Eminent Domain and Takings

Act 45 of 2018 (eminent domain and conservation easements)

2018
Organizations/Sources: Pennsylvania General Assembly
Act 45 of 2018 (which originated as House Bill 2468) provides that for most uses of eminent domain: "The orphans’ court shall review the proposed condemnation and approve the proposed condemnation only if the court determines there is no reasonable and prudent alternative to the utilization of the land subject to a conservation easement for the project."
Last Modified
Jan 14, 2020
Viewed
4284 times

Condemnation of Lands of George and Grace Laughlin, Appeal of Keystone Outdoor Advertising Company, Inc. (2003)

2003
Organizations/Sources: PA Commonwealth Court
Commonwealth Court case upholding the authority to take private property by a municipality because the property was identified on the official map as a location on which the township had proposed to build a park.
Last Modified
Jul 18, 2012
Viewed
11170 times

Condemning Conservation: Protecting the Public Interest and Investment...

Organizations/Sources: University of Utah
The public is investing substantial financial and other resources in conservation easements and the conservation and historic values they protect. Yet little has been written about who should be entitled to what when land encumbered by a conservation easement is condemned in whole or in part. This Article explores these issues.
Last Modified
Oct 16, 2009
Viewed
3916 times

Eminent Domain and Conserved Land in Pennsyslvania

2021
This guide provides a basic review of the eminent domain law of Pennsylvania and the United States as it applies to conserved land and conservation easements. An 8-page guide.
Last Modified
Jul 01, 2021
Viewed
2071 times

Ephrata Area School District versus County of Lancaster, Borough of Ephrata, and Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board

2007
Organizations/Sources: PA Commonwealth Court
On 12/27/07, the PA Supreme Court reversed a divided Commonwealth Court panel, ruling in Ephrata Area School District versus County of Lancaster, Borough of Ephrata, and Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board that the School District must secure consent of the County in order to obtain a right-of-way over privately owned land that is subject to an open space property interest vested in the County. To quote from the opinion: "This appeal presents a question of first impression: whether, under the Open Space Lands Act, 32 P.S. § 5001 et seq., appellee, Ephrata Area School District, must secure the consent of appellant, the County of Lancaster, in order to obtain a right-of-way over privately owned land that is subject to an open space property interest vested in the County. Overruling the trial court, a divided Commonwealth Court panel determined that consent was not required under Section 5011 of the Act in this instance, based on the fact that the County is not a fee simple owner of the property. Based upon the plain language of Section 5011, as well as the agreement granting the open space easement, we disagree and, therefore, reverse." The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association joined with the Lancaster County Agricultural Preservation Board, Lancaster Farmland Trust, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and others in working to attain this Supreme Court ruling. Both the majority and dissenting opinion are available for download.
Last Modified
Jul 18, 2012
Viewed
6285 times

Taking of Land by Townships for Recreational & Open Space Purposes

2005
Organizations/Sources: Saul & Ewing LLP
A review of the recent court case, Middletown Township v. Lands of Stone, in which the Commonwealth Court upheld a 2nd class township's right to condemn land for open space.
Last Modified
Feb 01, 2010
Viewed
4239 times