Transcript
Page 1: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

1

EminentDomainandKelov.CityofNewLondonOverviewInthislesson,studentswillexplorethegovernmentalpowerofeminentdomainandgainanunderstandingofitsrelationshiptotheFifthAmendment’sprotectionofprivateproperty.StudentswillwatchaDVDabouttheSupremeCourtcaseKelov.CityofNewLondonandthenparticipateinacitycouncilsimulationbasedonthecase.BystudyingtheKelocaseanditsimpactonthenation,studentswillgainadeeperunderstandingoftheconflictinginterestsinvolvedineminentdomaincases.Grades10-11NCEssentialStandardsforAmericanHistory:TheFoundingPrinciples,CivicsandEconomics• FP.C&G.2.1:Analyzethestructuresofnational,stateandlocalgovernmentsintermsofwaystheyare

organizedtomaintainorder,security,welfareofthepublicandtheprotectionofcitizens• FP.C&G.2.3:EvaluatetheU.S.Constitutionasa“livingConstitution”intermsofhowthewordsinthe

ConstitutionandBillofRightshavebeeninterpretedandappliedthroughouttheirexistence• FP.C&G.2.6:Evaluatetheauthorityfederal,stateandlocalgovernmentshaveoverindividuals’rightsand

privileges• FP.C&G.2.7:Analyzecontemporaryissuesandgovernmentalresponsesatthelocal,state,andnational

levelsintermsofhowtheypromotethepublicinterestand/orgeneralwelfare• FP.C&G.3.1:Analyzehowtheruleoflawestablisheslimitsonboththegovernedandthosewhogovern

whileholdingtruetotheidealofequalprotectionunderthelaw• FP.C&G.3.3:Analyzelawsandpoliciesintermsoftheirintendedpurposes,whohasauthoritytocreate

themandhowtheyareenforced• FP.C&G.3.6:Explainwayslawshavebeeninfluencedbypoliticalparties,constituents,interestgroups,

lobbyists,themediaandpublicopinion• FP.C&G.5.2:Analyzestateandfederalcourtsbyoutliningtheirjurisdictionsandtheadversarialnatureof

thejudicialprocessNCEssentialStandardsforAmericanHistoryII• AH2.H.2.1:Analyzekeypolitical,economic,andsocialturningpointssincetheendofReconstructionin

termsofcausesandeffects(e.g.,conflicts,legislation,elections,innovations,leadership,movements,SupremeCourtdecisions,etc.).

• AH2.H.2.2:EvaluatekeyturningpointssincetheendofReconstructionintermsoftheirlastingimpact(e.g.,conflicts,legislation,elections,innovations,leadership,movements,SupremeCourtdecisions,etc.).

EssentialQuestions• Whatiseminentdomain?• WhatrestrictionsdoestheFifthAmendmentplaceontheexerciseofeminentdomain?(“…norshall

privatepropertybetakenforpublicuse,withoutjustcompensation.”)• WhatwastheSupremeCourt’sdecisioninKelov.CityofNewLondon?• Howdoesprivateeconomicdevelopmentsatisfythe“publicuse”requirement?Materials• EminentDomainPoliticalCartoon,attached• VoicesofAmericanLawDocumentaryofKelov.CityofNewLondon

Page 2: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

2

o DVDavailableathttp://web.law.duke.edu/voices/• TelevisionandDVDPlayer• Kelov.CityofNewLondonViewer’sGuideandAnswers,attached • CityCouncilSimulationInstructions,attached• AbridgedSupremeCourtOpinion,Kelov.CityofNewLondon,attached• “RulingSetsOffTugofWarOverPrivateProperty,’attached• NorthCarolinaEminentDomainLaw,attached• “AftertheHomesareGone”,attached• “ApologyAddsAnEpilogueToKeloCase:SupremeCourtJustice'sStartlingApologyAddsHumanContext

ToToughRuling”,attachedDuration1or1½blockperiodsProcedure

IntroductiontoEminentDomain1. Asawarm-up,projecttheattachedpoliticalcartoonanddiscuss:

• Whatdoyouseehere?Whatsymbols,objects,etc.doyounoticeinthisimage?• Whatdoyouthinkthearmmightsymbolizeandwhy?• Whatdoyouthinkthispoliticalcartoonisabout?Whatmessageistheartisttryingtoconvey?

2. Mostlikely,studentswillcometotheconclusionthatthepoliticalcartoonisinsinuatingthatthe

governmentcantakeone’shome.Oncethisconcepthasbeenbroughtup,furtherdiscuss:• Whatdoesthegovernmentneedpropertyfor?(Examples:buildingorexpandingroads,utilitylines,

schools,parksandnaturepreserves,railroads,etc)• Howdoesthegovernmentgetthelanditneeds?(Generally,itofferstopurchasethelandfromthe

landowner.)• Howmuchshouldthegovernmenthavetopayforlandpurchasedduetopublicneed?• Whatifthelandownerdoesn’twanttoselllandthatthegovernmentneeds?• Whatreasonsshouldthegovernmenthavetogivebeforetakingsomeone’sproperty?

3. Atthispoint,introducetheconceptofeminentdomain.Providestudentswiththefollowingvocabulary

terms:• Condemn–toappropriate(property)forpublicuse• Eminentdomain–therightofagovernmenttoappropriateprivatepropertyforpublicuse,usually

withcompensationtotheowner• Taking–agovernmentactionassumingownershipofrealpropertybyeminentdomain

4. ExplainthattheFifthAmendmenttotheConstitutionprovidessomerestrictionsonthegovernment’s

powerofeminentdomain:“…norshallprivatepropertybetakenforpublicuse,withoutjustcompensation.”(Teachermayprojecttextfortheclasstoread.)Discuss:• Inyouropinion,whatwouldbeavalidreasonforthegovernmenttotakesomeone’spropertyfor

“publicuse?”• (Introducestudentstothetermblight:somethingthatimpairsgrowth,withershopesandambitions,

orimpedesprogressandprosperity.Askstudentstoreconsiderthequestionimaginingthatthereisareallybadneighborhoodintheirtown,or“blightedarea.”)Shouldthegovernmenttrytoimproveblightedareas?

• Howshoulditbedeterminedifanareais“blighted”?

Documentary:Kelov.CityofNewLondon

Page 3: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

3

5. TellstudentsthattheseissueswereraisedintheSupremeCourtcaseKelov.CityofNewLondon,whichstudentswillbelearningaboutbywatchingadocumentary.Whileasynopsisofthecaseisprovidedforteacherreference,studentsneednofurtherintroductiontothefilm.• TeacherReference-SynopsisoftheCase

Afteryearsofeconomicproblems,PfizerInc.offeredtobuilditsnewglobalresearchfacilityinbeleagueredNewLondon,Connecticut.CityleaderssawthisasanopportunitytoimproveNewLondon’seconomyandtaxbase,andtheysecuredstatefundingtoredeveloptheareaaroundthePfizersiteknownastheFortTrumbullneighborhood.Theareacontainedasewagetreatmentplant,abandonedrailyard,junkyard,afewbusinesses,ahistoricfortandseveralprivateresidences.TheCitysawtheareaaspoorlyplannedandunattractiveanddecidedtodevelopaplantoreplacemostoftheexistingstructureswithofficeandretailspace,aluxuryhotelandpublicspacealongthewaterway.ManyFortTrumbullresidents,however,wereunwillingtoselltheirhomes.Homeowners’protestsfailedhowever,andthecitymovedtotaketheirhomesthrougheminentdomain.Concernedaboutthedestructionoftheirneighborhoodandtheseemingindifferenceofthecity,SusetteKeloandafewotherresidentscontactedtheInstituteforJusticeandsuedthecity.ThedisputewentallthewaytotheConnecticutSupremeCourt,whichupheldthecity’sexerciseofeminentdomain.TheSupremeCourtgrantedcertiorariandeventuallyaffirmedthedecisionoftheConnecticutSupremeCourt.TheSupremeCourtreasonedthateconomicredevelopmentwasapublicpurpose,consistentwithpriorinterpretationsoftheFifthAmendment’s“publicuse”requirement.TheCourtaccordedheavydeferencetothecity’sdeterminationsaboutthepoorconditionoftheneighborhoodandthepositiveimpacttheredevelopmentwouldhave.AccordingtotheCourt,thefactthataprivateindividualbenefitsfromtheexerciseofeminentdomaindoesnotnecessarilyviolatethe“publicuse”requirement.Theremustbesomeevidenceofcorruptionorulteriormotivestoestablishaviolation.TheCourt’sdecisionprovokedwidespreadcontroversyandledseveralstatestotoughentheireminentdomainlaws(seeattachedNewYorkTimesarticle).

• ViewingOptionsThereareseveralwaysyoucanchoosetohavetheclassviewthedocumentary:o YoumaychoosetohavetheclasswatchthevideowithnopausesandhavestudentsworkontheattachedViewer’sGuidewhilewatching.

o SuggestedViewing:Youmaychoosetopausethevideoatthetimesoutlinedbelowandasktheclasstodiscussthequestionslisted.StudentsmaycompletethequestionsbelowinadditiontoorinsteadofthequestionsontheViewer’sGuide.§ DiscussionPoint#1:(Pauseat5.08;rightafterMs.Kelodescribesthecitytearingdownhomes

inherarea)Askstudentshowtheywouldfeelifthegovernmenttriedtotaketheirhomes.Woulditmakeadifferenceifthegovernmentwastryingtoimprovetheeconomyofthewholearea,asitwasinNewLondon?

