Eminent domain clarified

By staff and wire reports
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Friday, May 5, 2006

Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law a measure that generally protects property owners against the loss of their land for private development, unless it is declared a danger to public health and safety. The law allows Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Norristown, Delaware County and some other areas to seize land that already is designated as blighted until 2012 for development projects. Since a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Kelo vs. City of New London case, saying local governments have the right to seize property for private development, 18 states, including Pennsylvania, have enacted eminent domain reform laws.