The state legislature is moving to place explicit limits on local government's power to take private land in response to the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo ruling.
"Three bills are working their way through the Montana Legislature that would limit the circumstances under which government can take private property under eminent domain.
The bills, inspired by the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo ruling, have found widespread support in an otherwise divisive session.
"I'm touchy about government overreaching its authority, and to take someone else's land because someone else will pay more taxes (on it) on it is a heinous reason," Sen. Jim Elliott, D-Trout Creek, said earlier in the session.
The U.S. Supreme Court in 2005's Kelo v. City of New London upheld a Connecticut Supreme Court ruling that determined such "takings" were legal. In the case, Susette Kelo's home stood in good shape but city officials condemned it to allow the transnational drug company Pfizer to build a research branch, which the city said would boost the local economy.
Montana courts have tended to favor private landholders in cases involving eminent domain, but the senators say their bills are necessary regardless."
FULL STORY: Montana Lawmakers Consider Narrowing Eminent Domain
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population
In a commentary published in The Mercury News, Mayor Matt Mahan describes a shelter and law enforcement approach to ending targeted homeless encampments within Northern California's largest city.
Atlanta Changes Beltline Rail Plan
City officials say they are committed to building rail connections, but are nixing a prior plan to extend the streetcar network.
Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?
The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Edmonds
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research