§ DiscussionPoint#2:(Pauseat12.47;rightafterthedocumentaryshowsthetextfromtheConstitution)Sincestudentshaveseendetailsoftheproposeddevelopment,askthemiftheythinktheeconomicdevelopmentshouldbeconsidered“publicuse.”

MovieInterlude:NewLondonCityCouncilSimulation

6. Oncethedocumentaryreaches17.10minutes(beforethedecisionbytheNewLondonCityCouncilisannounced)stoptheDVD.TellstudentstheyarenowinchargeofdeterminingwhattodoregardingtheredevelopmentofFortTrumballbyparticipatinginacitycouncilmeetingwheretheNewLondondevelopmentplanisbeingconsidered.Dividetheclassevenlyintosixgroups.DistributetheCityCouncilandStakeholderInstructionSheetstotheappropriategroups,aswellastheRedevelopmentProposal.Allowgroups5minutestoreviewtheirinstructions.Then,explainthefollowingtosummarizethecitycouncilmeetingprocess,projectingthemeetingagendafrombelow,andacceptinganyquestionsstudentsmayhave:

Page 4: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

4

• CityCouncil:(thisgroupshouldbecomprisedof5-7students;assignastudentwithstrongleadershipskillstheroleofMayor;thisgroupshouldreceivetheCityCouncilInstructions,theNewLondonRedevelopmentPlan,andtheMeetingAgenda,attached)UndertheMayor’sleadership,youwillspendthenext20minutespreparingforyourCityCouncilmeeting.ReviewtheinstructionsandtheNewLondonRedevelopmentplanprovidedtoyou.Asacouncil,discussyourfirstimpressionsoftheredevelopmentplan.Then,reviewthemeetingagendalistingthegroupsthatwillbepresentingtoyoutoday.Inferwhatyouthinkthesegroupsmaysaytoyoutoday.Asyoudiscusseachgroup,asacouncilyoumustcreate2-3follow-upquestionsforeachgroupthatyouwillaskaftertheirpresentation.

• StakeholderGroups:(ProvidethesestudentswithStakeholdersInstructions,NewLondonRedevelopmentPlan,andtheMeetingAgenda,attached)Youwillspendthenext20ormoreminutesdevelopingapresentationtotheCityCouncil;yourgoalisfortheCounciltoeithersupportorrejecttheredevelopmentplan.Youmustfigureouthowtoprepareanorganized,creative,andmotivationalpresentation.Also,youshouldspendsometimereviewingtheagendaandanticipatingwhattheotherpresentinggroupsmightsay.Thiswillhelpyouknowwhatyouareupagainstandalsowhatyoushouldsaytocontradictthegroupswhomayopposeyou.

*Teachernote:Thissimulationisdesignedtobeentirelystudentled,withthestudentplayingtheMayorleadingthesimulation.Duringthesimulation,assistthisstudentinmovingthingsalongwhenneeded,buttrytoallowthestudentstohavecontrolofthesimulationasmuchaspossible.7. Onceallgroupsarereadytopresent,arrangetheroomsothattheMayorandCouncilmembersarefacing

theaudience.Placeanadditionaltableand/orchairsbetweentheaudienceandCouncil(facingtheCouncil).Thisiswherestudentswillcometopresent.Remindstudentsofthemeetingformat:

Mayorcallsmeetingtoorderandgivesoverview 1-2minutesPresentationfromtheNewLondonDevelopmentCorporation 3-5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesPresentationfromCoalitiontoSaveFortTrumbull 3-5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesPresentationfromthePfizerCorporation 3-5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesPresentationfromNewLondonLandmarks 3-5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesPresentationfromFortTrumbullCitizensforChange 3-5minutesFollow-upquestionsfromCityCouncil 2minutesMayorcancallforanyfinalcommentsorquestionsfrompresentinggroupsandCouncilmembers(iftimepermits)

3-5minutes

MayorleadsopendeliberationofCityCouncil 10minutes

8. Theteachershouldreviewexpectedbehaviorforthesimulation,notingexpectationssuchas:• Remainrespectfulatalltimesandencourageoneanother.• Tryyourbestandtakethesimulationseriously.• Listenwhenothersarespeaking.Donotdiscussyourpresentationorrebuttalswhileothergroupsare

presenting.• Maintainorderandprofessionalismthroughoutthehearing,whetheryouagreewithwhatisbeing

saidornot.• Nonamecalling,eyerolling,smackingteeth,disruptivecomments,etc.• Havefun!

Page 5: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

5

9. Oncetheexpectationsareclearlydefined,asktheMayortocallthemeetingtoorderandconductthesimulation.Afterallgroupshavepresentedandbeenquestionedbycouncilmembers,andiftimepermits,theMayorcancallforfinalcommentsfromthepresentinggroups,orallowgroupstoaskquestionsofoneanothertoaffecttheCouncil’sdecision.Iftimedoesnotpermit,theMayorshouldthankallpresentersfortheirtime.Theteachershoulddetermineoneofthefollowingmeansofclosingtheactivity:• TheMayorcanleadtheCouncilinanopendeliberationregardingtheredevelopmentproposal.

(Ensurestudentsunderstandthatinarealisticsituation,thiswouldnotnecessarilybethecase.)Presentingcitizengroupsshouldonlylistenatthispoint.Thedeliberationcanlastuntilcouncilreachesaunanimousdecision,orifdebateensues,theMayorcanbeinstructedto“tablethediscussionuntilthenextmeeting.”Ifconsensusisnotmet,reflectonthisintheclosingdiscussion.

• RatherthanhavingtheCouncildeliberatingasagroup,aquickeroptionistohaveeachcouncilmemberstatehisorhercurrentopinionoftheproposal,notinghowheorshewouldvoteanddiscussingwhichofthepresentersaffectedhisorheropinion.

10. Basedonthepresentations,haveallstudentsdiscussusingthefollowingquestions:

• Whatdoyouthinkoftheopinionsand/ordecisionrepresentedbytheCouncil?• HowwouldyouvoteifyouwereontheCouncil?Why?• TheFifthAmendmenttotheConstitutionstatesthat“norshallprivatepropertybetakenforpublic

use,withoutjustcompensation.”WhatdoyouthinkthewritersoftheConstitutionmeantbythephrase“publicuse”?WouldyouconsidertakingpropertyundertheNewLondonRedevelopmentProposal“publicuse”?

• TheSupremeCourthasapprovedgenerallythewidespreaduseofthepowerofeminentdomainbyfederalandstategovernmentsinconjunctionwithprivatecompaniestofacilitateurbanrenewal,destructionofslums,erectionoflow-costhousinginplaceofdeterioratedhousing,andthepromotionofaestheticvaluesaswellaseconomicones.Doyouthinkthat“publicuse”extendstomakinganareamoreattractiveoreconomicallystrong?Explain.

11. Afterthepresentations,continueviewingtherestofthedocumentary.Teacherscanchoosetopauseat

thenotedpointsbelowforfurtherdiscussion,orplaytheremainderoftheDVDwithnopauses.§ DiscussionPoint#3:(Pauseat18.06;rightaftertheCoalitionmemberssays“Let’skeeptrying.)

HowdidtheCityCouncil’sdecisioncomparetotheclassCityCouncilsimulation?Doyouagreewiththelawyer’sappraisalthatjustbecausetheNewLondonCityCouncildidnotagreewiththeCoalition,itdoesnotmeanthattheydidnotlisten?WasthisaonceinalifetimechanceforNewLondon?

§ DiscussionPoint#4:(Pauseat21.21afterthelawyerdescribesthechallengeofleavingthehouses.)Doyouagreewiththelawyerthatleavingrandomlotsspreadoutwouldmakeitimpossibletoredevelopthewholearea?Whyorwhynot?

§ DiscussionPoint#5(Pauseat25.16afterthelawyerdescribesthechangesmadetoFortTrumbull)Whichlawyer,inyouropinion,makesastrongerargument,thelawyerfromtheInstituteofJusticeortheNewLondonattorney?Explain.

Court’sOpinion:Kelov.CityofNewLondon

12. TeacherscandistributecopiesoftheattachedAbridgedSupremeCourtOpinion,havethestudentsreadit,thendiscussasaclass;or,teacherscansimplysummarizeandexplaintheCourt’sfinaldecisiontotheclass:• TheSupremeCourt,ina5-4decision,ruledinfavorofNewLondon.TheCourtfirststateditsdesireto

defertothejudgmentsoflocalgovernments.TheCourtthensaidthattheNewLondonplanappearedtobeacarefullyconsideredefforttoaddresstheproblemsinthecity.Economicdevelopment,accordingtotheCourt,isavalidpublicpurposeandissufficienttojustifytheexerciseofeminentdomain.

• TheCourtreliedonlegalprecedentinmakingitsdecision.ThetwomaincaseswereMidkiffandBerman.

Page 6: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

6

o HawaiiHousingAuthorityv.Midkiff,467U.S.229(1984)–TheCourtupheldHawaii’suseofeminentdomaintoredistributelandmoreevenlyinthestate.Asmallgroupofwealthyindividualsownedthemajorityofthestate’sland,causingseriousproblemsinrealestatemarkets.Thestateusedeminentdomaininordertoaddresstheseissues.

o Bermanv.Parker,348U.S.26(1954)–TheCourtupheldaWashingtonD.C.plantoredevelopablightedarea.TheCourtdeterminedthatgovernmentcouldtakeprivatelandforapublicpurpose(notjusta“publicuse”),solongasitpaidjustcompensation.

