The Virginia Supreme Court heard oral argument last week in Hooked Group, LLC v. City of Chesapeake . Anyone working in right of way in Virginia, particularly anyone working for or with municipalities, should pay close attention to the outcome of this case as it addresses the power to regulate traffic for public health, safety, [...]
Ever since the Supreme Court decided that economic development was a “public use” for which land could be taken by eminent domain under the Fifth Amendment in the controversial case of Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005), the landowner bar and property rights interest groups have been searching for cases to [...]
Those of us in the right of way industry get a constant earful about the horrors of our profession. Politicians, members of the media and property rights activists all decry the concept of “eminent domain,” yet frequently ignore the importance of this tool to our economic vitality. A strong economy, jobs, and ultimately paychecks begin [...]