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Moorpark council rejects eminent domain proposal
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More from Other NewsThe Moorpark City Council voted to reject an amendment Wednesday night that would have given the city limited power to acquire properties in the downtown area through eminent domain.
After about three hours of public comments, the council voted 5-0 just before midnight to a still-packed council chambers.
"I feel bad that people have lost sleep over this, thinking that we were going to come in and take their homes away," Councilmember Keith Millhouse said.
Millhouse motioned to reject the amendment with Councilwoman Parvin seconding. A roll call vote was taken.
If passed, the amendment would have affected commercial and industrial properties in the 1200-acre project area.
City officials said there was misinformation circulating in the community about the aim of reinstating the authority, which would have lasted 12 years.
Eminent domain is described as the power of a public agency to forcibly acquire private property at fair market value for public use. It is used only as a last resort, officials have said.
At one point, there were an estimated 300 people in the audience, either in the council chambers or in an adjoining room, watching it on TV.
The issue of reinstating eminent domain authority has been controversial for several years. This decision puts the issue of eminent domain to rest, city officials said.
Posted by horsespinner on September 20, 2007 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom wins over socialism. This does not happen in California, we must be in Kansas
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