13. Afterexplainingtheholdingand/orhavingstudentsreadtheeditedopinion,askstudentsfortheir

reactionstotheCourt’sdecision:• WastheCourt’sdecisionconsistentwiththeCouncil’sdecisionand/orouropinionsduringthecity

councilsimulation?• DoyouagreewiththeCourt’sholding?Whyorwhynot?• WhataspectsoftheCourt’sdecisiondoyoufindmostandleastpersuasive?• Howdoyouthinkjudgesshoulddistinguishbetweenpublicandprivateuses?

AdditionalActivities• “RulingSetsOffTugofWarOverPrivateProperty”:DistributecopiesoftheattachedNewYorkTimes

articleandhavethestudentsreadit.Allowstudentstodiscusstheirreactionstothefollowingquestions:o WhydoyouthinkthisSupremeCourtdecisionwassocontroversial?o WhatdoyouthinkofthewaySantaCruzisexercisingeminentdomain?o DoyouthinkthiskindofgovernmentactioniswhattheSupremeCourtintended?

• EminentDomaininNC:InformthestudentsthatNorthCarolina’slawoneminentdomainwasmodifiedaftertheKelocase.PassoutcopiesoftheattachedNorthCarolinalawregardingtherulesforeminentdomain.Instructstudentstosummarizeeachsectionintheirownwords.

• EminentDomainEssayAssignment:Instructstudentstoprepareashortessay(5+paragraphs)discussingtheirperspectiveoneminentdomainaftertoday’sclass.Essay’sshouldincludeargumentsthatstudentsfoundmostpersuasiveduringclassdiscussionandtheCityCouncilactivity.Makesuretoincorporateinformationfromothersourcesdiscussedinthelesson,suchasthedocumentary,theSupremeCourtopinion,thetwoprecedentsdiscussedinclassandtheNewYorkTimesarticle.Remindstudentsto:o Developyourperspectiveonthemeaningofeminentdomain.o Thinkaboutthepurposeandcontextofyourarticle.o Organizeyouressaysothatyourideasprogresslogically.o Includerelevantdetailsthatclearlydevelopyouressay.o Edityouressayforstandardgrammarandlanguageusage.*Ifithasnotalreadybeendistributed,givetheclassthe“AbridgedSupremeCourtOpinion”handouttoreadbeforecompletingtheassignment.

• Kelo’sAftermath:Providestudentswithacopyoftheattached“Afterthehomesaregone”handout,whichdescribestheaftermathoftheKelodecisionfouryearslater.Havestudentsreadtheeditorialandanswertheattachedquestionsindividuallyorinpairs.Afterstudentshavefinishedreadingandansweringthequestions,discussthequestionsasaclass.

DifferentiationStudentswithSpecialNeeds

• Ensurethatstudentsareplacedinmixedabilitygroups.• Studentswhodonotworkwellinsmallgroupsmayworkalone.GivethemtheProposedDevelopment

plan,andtellthemthattheyareaCityCouncilmemberwhomustdecidewhethertopasstheplanornot.Havethemwriteouttheirresponseandreasoning.

Page 7: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

7

• Studentsmayhavemoredifficultywithreadingthecourtdecision.Accessabriefdescriptionofthecaseanddecisionatwww.oyez.org.Entercasenameinthesearchbarinthetoprighthand.

AIG

• Havethestudentschooseoneoftheadditionalactivitiestocomplete.

Page 8: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

8

EminentDomainPoliticalCartoon

Source:http://www.inthesetimes.com/images/29/22/domain.jpg

Page 9: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

9

Name:________________________________

Kelov.NewLondonViewer’sGuide

1.NameoneoftheproblemsfacingNewLondonthatismentionedatthebeginningofthedocumentary.2.WhatcompanyofferedtobuilditsglobalresearchfacilityinNewLondon?3.WhatistheNewLondonDevelopmentCorporation(NLDC)?4.HadNewLondontried“urbanrenewal”priortothisplan?5.NameatleasttwoproblemsthecitysawwiththeFortTrumbullneighborhood.6.InthenewplanforFortTrumbull,whatdidtheCityplantobuild?7.WhatmainargumentdidtheInstituteforJusticemakewhenitfiledsuitagainstthecity?8.WhatdoesthecitysaymakesitsplandifferentfromtheWal-Martexample?

Page 10: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

10

Kelov.NewLondonViewer’sGuide-ANSWERKEY1.NameoneoftheproblemsfacingNewLondonthatismentionedatthebeginningofthedocumentary.lowtaxbase,closingoftheNavybase,decliningpopulation,highunemployment2.WhatcompanyofferedtobuilditsglobalresearchfacilityinNewLondon?Pfizer3.WhatistheNewLondonDevelopmentCorporation(NLDC)?NLDCisanon-profitagentofthecity.ItsgoalistocreatemoretaxrevenueandtoimprovetheeconomichealthofNewLondon.4.HadNewLondontried“urbanrenewal”priortothisplan?Yes5.NameatleasttwoproblemsthecitysawwiththeFortTrumbullneighborhood.Eightypercentofcommercialpropertieswerevacant.Thepropertyalsocontainedanabandonedrailyard,ajunkyard,polluted“brownfields,”asewerplantandanoiltankfield.6.InthenewplanforFortTrumbull,whatdidtheCityplantobuild?offices,shops,residentialareas(condos),amuseum7.WhatmainargumentdidtheInstituteforJusticemakewhenitfiledsuitagainstthecity?Promotingprivatecommercialinterestsandtransferringproperty“fromAtoB”arenot“publicuses”underthe5thAmendment.8.WhatdoesthecitysaymakesitsplandifferentfromtheWal-Martexample?Thecity’splanincludedenvironmentalremediation,newroads,sewersandmeansofpublicaccess,allofwhich(accordingtothecity)arevalidpublicuses.

Page 11: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

11

ProposedNewLondonRedevelopmentPlan

NewLondonhasdesignatedthenonprofitNewLondonDevelopmentCorporation(NLDC)toprepareandimplementthefollowingplan,includingacquiringthepropertiesslatedforredevelopmentthroughpurchaseoreminentdomain.GoalsoftheNLDC:

• increasethecity'staxbase,• increasethenumberofjobs,and• improvethequalityoflifeforNewLondonresidents.

Pfizer'splannedGlobalDevelopmentFacility(GDF)ThePfizerBoardofDirectorshaveapprovedaplanfora$300millionGlobalDevelopmentFacilityinNewLondon.Thefacilitywillemploy1,900workerswitha$125millionannualpayrollby2002.ThenewGDFwillrequirealargesuburbanorruraltractoflandnexttoamajorhighwayforitsconstruction.ComplementingPfizer’sinvestment,astategrantof$78millionwillbeusedtofurtherredevelopment.VisionoftheRedevelopedFortTrumbullAreaTheFortTrumbullareapresentstheperfecttractoflandforthisproject.TheFortTrumbullareaincludestheunoccupiedNavalUnderseaWarfareCenter(NUWC),theregionalwaterpollutioncontrolauthority,andresidentialandcommercialpropertiessituatedon115privatelyownedparcels.Theareaisconsideredpoorlyplannedandunattractive.ThevisionofthisredevelopmentplanisforthenewPfizerGlobalDevelopmentFacility,withaninvestmentof$180millioninprivatefunds,tobethecenterpieceofaconcentratedreuseoftheFortTrumbullpeninsula.WithacombinationofPfizer’sinvestmentandstategrantfunds,theredevelopedareawouldinclude:

• Pfizer’sGlobalDevelopmentFacilityoffices• conferencecenter• fitnesscenter• marina• luxurycondos*• 5-starhotel*• anewCoastGuardMuseumatFortTrumbull• refurbishmentofthehistoricFortTrumbullintoastatepark• publicaccesstothewaterfront,withplannedpedestrianandbikepathsleadingintodowntown• upgradeofthearea’sutilitiesandinfrastructure• improvingtheodorcontrolandothersystemsofthecity'swastewatertreatmentplant• purchaseandenvironmentalabatementofanadjacentscrapyard

*Theresidentialandhotelportionsoftheprojectrepresentabout$50millionworthoftaxableproperty;thevalueoftheofficebuildingshavenotyetbeencalculated.ActionStepstoImplementPlanAcquisitionofnumerousFortTrumbullresidentialandbusinesspropertiesisrequired.

Page 12: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

12

CityCouncilInstructionsTheMayor

AboutYou:YouareinyoursixthtermasNewLondon’smayor,andyouarealifelongNewLondonresident.Youfeelacity’sfutureisinitsconstantdevelopmentandeconomicprogression.Havingwatchedyourcitydeteriorateovertheyears,youareeagertofindasolutiontothecity’seconomicproblems.Manyresidentshavetoldyouthattheythinkthedevelopmentplanisagodsendforthetroubledcity.ButyouarealsosympathetictothepeoplewholiveintheFortTrumbullarea.Youhatetheideaofthrowingpeopleoutoftheirhomes,andmostofall,youhatebeingputinthemiddleofthiscontroversy.YouhopetheCouncilcancometoadecisionthatwillpleaseallNewLondonresidents.

Instructions:YouandyourfellowcouncilmembersarehearingfromvariousgroupsofcommunitymemberstodeterminewhetherornotyouwillapproveorrejecttheNewLondonRedevelopmentPlan.Today,asyoulistentocitizenopinions,yourresponsibilityistomakeadecisionforthecommongoodofNewLondon.1.Toprepareforthecouncilmeetingtonight,leadtheCouncilinreviewingtheProposedRedevelopmentplanforNewLondon.Facilitatediscussionamongcouncilmembersinwhichallofyoushareyourfirstimpressionsoftheproposal,aswellasanyquestionsyouhaveorchangesyoumayliketoseemade.2.Also,asagroup,reviewtheNewLondonCityCouncilMeetingAgendawhichlistseachgroupthatissigneduptopresenttoyoutoday.Anticipatewhatyouthinkeachgroup’sstancewillbeonthisissue.Createatleasttwoquestionstoaskeachpresentinggroupaftertheirpresentation.Thesequestionsmaychangebasedonwhatyouhearinthepresentations.3.OnceitistimefortheCityCouncilmeetingtobegin,YOU,astheMayor,willcallthemeetingtoorderbygreetingthecouncilmembersandwelcomingthecitizensinattendance.YouwillthenleadeveryoneinthePledgeofAllegiance.Finally,youwillreviewthepurposeoftoday’smeetingbysummarizingtheredevelopmentplanandthedecisiontheCouncilmustmake.Then,followingthemeetingagendathatyoureceived,youwillcalleachgroupuptopresent.Eachgroupwillhaveupto5minutestopresenttheiropinionstotheCouncil.4.Aftereachpresentation,youwillopenthefloorforquestionsfromcouncilmembersofthatpresentinggroup.YouandtheCouncilmayrefertothequestionsyoupreviouslycreated,oraskquestionsbasedonnewinformationyouheard.Remember,youneedtogatheralloftheinformationyoucaninordertomakeaninformeddecision.5.Onceallgroupshavepresented,astheMayor,youwillthankallcitizensfortheirpresentationsandbeginanopencouncilsessioninwhichyouandyourfellowcouncilmembersdeliberatewhethertoapproveorrejecttheNewLondonRedevelopmentPlan.Ifyoudecidetoapprovetheredevelopmentplan,thenyoumustdetermineifyouwilldosoexactlyasproposedintheplan,orifyouwillmakechangestotheplan(forexample,howwouldyoucompensatecitizenswholosetheirproperty?).Ascitycouncil,youmayhavedifferentideasregardingtheproposedredevelopmentplan.Youmustworkthroughthisusingrespectfuldebate,negotiation,andcompromise,andattempttocometoaconsensus.

Page 13: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

13

CityCouncilInstructionsCouncilMember

Instructions:YouandyourfellowcouncilmembersarehearingfromvariousgroupsofcommunitymemberstodeterminewhetherornottoapproveorrejecttheNewLondonRedevelopmentPlan.Ifyoucontinuewiththeplanasproposed,youwillbeallowingthecitytotakeanumberofresidentialhomesthrougheminentdomain.Ifyouchoosenottoproceedwiththeplan,thePfizerCorporationmaytaketheirproposedcomplextoanareathatwillbemorewillingtoprovidebetteraccommodationsforitsemployees.Today,asyoulistentocitizenopinions,yourresponsibilityistomakeadecisionforthecommongoodofNewLondon.1.ReviewtheProposedRedevelopmentplanforNewLondon.Basedonyourviewsasdescribedabove,discussyourfirstimpressionsoftheproposalwithyourfellowcouncilmembers,aswellasanychangesyoumayliketoseemade.2.Also,asagroup,reviewtheNewLondonCityCouncilMeetingAgendawhichlistseachgroupthatissigneduptopresenttoyoutoday.Inferwhatyouthinkeachgroup’sstancewillbeonthisissue.Createatleasttwoquestionstoaskeachpresentinggroupaftertheirpresentation.Thesequestionsmaychangebasedonwhatyouhearinthepresentations.3.OnceitistimefortheCityCouncilmeetingtobegintheMayorwillcallthemeetingtoorder.Eachgroupwillhaveupto5minutestopresenttheiropinionstotheCouncil.4.Aftereachpresentation,youwillhavetheopportunitytoaskquestionsofthepresentinggroup.Youandyourfellowcouncilmembersmayrefertothequestionsyoupreviouslycreated,oraskquestionsbasedonnewinformationyouheard.Remember,youneedtogatheralloftheinformationyoucaninordertomakeaninformeddecision.5.Onceallgroupshavepresented,theMayorwillthankallpresentersfortheirpresentationsandbeginanopencouncilsessioninwhichyouandyourfellowmembersdeliberatewhethertoapproveorrejecttheNewLondonRedevelopmentPlan.Ifyoudecidetoapprovetheredevelopmentplan,thenyoumustdetermineifyouwilldosoexactlyasproposedintheplan,orifyouwillmakechangestotheplan(forexample,howwouldyoucompensatecitizenswholosetheirproperty?)AsCityCouncil,youmayhavedifferentideasregardingtheproposedredevelopmentplan.Youmustworkthroughthisusingrespectfuldebate,negotiation,andcompromise,andattempttocometoaconsensus.

Page 14: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

14

StakeholderInstructions

TheCoalitiontoSaveFortTrumbull

YourgrouprepresentsSusetteKeloandotherresidentsoftheFortTrumbullarea.YourgoalistoconvinceCityCounciltoREJECTtheredevelopmentplan.Manyofyouhavelivedinthisareayourwholelivesandyouaredeterminedtodowhateverittakestodefeatthisplanandsaveyourhomes!Firstandforemost,yourgroupfeelsapprovingthisredevelopmentplanwouldbeaviolationofyourConstitutionalrights,particularlyyourFifthAmendmentright.You’resureitcan’tbelegaltotakesomeone’shomeforprivatedevelopment.Thisisn’tanissueoftakingyourpropertyfor“publicuse”–publicusewouldbebuildingaschoolorabridge.No,thisisanissueoftakingyourpropertyforPRIVATEPROFIT.YouareAmericancitizenswhowillbekickedoutofyourhomesifthisplanisapproved,thusyoufeelthisexerciseofeminentdomainisun-Americanandanunfairseizureofyourpersonalproperty.Surely,thistypeofthieveryandmisuseofpowercan’toccurinthiscountry!YourgrouphasalsobeenworkingwiththeInstituteforJustice,whobelievesthisisasocialjusticeissueandaviolationofFortTrumbull’sresidents’liberties.WhileFortTrumbullmaynotbeafancyneighborhood,therearemanyworkingclassfamilieswhomakeagoodlifehereandsafelyraisetheirfamilies.Thus,youfeelthatyourneighborhoodisbeingtargetedsincemanyoftheresidentsofFortTrumbulldonothavethefinancialresourcestofightthisinthecourts,nottomentionthefactthatmanyresidentsareelderlyandlacktheabilitytofightthisbattle.Further,itiscleartoyouthatbig,fancycompanieslikePfizerandtheNewLondonDevelopmentCorporationjustwanttodestroytheseaffordablefamilyhomestobuildfancycondosandluxuryhotels.ThisisanexampleoftherichinAmericanattemptingtogetricher,andinthiscasetheywillbestealingpropertyfromworkingclasscitizenstodoso!AstheInstituteforJusticehastoldyouall,removingyoufromyourhomeisasseriousasputtingyouinprison,andthereisnoreasontodoeither!1.Worktogethertodevelopa3minutepresentationtoCityCouncil.Yourpresentationshould: a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourstanceregardingtheproposedredevelopment

plan.Usingtheinformationaboveasaguidelineofyourgroup’sviews,expandthisinformationintoanargumentinwhichyouclearlystatewhatyouexpectthecouncilmemberstodoregardingtheproposedredevelopmentplanandwhy.

b…Answerthefollowingquestionsinyourpresentation… •Whydoyouwantcouncilmemberstorejecttheredevelopmentplan? •HowwillthepassingoftheredevelopmentplannegativelyimpactthecityofNewLondon? •Inwhatwayswilltheredevelopmentplanbeineffective?Inwhatwaysistheredevelopment planunjust? •Whyshouldcouncilmembersvoteaccordingtoyourviewsoverthoseopposingyou? c…YourstatementmustincludeatleastonereferencetotheUnitedStatesConstitution. d…Endwithaconvincingconclusionandgroupcreatedsloganthatwillmakethecouncilremember yourpresentation2.Asyoudevelopyourpresentation,considerwhattheothercitizenpresentersmightsayintheirpresentations.BepreparedtoarguewhyvotinginaccordancewithyourviewswillhavemoreofapositiveimpactonNewLondonthanwhatthoseopposingyouarerequesting.3.Anticipatewhatquestionscouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.4.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourstancetoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltoREJECTtheproposedredevelopmentplan.Goodluck!!

