2006.03.20 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

t SAMPLE LETTER TO LEGISLATORS Date: The Honorable Minnesota House of Representatives/Minnesota Senate Address City, State, Zip Dear Representative/Senator As you know, eminent domain has been a lively topic since the recent Kelo vs. New London Supreme Court decision upheld local government eminent domain authority to acquire property for a private use. While the Kelo decision did not expand Minnesota's eminent domain authority in any way, several bills will be introduced in the upcoming session to restrict local government eminent domain authority. Although these bills are the result of perceived abuses, cities use eminent domain sparingly and responsibly. Some facts from a League of Minnesota Cities survey: • 535 cities (84% of respondents) did not use eminent domain for any purpose from January 1999 through June 2005. • 100 cities (16% of respondents) used eminent domain in that period. Of those: ➢ 66 used eminent domain exclusively for public retention and use such as roads, utilities, and parks. ➢ 34 used eminent domain for blight or contamination removal or economic development (27 were in the core cities, inner ring suburbs or older metro area, and seven were in Greater Minnesota). The Twin Cities area enjoys a reputation as one of the most livable metro areas in the nation. This is not by accident. Civic and business leaders have devoted significant resources to support the revitalization of our metropolitan area. The beneficiaries are not only people employed in the new businesses and people who live in the new housing. They are neighboring businesses and residents. These individuals and businesses have invested in their properties and trust their municipal government to do what it can to protect that investment. When considering eminent domain legislation, we encourage you to consider the importance of redevelopment to the long-term economic and social viability of our metro area. Serious restrictions of eminent domain will very likely have serious negative consequences for these efforts. Many eminent domain actions are non-controversial and initiated to arrive at an agreeable price or tax break for a seller. It is always used as a last resort. Nevertheless, eminent domain is an important component of a city's redevelopment toolbox. We strongly encourage you to give careful review to all proposed anti-eminent domain bills this session. We would be happy to discuss this important issue with you at your convenience. Sincerely, Name City of Association of Metropolitan Municipalities and the League of Minnesota Cities 145 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55103-2044 AMM: (651)215-4000 LMC: (651)281-1200