InfoHive – Eminent Domain

What is happening? This November voters in San Francisco and Berkeley approved a tax on vacant properties. The goal was to tame property speculators and to make more properties available to rent. The tax is aimed directly at “investors who profit from housing without adding to supply. ” San Francisco’s vacancy tax is modeled after Vancouvers which since 2016 has raised more than $86 million for affordable housing programs.

Why is this important? Tax revenues from the vacancy tax in San Francisco will fund rental subsidies for low-income tenants & affordable housing. 

Governing | Cities Like Vacancy Taxes, Despite Mixed Results

What is happening? Boston will use $60 million in federal pandemic relief money to make 150 municipal properties available for affordable housing. In 2023, 70 RFPs will be available for developers. The properties that will be flipped into affordable housing were acquired by tax foreclosures, “urban renewal” initiatives and highway projects.

Why is this important? Boston is addressing the severe shortage of homes to buy and rent. 

Route Fifty | A Plan to Use City Property for Affordable Housing

What is happening? A ban on short term rentals in La Quinta, California appears to have very narrowly failed. If it ultimately passes,  La Quinta would join other cities in the Coachella Valley such as Rancho Mirage in prohibiting short term rentals.

Palm Springs Desert Sun | Election results: La Quinta short-term rental ban now trailing by 126 votes

What is happening? California enacted AB 2011 (2022 | CA) that offers incentives for affordable housing developments on property of underutilized retail spaces.

Why is this important? It’s creative. It reflects a COVID world where work-home dynamic has shifted.

Bond Buyer | Cities in California will surf a wave of land-use changes

What is happening? Iowa is popular stomping grounds for property rights supporters that oppose pipelines. Currently it is a proposed carbon pipeline that Morgan County, Iowa commissioners voted to NOT allow eminent domain for the carbon pipeline.

Why is this important? The opposition to using eminent domain for this carbon pipeline owned by a private company. It should not shock many to hear about opposition to a private company seizing land by eminent domain.

Journal Courier | Morgan commissioners sign resolution against use of eminent domain for pipeline

Voters in Los Angeles County appear to have approved a measure to add a fee to the sale of homes above $5 million to support programs for homelessness and affordable housing.

Governing | Mixed Results for City Initiatives as Local Election Results Trickle In

What is happening? Culver City, CA voters were asked whether to allow people as young as 16 to vote in local elections. Like much o the nation, still awaiting California results. Maryland has 6 local jurisdictions that allow 16 year olds to vote on local matters.

@Vote16CC

Governing | Should 16-Year-Olds Get to Vote? Culver City Will Decide.

What is happening? Iowa newspaper polled all candidates from US Senate & Congress on whether they support eminent domain for carbon pipelines. All 10 candidates either dodged the question and said it isn’t in my purview or said eminent domain is a concern.

Why is this important? Still not cool to say – yes I love eminent domain.

Iowa Capital Dispatch | Iowa’s congressional candidates answer questions on agriculture

What is happening? 67% of New Yorkers support requiring indoor air quality monitors in the building code to provide an alert for outbreaks.

Why is this important? As we work through COVID, policies turn toward the next pandemic and policies to assist with managing it.

Data for Progress | New York Voters Support Changing the Building Code to Require Indoor Air Quality Monitors

What is happening? Fairfax County Virginia Board of Supervisors created a pilot program, “Charge Up Fairfax” to help HOAs adapt to the EV world. The program will “provide support to homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and multi-family communities to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in common areas.”

Why is this important? This program fits with the County’s goal to have 42% EVs by 2050.

FFX Now | County plans to get more HOAs on board with electric vehicle chargers, starting in Reston