Page 15: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

15

StakeholderInstructions

NewLondonDevelopmentCorporationYourgrouprepresentstheNewLondonDevelopmentCorporation,whoisresponsibleforcreatingtheredevelopmentplanbeingdebatedtoday.YoufirmlybelievethattheredevelopmentplanisthebestopportunitythecityhasseeninyearsandyourgoalistoconvincetheCityCounciltoAPPROVEtheredevelopmentplan.YoubelievethatthisredevelopmentplanisanidealwaytoimproveNewLondon’seconomy,nottomentionthequalityoflifeforNewLondonresidents(especiallythecitizensofFortTrumbull).First,theredevelopmentplanwillincreasethecity’staxbase.Currently,56%oflandinNewLondonisnon-taxable,meaningthelocalgovernmentisnotgettinganyrevenuefromthoseproperties.Sincepropertytaxistheprimemethodforacity’srevenueforimportantservicessuchasschools,streets,firemen,police,etc.,NewLondonissufferingfinancially.Approvingthisredevelopmentplanwouldgreatlyincreasethecity’srevenueinthepropertytaxesPfizerwouldpayalone(nottomentionalltheotherbusinessesthatwillcometothearea).Whocanarguethatpoliceandteachersdon’tneedbetterfunding?CurrentlytheFortTrumbullareaisa“roughandtough”areathatisindesperateneedofclean-up.Yourplanwillturnthis“eye-sore”ofanareaintoabeautifulbusinessandtouristdestination.YourplannotonlyinvolvesPfizerbuildingitsGlobalDevelopmentofficeshere,butalsoinvolvesamazingpublicspacesforallcitizenstouse,aluxuryhotelandcondos,refurbishingtheactualfortlocatedinFortTrumbullandturningitintoastatehistoricpark,andmuchmore.Ifthisplanisapproved,morebusinesses,tourists,andlocalswillpourintotheareaandenjoyit.Whileyouunderstandthefrustrationsomeresidentsmayfeelinlosingtheirhomes,theyreallyneedtoviewthisasanopportunity.Theywillbepaidfairlyforthevalueoftheirhomesandcanfindanicerplacetolivethentherun-downareatheycurrentlyresidein.Also,theircitywillprosperbasedontheirsacrifice.AsmuchasyousympathizewiththeFortTrumbullresidents,youthinktheymustbemovedforthegoodofthecity.1.Worktogethertodevelopa3minutepresentationtoCityCouncil.Yourpresentationshould: a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourstanceregardingtheproposedredevelopment

plan.Usingtheinformationaboveasaguidelineofyourgroup’sviews,expandthisinformationintoanargumentinwhichyouclearlystatewhatyouexpectthecouncilmemberstodoregardingtheproposedredevelopmentplan.

b…Answerthefollowingquestionsinyourpresentation… •Whydoyouwantcouncilmemberstoapprovetheredevelopmentplan? •HowwillthepassingoftheredevelopmentplanpositivelyimpactthecityofNewLondon? •Inwhatwayswilltheredevelopmentplanbeeffective?Whatopportunitiesdoesthe redevelopmentplanofferthecityofNewLondonanditsresidents? •Whyshouldcouncilmembersvoteaccordingtoyourviewsoverthoseopposingyou? c…YourstatementmustincludeatleastonereferencetotheUnitedStatesConstitution. d…Endwithaconvincingconclusionandgroupcreatedsloganthatwillmakethecouncilremember yourpresentation2.Asyoudevelopyourpresentation,considerwhattheothercitizenpresentersmightsayintheirpresentations.BepreparedtoarguewhyvotinginaccordancewithyourviewswillhavemoreofapositiveimpactonNewLondonthanwhatthoseopposingyouarerequesting.3.Anticipatewhatquestionscouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.

Page 16: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

16

4.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourstancetoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltoAPPROVEtheproposedredevelopmentplan.Goodluck!!

Page 17: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

17

StakeholderInstructions

FortTrumbullCitizensforChangeYourgrouprepresentsagroupofcitizenslivinginFortTrumbullwhohopetoconvincecitycounciltoAPPROVEtheredevelopmentplan.UnlikethemembersoftheCoalitiontoSaveFortTrumbull,youbelievethisisasensibleopportunityforthecitizensofFortTrumbulltogetafreshstartelsewhere.FortTrumbull,theareainwhichyoulive,iscurrentlyborderedbyajunkyard,anabandonedAmtrakrailroadyard,anoiltankfield,andmanydilapidatinghomes.Notonlyisthesceneryhideous,buttheplacereeksfromthesmellofthefoulwatertreatmentplantdowntheroad,whichwillfinallyberenovatedwiththeredevelopmentplan.Fewpeopleareinterestedinpurchasinghomesthatareforsaleinthearea.Theredevelopmentplanoffersyouashomeownersthechancetobepaidafairpriceforyourpropertyandstartfreshelsewhere.Ratherthanspendtimefightingtheinevitable,yourgroupfeelsFortTrumbullcitizensshouldlookatthisasanopportunityandspendtheirtimefindinganewhomeelsewhereinthecitywiththemoneythatwillbeprovidedina“buy-out”toeachresident.1.Worktogethertodevelopa3-minutepresentationtoCityCouncil.Yourpresentationshould: a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourstanceregardingtheproposedredevelopment

plan.Usingtheinformationaboveasaguidelineofyourgroup’sviews,expandthisinformationintoanargumentinwhichyouclearlystatewhatyouexpectthecouncilmemberstodoregardingtheproposedredevelopmentplan.

b…Answerthefollowingquestionsinyourpresentation… •Whydoyouwantcouncilmemberstoapprovetheredevelopmentplan?Whataboutthis planmakesyouwillingtomoveoutofyourhomeandsellittothecity? •HowwillthepassingoftheredevelopmentplanpositivelyimpactthecityofNewLondon? •Inwhatwayswilltheredevelopmentplanbeeffective?Whatopportunitiesdoesthe redevelopmentplanofferthecityofNewLondonanditsresidents? •Whyshouldcouncilmembersvoteaccordingtoyourviewsoverthoseopposingyou? c…YourstatementmustincludeatleastonereferencetotheUnitedStatesConstitution. d…Endwithaconvincingconclusionandgroupcreatedsloganthatwillmakethecouncilremember yourpresentation2.Asyoudevelopyourpresentation,considerwhattheothercitizenpresentersmightsayintheirpresentations.BepreparedtoarguewhyvotinginaccordancewithyourviewswillhavemoreofapositiveimpactonNewLondonthanwhatthoseopposingyouarerequesting.3.Anticipatewhatquestionscouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.4.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourstancetoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltoAPPROVEtheproposedredevelopmentplan.Goodluck!!

Page 18: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

18

StakeholderInstructions

PfizerCorporation

Pfizeristheworld'slargestresearch-basedbiomedicalandpharmaceuticalcompany,withcorporateheadquartersthatarelocatedinNewYorkandmajorresearchanddevelopmentlocationsintheUnitedStatesandEngland.YouarerepresentingtheinterestsofPfizeratthecitycouncilmeetingtodayandyourgoalistoconvincetheCityCounciltoAPPROVEtheredevelopmentplan.Thereisnoquestionthatyourcorporation’spresenceinthiscommunitywilldowondersforit.Firstofall,Pfizerwillbringmanynewjobswhenitcomes.Inatownwheretheunemploymentratehasdoubled,youareshockedeveryoneisn’twelcomingthisopportunitywithopenarms.Inthe1990s,NewLondonwashithardwhenthenavybaseclosed,taking1,800jobswithit.Pfizer,andthecompaniesthatwillfollowoncetheareabecomesa“hot-spot”,willbringthatmanyjobsbackandmore.Further,NewLondon’spopulationhasdeclinedsincethe1990s;peopleareleavingthearea.Yourproposalwillnotonlyencourageresidentstostay,butalsobringinmanytourists.Theplanincludestheadditionofamuseum,walkways,bikepaths,andmore,allofwhichwillmakethespacemoreusableandfriendlytoallNewLondonresidents.ThereisabeautifulviewofthewaterfromFortTrumbullthatiscurrentlybeingwasted,asmostresidentscan’taccessitandthereisnothingtododownthere.Frankly,NewLondonisluckytohavePfizerconsideringitasalocation,sincemanycitiesareconstantlyaskingforcompaniessuchasyourstoopenanofficewithintheircitylimits.NewLondonhadbetterrealizewhatagreatopportunitythisisquickly;youhavemanyoptionsofplaceswhereyouwouldbewelcomedbyall.1.Worktogethertodevelopa3minutepresentationtoCityCouncil.Yourpresentationshould: a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourstanceregardingtheproposedredevelopment

plan.Usingtheinformationaboveasaguidelineofyourgroup’sviews,expandthisinformationintoanargumentinwhichyouclearlystatewhatyouexpectthecouncilmemberstodoregardingtheproposedredevelopmentplan.

b…Answerthefollowingquestionsinyourpresentation… •Whydoyouwantcouncilmemberstoapprovetheredevelopmentplan? •HowwillthepassingoftheredevelopmentplanpositivelyimpactthecityofNewLondon? •Inwhatwayswilltheredevelopmentplanbeeffective?Whatopportunitiesdoesthe redevelopmentplanofferthecityofNewLondonanditsresidents? •Whyshouldcouncilmembersvoteaccordingtoyourviewsoverthoseopposingyou? c…YourstatementmustincludeatleastonereferencetotheUnitedStatesConstitution. d…Endwithaconvincingconclusionandgroupcreatedsloganthatwillmakethecouncilremember yourpresentation2.Asyoudevelopyourpresentation,considerwhattheothercitizenpresentersmightsayintheirpresentations.BepreparedtoarguewhyvotinginaccordancewithyourviewswillhavemoreofapositiveimpactonNewLondonthanwhatthoseopposingyouarerequesting.3.Anticipatewhatquestionscouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.4.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourstancetoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltoAPPROVEtheproposedredevelopmentplan.Goodluck!!

