Piccola, Lawmakers, Interest Groups Target Eminent Domain In PA

Piccola, Lawmakers, Interest Groups Target Eminent Domain In PA

Thursday October 13, 2005 2:50pm

Reporter: Dennis Buterbaugh

Posted By: Katie McCarthy

Harrisburg, PA - Senate Majority Whip Jeffrey Piccola (R-15) held a press conference on Thursday to announce his support of Senate Bill 881 known as "The Property Rights Protection Act."

It's in response to the US Supreme Court's decision in the case eminent domain case of Kelo v. City of New London. Piccola unveiled this legislation to address the court's decision regarding whether cities can seize a person's property and transfer it to private developers whose projects could boost an ailing local economy.

A recent case involving eminent domain was Cramer's Airport parking. Pennsylvania is suing the owner of Harrisburg International Airport. It's to stop HIA from seizing Cramer's Airport Parking through eminent domain. The lot is the only one near the airport that's not owned by the Susquehanna Regional Airport Authority. The lawsuit claims HIA is violating anti-trust laws by trying to create a monopoly. It also says airport parking lots operate below capacity and HIA already owns land it can use to expand.

And speaking of eminent domain - York County may use eminent domain to seize more than 500 acres of land. The land is known as Lauxmont Farms, a scenic area that overlooks the Susquehanna River in Lower Windsor Township. The family that owns the land is in debt and vows to fight any seizure of their property.

Two of the three York County Commissioners want to turn the land into a park. They voted Wednesday night to advertise their intentions to seize the land. A final vote will take place within two months.

Copyright 2005 Harrisburg Television, Inc.

Vice Chairman of Voter Education

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