“Don’t Tread on Me,” Say Edgewater Residents
The citizens of Edgewater have taken the initiative to codify their concerns over eminent domain in a brand new Home Rule Charter, helped shaped by attorney Bob Hoban and senior fellow Dennis Polhill.
The provisions of the new charter essentially double the amounts paid to property owners if their land is taken using eminent domain and later sold to private developers. in effect, the language balances the need for government to use eminent domain power for public infrastructure, but heavily dis-incents misuse of eminent domain for private development.
Councilman Adam Gardner summed it up best by saying,
My only hope is that this action serves as a reminder to governments across Colorado that they do not have the last word on eminent domain. The people have the last say, if they will only stand up and be counted.
In addition to that, my hope is that other municipalities use this charter as precedent to establish better protections for property rights in their hometowns.