Page 19: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

19

StakeholderInstructions

NewLondonLandmarks

YourgrouprepresentstheNewLondonLandmarks,asocietydedicatedtopreservingthehistoryofNewLondon.YourgoalistoconvinceCityCounciltoREJECTtheredevelopmentplan.TheFortTrumbullneighborhoodisanimportantpartofNewLondon’shistory,animportantpartofhistorythatwillbelostforeveriftheredevelopmentplanisapproved.ThehomesinFortTrumbullhaveuniquearchitecturaldetailsandmanywerebuiltbyItalianandIrishimmigrantsintheearly1900s.Themasonryandbrickworkaloneinthesehomesisamazingandcan’tbefoundelsewhereinthecity.Ifinnocentcitizensarepushedoutoftheirhomesandtheselandmarksarebulldozedfornewdevelopment,historyandcharacterwillbelostandmoneywillbewasted.Somanystrip-mallsandhugeofficeparksexistallacrosstheUnitedStates;whythenwouldaplaceasuniqueasFortTrumbullbetorndown,onlytobereplacedbymoreofthesamemundanearchitecturethatexistseverywhereelse?FortTrumbullisanareathatcansetNewLondonapartfromotherareas.Whileit’strueFortTrumbullcouldusesomecleaningupandrefurbishing,bulldozingthewholeareaiswastefulandmakesnosense.TherehavebeenothertimesinthepastwhenNewLondonhasfallenforscamslikethis,andgonealongwithplanspromisinghugeimprovementsafterredevelopment.Intheend,nothingworkedout.Thatiswhatyougroupfeelswillhappenagain.Somanyirreplaceablehistoricalhomeswillbedestroyedandintheendtheredevelopmentplanwillmostlikelyfallthroughanyway.Yourgroupdoesn’tcareifPfizercomeshereornot;infact,ifitisbringingmore“officeparkarchitecture,”you’drathertheygoelsewhere.1.Worktogethertodevelopa3minutepresentationtoCityCouncil.Yourpresentationshould: a...Beginwithanintroductionandoverviewofyourstanceregardingtheproposedredevelopment

plan.Usingtheinformationaboveasaguidelineofyourgroup’sviews,expandthisinformationintoanargumentinwhichyouclearlystatewhatyouexpectthecouncilmemberstodoregardingtheproposedredevelopmentplan.

b…Answerthefollowingquestionsinyourpresentation… •Whydoyouwantcouncilmemberstorejecttheredevelopmentplan? •HowwillthepassingoftheredevelopmentplannegativelyimpactthecityofNewLondon? •Inwhatwayswilltheredevelopmentplanbeineffective?Inwhatwaysistheredevelopment planunjust? •Whyshouldcouncilmembersvoteaccordingtoyourviewsoverthoseopposingyou? c…YourstatementmustincludeatleastonereferencetotheUnitedStatesConstitution. d…Endwithaconvincingconclusionandgroupcreatedsloganthatwillmakethecouncilremember yourpresentation2.Asyoudevelopyourpresentation,considerwhattheothercitizenpresentersmightsayintheirpresentations.BepreparedtoarguewhyvotinginaccordancewithyourviewswillhavemoreofapositiveimpactonNewLondonthanwhatthoseopposingyouarerequesting.3.Anticipatewhatquestionscouncilmembersmighthaveofyousothatyouarepreparedtoanswer.4.Select1-2groupmemberstopresentyourstancetoCityCouncilmembers.TherestofthegroupwillberesponsibleforassistinginansweringquestionstheCityCouncilwillaskyouafteryourpresentationisfinished.Remember,yourgoalistogettheCityCounciltoREJECTtheproposedredevelopmentplan.Goodluck!!

Page 20: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

20

NewLondonCityCouncilMeetingAgenda

I.WelcomeII.PledgeofAllegianceIII.PublicHearingonProposedRedevelopmentPlan

-PRESENTINGGROUPS–

• NewLondonDevelopmentCorporation• TheCoalitiontoSaveFortTrumbull• PfizerCorporation• NewLondonLandmarks• FortTrumbullCitizensforChange

IV.OpendeliberationonProposedRedevelopmentPlan

Page 21: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

21

AbridgedSupremeCourtOpinion-Kelov.CityofNewLondon,545U.S.469(2005)

OPINION:JusticeStevensdeliveredtheopinionoftheCourt.In2000,thecityofNewLondonapprovedadevelopmentplanthat,inthewordsoftheSupremeCourtofConnecticut,was"projectedtocreateinexcessof1,000jobs,toincreasetaxandotherrevenues,andtorevitalizeaneconomicallydistressedcity,includingitsdowntownandwaterfrontareas."Inassemblingthelandneededforthisproject,thecity'sdevelopmentagenthaspurchasedpropertyfromwillingsellersandproposestousethepowerofeminentdomaintoacquiretheremainderofthepropertyfromunwillingownersinexchangeforjustcompensation.Thequestionpresentediswhetherthecity'sproposeddispositionofthispropertyqualifiesasa"publicuse"withinthemeaningoftheTakingsClauseoftheFifthAmendmenttotheConstitution….IInall,theninepetitionersown15propertiesinFortTrumbull…Thereisnoallegationthatanyofthesepropertiesisblightedorotherwiseinpoorcondition;rather,theywerecondemnedonlybecausetheyhappentobelocatedinthedevelopmentarea.InDecember2000,petitionersbroughtthisactionintheNewLondonSuperiorCourt.Theyclaimed…thatthetakingoftheirpropertieswouldviolatethe"publicuse"restrictionintheFifthAmendment.…[T]heSuperiorCourtgrantedapermanentrestrainingorderprohibitingthetakingofthepropertieslocatedinparcel4A(parkormarinasupport).It,however,deniedpetitionersreliefastothepropertieslocatedinparcel3(officespace).AftertheSuperiorCourtruled,bothsidestookappealstotheSupremeCourtofConnecticut.Thatcourtheld,overadissent,thatalloftheCity'sproposedtakingswerevalid….Wegrantedcertioraritodeterminewhetheracity'sdecisiontotakepropertyforthepurposeofeconomicdevelopmentsatisfiesthe"publicuse"requirementoftheFifthAmendment….Withoutexception,ourcaseshavedefinedthatconceptbroadly,reflectingourlongstandingpolicyofdeferencetolegislativejudgmentsinthisfield….Viewedasawhole,ourjurisprudencehasrecognizedthattheneedsofsocietyhavevariedbetweendifferentpartsoftheNation,justastheyhaveevolvedovertimeinresponsetochangedcircumstances.…Formorethanacentury,ourpublicusejurisprudencehaswiselyeschewedrigidformulasandintrusivescrutinyinfavorofaffordinglegislaturesbroadlatitudeindeterminingwhatpublicneedsjustifytheuseofthetakingspower.ThosewhogoverntheCitywerenotconfrontedwiththeneedtoremoveblightintheFortTrumbullarea,buttheirdeterminationthattheareawassufficientlydistressedtojustifyaprogramofeconomicrejuvenationisentitledtoourdeference.TheCityhascarefullyformulatedaneconomicdevelopmentplanthatitbelieveswillprovideappreciablebenefitstothecommunity,including--butbynomeanslimitedto--newjobsandincreasedtaxrevenue....Giventhecomprehensivecharacteroftheplan,thethoroughdeliberationthatprecededitsadoption,andthelimitedscopeofourreview,itisappropriateforus…toresolvethechallengesoftheindividualowners,notonapiecemealbasis,butratherinlightoftheentireplan.Becausethatplanunquestionablyservesapublicpurpose,thetakingschallengedheresatisfythepublicuserequirementoftheFifthAmendment.Toavoidthisresult,petitionersurgeustoadoptanewbright-linerulethateconomicdevelopmentdoesnotqualifyasapublicuse.…[N]eitherprecedentnorlogicsupportspetitioners'proposal.Promotingeconomicdevelopmentisatraditionalandlong-acceptedfunctionofgovernment.Thereis,moreover,noprincipledwayofdistinguishingeconomicdevelopmentfromtheotherpublicpurposesthatwehaverecognized.…Petitionerscontendthatusingeminentdomainforeconomicdevelopmentimpermissiblyblurstheboundarybetweenpublicandprivatetakings.Quitesimply,thegovernment'spursuitofapublicpurposewilloftenbenefitindividualprivateparties.

