the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s recent opinion in Sojenhomer LLC v. Village of Egg Harbor, No. 2021AP1589 (June 19, 2024) — after all, we were already following the case — when Lawprof Ilya Somin beat us to the punch: “Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Sidewalks are not “Pedestrian
New “Spite Taking” Cert Petition: Can Govt Take Property To Stop Owner From Making An Allowed – But Disfavored – Use?
Here’s the latest in a case we’ve been following.
Our friends at the Institute for Justice have filed this cert petition asking the Supreme Court to take up the case where a New York town eminent domained the Brinkmann property for a public park.
What’s wrong with that, you ask…isn’t a public park a
(Another) Must-Listen Podcast: Infrastructure Junkies’ “The Greatest Eminent Domain Story That You’ve Never Heard!”
This one is about Robert Moses. Yeah, that guy. You may think you know the story, but even if you do, it will be worth your time to listen to this episode of Dave and Kristen’s Infrastructure Junkies podcast. You will probably learn something new like me.
Here’s the pod’s description of the episode:
New Bound by Oath Episode: Berman, Public Use, And Urban Renewal
This is a must-listen, the latest episode of John Ross’s Bound by Oath podcast. This season is covering property rights, and this episode details Berman v. Parker, which may be the first case in what we’ll call the “modern era” where the Supreme Court set the judicial hands-off tone for public use challenges.
The
Condo Forced-Sale Statute Is Not A Taking Because It Does Not Allow Picking Off Individual Units, But Requires Sale Of Entire Condo
A quick one from the Arizona Supreme Court that isn’t so much a true takings case, but more like “takings adjacent.” In our view, it well illustrates the way that takings arguments can shape how statutes are interpreted, even if there isn’t a taking.
The case — Cao v. PFP Dorsey Investments, LLC, No.
Thursday Round Up: Pretextual Takings, Squatting, Unconstitutional Conditions
Here’s what we’re reading today:
- Michael Berger, “Is a taking based on pretext constitutional?,” Daily Journal (a take on the Second Circuit’s recent decision holding that a property owner could not assert a pretext claim where the allegedly pretextual use did not confer a private benefit.
- Christian Britschgi, “Are ‘Squatters’ Rights’ Out
Vermont: It Doesn’t Matter If Property Owner Realizes That Cashing A Check For Estimated Compensation Waives Public Use Challenge
Under many (most?) state eminent domain schemes, if a property owner withdraws the condemnor’s deposit prior to the judgment of condemnation, the owner waives — or, more technically, forfeits — the ability to challenge public use and necessity.
Vermont is no different, and under its statute, waiver is triggered by the owner’s “acceptance and
NY App Div: Yes, We Previously Said This Taking Wasn’t For A Public Use, But Now The Condemnor Has A Plan
The New York Supreme Court Appellate Division’s opinion in HBC Victor LLC v. Town of Victor, No. 23-01347 (Mar. 22, 2024) marks the second time the issue of whether the Town can seize HBC’s property by eminent domain.
The first time out the court shot down the taking, concluding that it lacked a valid
It’s OK To Do Good Things For Bad Reasons: CA2 On Spite Takings – As Long As Taking Is For A Public Use, The Real Reason Is Irrelevant
In Brinkmann v. Town of Southold, No. 22-2722 (Mar. 13, 2024), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit addressed a longstanding issue left unresolved by the Supreme Court in Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005): is it enough that a condemnor’s professed use qualifies as a public
Pass A Good Time: Our Report From The 41st ALI-CLE Eminent Domain & Land Valuation Litigation Conference, Feb 1-3, 2024, New Orleans
When it comes to the longstanding ALI-CLE American Law Institute-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation Conferences, we’re always ready to go. You know that. But this year’s version — the 41st — was buzzing like no other in recent memory.
Maybe it was the New Orleans venue with its atmo, food, and music for