When City Planners Attack
So, you’re big oil and gas corporation and you happen to own an island. You decide you want to donate the land for a nature preserve. You’re wrong. You should develop the island. Actually, the city will take it and do it for you:
Pennsauken officials are poised to take a major step next week toward taking Petty’s Island as part of a $1 billion waterfront redevelopment project.
On Wednesday, the township committee is expected to pass an ordinance authorizing Pennsauken to begin acquiring the 292-acre island through eminent domain. The island’s owner, Citgo Petroleum Corp., is opposed to the development and wants to donate the land as a nature preserve.
And there’s some brilliant reporting:
The township has the right to take Petty’s Island through eminent domain because it is in a redevelopment zone.
My copy of the Constitution doesn’t mention redevelopment zones.