Page 22: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

22

Itisfurtherarguedthatwithoutabright-linerulenothingwouldstopacityfromtransferringcitizenA'spropertytocitizenBforthesolereasonthatcitizenBwillputthepropertytoamoreproductiveuseandthuspaymoretaxes.…[T]hehypotheticalcasespositedbypetitionerscanbeconfrontedifandwhentheyarise….Justaswedeclinetosecond-guesstheCity'sconsideredjudgmentsabouttheefficacyofitsdevelopmentplan,wealsodeclinetosecond-guesstheCity'sdeterminationsastowhatlandsitneedstoacquireinordertoeffectuatetheproject.…[N]othinginouropinionprecludesanyStatefromplacingfurtherrestrictionsonitsexerciseofthetakingspower.…[T]henecessityandwisdomofusingeminentdomaintopromoteeconomicdevelopmentarecertainlymattersoflegitimatepublicdebate.ThisCourt'sauthority,however,extendsonlytodeterminingwhethertheCity'sproposedcondemnationsarefora"publicuse"withinthemeaningoftheFifthAmendmenttotheFederalConstitution.Becauseoveracenturyofourcaselawinterpretingthatprovisiondictatesanaffirmativeanswertothatquestion,wemaynotgrantpetitionersthereliefthattheyseek.ThejudgmentoftheSupremeCourtofConnecticutisaffirmed.Itissoordered.CONCUR:JusticeKennedy,concurring.IjointheopinionfortheCourtandaddthesefurtherobservations....Acourtconfrontedwithaplausibleaccusationofimpermissiblefavoritismtoprivatepartiesshouldtreattheobjectionasaseriousoneandreviewtherecordtoseeifithasmerit,thoughwiththepresumptionthatthegovernment'sactionswerereasonableandintendedtoserveapublicpurpose….MyagreementwiththeCourtthatapresumptionofinvalidityisnotwarrantedforeconomicdevelopmenttakingsingeneral,orfortheparticulartakingsatissueinthiscase,doesnotforeclosethepossibilitythatamorestringentstandardofreviewthanthatannouncedinBermanandMidkiffmightbeappropriateforamorenarrowlydrawncategoryoftakings.Theremaybeprivatetransfersinwhichtheriskofundetectedimpermissiblefavoritismofprivatepartiesissoacutethatapresumption(rebuttableorotherwise)ofinvalidityiswarrantedunderthePublicUseClause.Thisdemandinglevelofscrutiny,however,isnotrequiredsimplybecausethepurposeofthetakingiseconomicdevelopment.DISSENT:JusticeO'Connor,withwhomtheChiefJustice,JusticeScalia,andJusticeThomasjoin,dissenting.TodaytheCourtabandonsthislong-held,basiclimitationongovernmentpower.Underthebannerofeconomicdevelopment,allprivatepropertyisnowvulnerabletobeingtakenandtransferredtoanotherprivateowner,solongasitmightbeupgraded--i.e.,giventoanownerwhowilluseitinawaythatthelegislaturedeemsmorebeneficialtothepublic--intheprocess.…[W]ehavereadtheFifthAmendment'slanguagetoimposetwodistinctconditionsontheexerciseofeminentdomain:"theTakingmustbefora'publicuse'and'justcompensation'mustbepaidtotheowner….."Ourcaseshavegenerallyidentifiedthreecategoriesoftakingsthatcomplywiththepublicuserequirement….First,thesovereignmaytransferprivatepropertytopublicownership--suchasforaroad,ahospital,oramilitarybase.Second,thesovereignmaytransferprivatepropertytoprivateparties,oftencommoncarriers,whomakethepropertyavailableforthepublic'suse--suchaswitharailroad,apublicutility,orastadium.…[W]ehaveallowedthat,incertaincircumstances…takingsthatserveapublicpurposealsosatisfytheConstitutionevenifthepropertyisdestinedforsubsequentprivateuse….Inmovingawayfromourdecisionssanctioningthecondemnationofharmfulpropertyuse,theCourttodaysignificantlyexpandsthemeaningofpublicuse.Itholdsthatthesovereignmaytakeprivatepropertycurrentlyputtoordinaryprivateuse,andgiveitoverfornew,ordinaryprivateuse,solongasthenewuseispredictedtogeneratesomesecondarybenefitforthepublic--suchasincreasedtaxrevenue,morejobs,maybeevenestheticpleasure.Butnearlyanylawfuluseofrealprivatepropertycanbesaidtogeneratesomeincidentalbenefittothepublic.Thus,ifpredicted(orevenguaranteed)positivesideeffectsareenoughtorendertransferfromoneprivatepartytoanotherconstitutional,thenthewords"forpublicuse"donotrealisticallyexcludeanytakings,andthusdonotexertanyconstraintontheeminentdomainpower….Iflegislativeprognosticationsaboutthesecondarypublicbenefitsofanewusecanlegitimateataking,thereisnothingintheCourt'sruleorinJusticeKennedy'sglossonthatruletoprohibitpropertytransfersgenerated

Page 23: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

23

withlesscare,thatarelesscomprehensive,thathappentoresultfromlesselaborateprocess,whoseonlyprojectedadvantageistheincidenceofhighertaxes,orthathopetotransformanalreadyprosperouscityintoanevenmoreprosperousone….Anypropertymaynowbetakenforthebenefitofanotherprivateparty,butthefalloutfromthisdecisionwillnotberandom.Thebeneficiariesarelikelytobethosecitizenswithdisproportionateinfluenceandpowerinthepoliticalprocess,includinglargecorporationsanddevelopmentfirms.Asforthevictims,thegovernmentnowhaslicensetotransferpropertyfromthosewithfewerresourcestothosewithmore.TheFounderscannothaveintendedthisperverseresult.

Page 24: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

24

“RulingSetsOffTugofWarOverPrivateProperty”NewYorkTimesJuly30,2005ByTIMOTHYEGANSANTACRUZ,Calif.-MorethanamonthaftertheSupremeCourtruledthatgovernmentscouldtakeoneperson'spropertyandgiveittoanotherinthenameofpublicinterest,thedecisionhassetoffastormoflegislativeactionandprotest,asstateshavemovedtoprotecthomesandbusinessesfromtheexpandedreachofeminentdomain.InCaliforniaandTexas,legislatorshaveproposedconstitutionalamendments,whileatleastadozenotherstatesandsomecitiesarefloatingsimilarchangesdesignedtoreininthepowertotakeproperty.Butatthesametime,therulinghasemboldenedsomecitiestotakepropertyfordevelopmentplansonprivateland.HereinSantaCruz,forexample,cityofficialsstartedlegalactionthismonthtoseizeaparceloffamily-ownedlandthatholdsarestaurantwithahighZagatrating,twootherbusinessesandaconspicuousholeinthegroundandforceasaletoadeveloperwhoplanstobuild54condominiums.Farfromclarifyinggovernment'sabilitytotakeprivateproperty,the5-to-4SupremeCourtdecisionhassetupasummerofscrutinyoverapowerthathasbeenregularlyusedbutlittle-discussedfordecades."Theintensereaction-thisbacklash-hascaughtalotofpeopleoffguard,"saidLarryMorandi,whotrackslandusedevelopmentsfortheNationalConferenceofStateLegislatures.InConnecticut,wherethecourtcaseoriginated,Gov.M.JodiRell,aRepublican,haslikenedthereactiontotheBostonTeaPartyandcalledforamoratoriumonlandtakingsuntilthelegislaturecanrevisitthelaw.California'sproposalwouldprohibittheuseofeminentdomain,aprocessinwhichgovernmentsforceasaleofsomeone'sproperty,incaseslikeSantaCruz's."Thisdecisionopensanewerawhentherichandpowerfulcanusegovernmenttoseizethepropertyofordinarycitizensforprivategain,"saidStateSenatorTomMcClintock,aRepublicanwhoproposedtheamendment.

InCongress,liberalslikeRepresentativeMaxineWaters,DemocratofCalifornia,havejoinedconservativeslikeRepresentativeTomDeLayofTexas,theHousemajorityleader,incriticizingtheruling.TheHousevoted365to33topassaresolutioncondemningthedecision,andproposalsinboththeHouseandtheSenatewouldpreventthefederalgovernmentfromusingeminentdomainforprivatedevelopment,aswellaslocalgovernmentsusingfederalmoneyonsuchprojects.TheFifthAmendmentallowsthetakingoflandfor"publicuse"with"justcompensation,"andgovernmentshavelongusedthepracticetobuildroadsandschoolsandtoallowutilitiestorunservicelines.InitsJune23rulingregardingeffortsbytheCityofNewLondon,Conn.,tocondemnhomesinanoldpartoftowntomakewayforaprivatedevelopment,theSupremeCourtsaidpublicusecouldmeansomethingthatbringsapublicbenefit-likejobsorincreasedtaxrevenue.Butatthesametime,thecourtinvitedstatestotailortheirownlaws.Whileonlyonestate,Delaware,haschangeditslaw,moststatesarelikelytohaveaproposedchangebynextyear,Mr.Morandisaid."Theinitialoutcryafterthecourtcasewas:Nobody'shouseissafe,we'vegottodosomethingnow,"hesaid."Butasmorestatestakealookatthistheywillrespondinsomeform,buttheywon'twanttotakeawayavaluabletool."

