One Odessa is growing, the other Odessa may be facing Russian troops. Odessa, Texas is growing. A convention center and hotel development is eyed to spur economic growth in its quiet downtown. With a disinclination to use eminent domain, the fate of downtown redevelopment is firmly in the hands of business owners. [CBS7KOSA]
$2.1 M jury award. $80,000 offer.
What happens to cause a jury award to exceed an initital offer by more than $2 million?
According to lawyers its a message that jurors want pipelines to know how much damage they cause land owners.
Peregrine Pipeline Co., L.P. v. Eagle Ford Land Partners, LP, No. E-2007-00046
TPPF is on the case in 2015.
Legislating land speculation is the legislative fight du jour. It’s a big battle over property rights in the Sooner State.
Private property rights supporters love it. The business community, utilities, pipelines, and municipalities say it will handcuff the state’s ability to grow.[News OK]
This is one to watch. In Texas, the FBI is investigating right of way purchases in North Texas, which some say was land speculating because of the potential use of eminent domain while constructing I-35E. [Denton Record]
If you have a sore throat and don’t want to talk; ask a lawyer these land use questions. You can rest your voice and day dream as loquaciousness overcomes the lawyer:
What do you make of the Nevada rancher who grazed his cattle on federal lands for several decades? Do you think the rancher has an adverse possession claim? estoppel? Was the seizure of cattle in the midst of armed Nevadans Constitutional? [Washington Post]
When talking to Texas lawyers about eminent domain:
The motion for re-hearing filed this week in Crawford Family v. Keystone was wild, right? Courts misinterpreting the Texas Legislature; culminating in “absurd results.” Say it isn’t so.
Concerned about the 2015 eminent domain bills?
Be happy Texas isn’t California where pre-condemntation surveying and impact testing took a hit. If a condemning entity wants onto land to look around, they have to condemn it first according to a new Appellate Ruling that halted the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. California Supremes will have the ultimate word. [Property Reserve Inc. et. al. v. Department of Water Resources et. al]
At cocktail parties, say: Have you seen Kevin Spacey in House of Cards?
Maryland is threatening eminent domain to claim land used by House of Cards, the Award winning Netflix political series. Frank Underwood, the slippery protagonist, would not be amused. [Washington Post]