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12/17/2005

Eminent domain restrictions fail: (St Paul MN) Pioneer Press, 12/7/05

By Steve Scott

Roseville's City Council has turned back an attempt by Council Member Amy Ihlan to pass an ordinance restricting the city's use of eminent domain.

Ihlan asked the council Monday to consider a policy barring the city from acquiring property for private development or redevelopment and to limit the transfer of such land to private uses for at least 10 years.

She sought to head off the next anticipated vote on the city's Twin Lakes project.
"I hoped a full policy discussion would happen first, before we're asked to actually vote on whether to use eminent domain in Twin Lakes," said Ihlan, a vehement opponent of that northwest Roseville redevelopment.

Mayor Craig Klausing asked Ihlan to frame Monday's council discussion as a formal motion, which was defeated 3 to 2.

Council Member Tom Kough supported Ihlan's proposal.

"There are valid concerns here, but you take action on eminent domain as a council when particular requests come before the council," Klausing said.

Controversy over eminent domain intensified after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that local governments could force out property owners to make way for private development.


Pioneer Press: www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress

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