Page 25: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

25

InTexas,Gov.RickPerryaddedtheissuetoaspeciallegislativesessioninitiallycalledforeducation.Bothhousespassedbillslimitingeminentdomainwithsomeexceptions,includingoneallowingtheCityofArlingtontocondemnhomesforanewDallasCowboysfootballstadium,aprojectalreadyunderway.Thetwoversionsofthebillswerenotreconciledbeforethesessionended.Butsomecitiesviewtherulingasblessingtheirredevelopmentplans;Arlingtonfiledcondemnationlawsuitsagainstsomeholdoutpropertyownersthismonth.OfficialsinSunsetHills,Mo.,outsideSt.Louis,votedtocondemnaclusterofhomestomakewayforashoppingcenter,despitethepleasofsomeelderlyhomeownerswhosaidtheyhadnowhereelsetogoandnodesiretomove.OfficialsinOakland,Calif.,evictedatireshopandanautorepairshoptomakeroomforadevelopmentthatispartofMayorJerryBrown'splantobring10,000residentstothecentralpartofthecity.InSantaCruz,theplanspitonefamilyagainstthecity'slongefforttoredevelopadowntownhitbythe1989earthquake.WiththeSupremeCourt'sruling,cityofficialsheresaidtheyfeltfreetoseizea20,000-square-footlottheyconsideredablight.Tothecity,thelotownedbytheLaufamilyisadragonotherbusinesses,becausethehole,leftbytheearthquake,hasneverbeenredeveloped.Tothefamily,theseizureislegalizedtheftandshowshowthecourtdecisioncanbeusedtotakeanyone'spropertyunderthebroadrubricofpublicuse."Myfamilyhasownedthislandfor36years,"saidEricLau,wholaidbrickstoshoreupthebuildingthatwouldbecomehisthrivingrestaurant,whichisadjacenttothehole."Andnowthey'retryingtoeraseusfromthisplace,totakeitandsaywedon'thaveanychoice."Therulinghasstruckachord;inaWallStreetJournal/NBCNewspollthismonth,thelegalissuethatAmericanssaidmostconcernedthemwas"privatepropertyrights,"aheadofparentalnotificationforminors'abortionsortheright-to-diedebate.Propertyrightsgroupshaveunitedwithmoreliberalorganizationsinarguingthattakingpropertyforeconomicuseusuallyfavorstherichoverthepoor."Typically,youhavethesecorporatelobbyistswhogodowntoacitycouncilandsay,'Takethisperson'spropertyandwe'llbuildyouashoppingcenter,'"saidTimothySandefur,alawyerwiththePacificLegalFoundation,alibertarian-leaninglegalgroupthathelpeddrafttheproposedCaliforniaamendment.OpponentsoftheSupremeCourtdecisionalsopointtoSanDiego,whereAhmedMesdaqlosthisprosperouscigarandcoffeeshopinthetrendyGaslampQuartertoahotelproject,whichthecitysaidwouldbringmoretaxrevenue.Manycityofficialssayeminentdomainiscrucialforcreatingjobs,expandingtaxbasesandkeepingtheircommunitieseconomicallyviable."Redevelopmentissometimestheonlytoolacommunityhastojump-startrevitalizationofdowntrodden,blightedcommunities,"officialsattheCaliforniaLeagueofCitieswroteinaresponsetotheproposedamendment.MayorBrownofOaklandsaiditwasinevitablethatsomesmallbusinesseswouldhavetoberelocated,andheurgedcautioninanyeffortstopasslaws."Iunderstandthehorrorofurbanrenewal,"hesaid."Butyoudon'twanttotakeawayatoolthatacityhastoreformitself.Ifyoudid,Oaklandwouldsuffergreatly."Duringthe1970's,theLauproperty,withitsbookstoreandcafeinthepre-Starbucksage,wasacentralhangoutinfunkySantaCruz,neighborssay.EricLauwatchedhisfather'sbookstorecometolifeandthendieintheLomaPrietaearthquake,whichdestroyedthebuilding.Thefamily'srestaurant,Oswald,wouldnotbeconsideredblightbymanystandards.Thereisivyontheoutsidewalls,artontheinside,andthetablesarecoveredwithfresh-pressedlinen.Therestaurantispackedonmost

Page 26: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

26

nights,neighborssay.AndithasconsistentlybeenvotedoneofthebestplacestodineinSantaCruz,abeachtownof54,000peoplesouthofSanJose,knownforitsuniversityandthecarpetofredwoodsonitsfog-shroudedhills.RonLau,whois69,haslongtriedtobuildsomethingontheundevelopedpartoftheproperty-theholeintheground.Theproblem,cityofficialssay,isthatMr.Lauhasproposedhard-to-build,idealisticplans,involvingalternativeenergysourcesandunusualdesigns,thathavenevergottenofftheground,angeringsomenearbypropertyowners."Wedonotuseeminentdomainfrivolously,"saidCeilCirillo,executivedirectoroftheSantaCruzRedevelopmentAgency."Ifeelwehavebeenveryfairandverypatient."TakingtheLaupropertywouldservethepublicgood,Ms.Cirillosaid,"becausethereisaholeinthecenterofourretaildistrict."EricLauandhissisterLanisaythecityistakingtheirpropertysimplybecausetheirfathertooksomuchtimetotrytobuildsomethingunusual."Mydadwashellbentongettinghisdreamprojectbuilt,nothingless,andthathasbeenhisbiggestweakness,"EricLausaid.Thecityagencyhasofferedthefamily$1.6millionfortheproperty,andtheLausplantofightit.ItisunclearwhethertheamendmentwouldprotecttheLaus,buttheyhopetohangontothepropertylongenoughtofindout.AvoteontheamendmentwouldcomenosoonerthannextJune,legislativeleaderssay.Meanwhile,theLaussaytheyarewillingtomodifytheirplansandbuildsomethingclosetowhatthecityhasagreedtowithadeveloper.ButcityofficialssaythattheyhaverunoutofpatienceandthatitistoolatefortheLaustocomeupwithnewdesigns.Theyhaveanexclusiveagreement,Ms.Cirillosaid,withadeveloper,BoltonHill,totakeoverthepropertyandbuildonit."Theprojectismovingforward,"Ms.Cirillosaid."TheSupremeCourtgaveusreassuranceofourabilitytoproceed."AsforLausandtheirrestaurant,Ms.Cirillosaidtheremightstillbeaplacefortheminthenewdevelopment-aftertheysellout."Ideally,wewouldliketoseethemrelocatedinsomewaytotheproject,"shesaid.

Page 27: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

27

Name:_____________________

NorthCarolinaGeneralStatutes§40A-3(a).

• (Subsection1)“Corporations,bodiespoliticorpersonshavethepowerofeminentdomainforthe

constructionofrailroads,powergeneratingfacilities,substations,switchingstations,microwavetowers,roads,alleys,accessrailroads,turnpikes,streetrailroads,plankroads,tramroads,canals,telegraphs,telephones,electricpowerlines,electriclights,publicwatersupplies,publicseweragesystems,flumes,bridges,andpipelinesormainsoriginatinginNorthCarolinaforthetransportationofpetroleumproducts,coal,gas,limestoneorminerals.”StudentSummary:

• (Subsection2)“Schoolcommitteesorboardsoftrusteesorofdirectorsofanycorporationholdingtitletorealestateuponwhichanyprivateeducationalinstitutionissituated,havethepowerofeminentdomaininordertoobtainapureandadequatewatersupplyforsuchinstitution.”StudentSummary:

• (Subsection3)“FranchisedmotorvehiclecarriersorunionbusstationcompaniesorganizedbyauthorityoftheUtilitiesCommission,havethepowerofeminentdomainforthepurposeofconstructingandoperatingunionbusstations.”StudentSummary:

• (Subsection4)“Anyrailroadcompanyhasthepowerofeminentdomainforthepurposesof:constructinguniondepots;maintaining,operating,improvingorstraighteninglinesorofalteringitslocation;constructingdoubletracks;constructingandmaintainingnewyardsandterminalfacilitiesorenlargingitsyardorterminalfacilities;connectingtwoofitslinesalreadyinoperationnotmorethansixmilesapart;orconstructinganindustrialsiding.”StudentSummary:

Page 28: Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London · Eminent Domain and Kelo v. City of New London Overview In this lesson, students will explore the governmental power of eminent domain

28

AfterthehomesaregoneSanFranciscoChronicle,November28,2009

InitsinfamousKelodecisionin2005,theU.S.SupremeCourtruled5-4thataNewLondon,Conn.,redevelopmentagencycouldseizepeople'sprivatehomesbyeminentdomainnotonlyforpublicworksbutalsoforcorporatedevelopment.Thewell-laidplansofredevelopers,however,didnotpanout.ThelandwhereSusetteKelo'slittlepinkhouseoncestoodremainsundeveloped.Theproposedhotel-retail-condo"urbanvillage"hasnotbeenbuilt.Andearlierthismonth,PfizerInc.announcedthatitisclosingthe$350millionresearchcenterinNewLondonthatwastheanchorfortheNewLondonredevelopmentplan,andwillberelocatingsome1,500jobs."Theystoleourhomeforeconomicdevelopment,"oustedhomeownerMichaelCristofarotoldtheNewYorkTimes."ItwasallforPfizer,andnowtheygetupandwalkaway."JohnBrooks,executivedirectortheNewLondonDevelopmentCenter,toldtheAssociatedPress:"Development'sgoingtohappenoncetheeconomyrebounds."ButattorneyDanaBerlineroftheInstituteforJustice,whorepresentedKeloandotherhomeowners,noted,"Therewasevidencebackwhenwehadthetrialthatnothingwouldbebuiltonthelandthatwastaken,andthecourtsjustdidn'twanttolookatthat."Thecourtsweretooraptatthenotionofshinyandtax-richwaterfrontdevelopmenttocareabouttheimpactonlargelyblue-collartaxpayerswhosodesperatelywantedtoholdontotheirocean-viewhomes.Howcanthegovernmenttakecitizens'homessothatprivatecorporationscantakethelandfortheirownprofit?ExplainingthedecisiontotheClarkCountyBarAssociationin2005,JusticeJohnPaulStevensassertedthatthecourt"focusedonthepurposeoftheentireproject,ratherthanitsimpactontheindividualswhohappentoownpropertyinthetargetedarea."There'saproblemwithpaintingthepublicgoodwithsuchabroadbrush.AsJusticeSandraDayO'Connorwroteinherdissentingopinion:"Thespecterofcondemnationhangsoverallproperty.NothingistopreventthestatefromreplacinganyMotel6withaRitz-Carlton,anyhomewithashoppingmall,oranyfarmwithafactory."Whenitgoeswrong,toparaphrasethatJoniMitchellsong,theytakeparadiseandputupanemptylot.

Source:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/27/ED1D1ARCP5.DTL

Afterreadingtheeditorial,answerthefollowingquestions:

1. WhathappenedtoNewLondon’sredevelopmentplan?Whydoyouthinkthishappened?

2. ThecityofNewLondonandstateofConnecticutspent$78milliondollarstobulldozetheFortTrumbull

area(sourceWallStreetJournal),shouldPfizerberesponsibleforcoveringsomeofthecosts?Whyorwhy

not?

3. Describethepointofviewoftheeditorialwriters,doyouthinktheyagreeordisagreewiththeKelo

decision?

4. Afterreadingthiseditorial,hasyouropinionoftheKelodecisionchanged?Whyorwhynot?


Recommended