Over a year ago, I highlighted
an eminent domain abuse case in Virginia. To recap: The Norfolk Redevelopment
and Housing Authority and Old Dominion University conspired to seize private
property to support ODU’s expansion efforts. One affected property owner, Bob
Wilson, was justifiably upset by the land grab and hung a banner on the side of
his business protesting the city’s actions. City inspectors then found the
banner to be too large, ordering Wilson to remove the banner or face a $1,000
per day fine. Wilson fought both the eminent domain condemnation and the banner
take-down order, being represented by our friends at the Institute for Justice
in the latter case.
Wilson’s First Amendment case is still pending, but
fortunately he is now only fighting one battle against government overreach.
Last week, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled
that the city’s condemnations of property owned by Wilson and others was
illegal, reversing a lower court ruling. ODU was ordered
to return the property it had received through seizure to its rightful
owners. The ruling now threatens other ODU land grabs, which have become
endemic under the university’s aggressive expansion plans…..To Read More…..
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