| Educate yourself about Prop. 90
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I want to ask the community to please learn all it can before casting it's ballot for Prop. 90 on Tuesday. The dangers of this proposition are hidden behind the very important eminent domain issue. We certainly need reform in this area, but Prop. 90 is NOT the way to do it.
Prop. 90 wants to change the way the compensation for eminent domain takings take place and increase it's scope, giving anyone with any degree of compensation an invitation to sue. In other words, if zoning is changed that diminishes an owner's property value, the government mush to reimburse her for it, every penny. Sounds great right?
The problem is where the government (read: YOUR tax dollars) is going to get this money. The result is that planners and zoners will be afraid to do anything without being sued or owing huge compensatory damages. This will strip local governments of the ability to pass laws to protect our communities and our environment. It will prevent us from ensuring clean water, reducing pollution and preserving critical habitat.
This proposition is based on Prop. 37 passed in Oregon last year. To date, more than 2,600 Prop. 37 claims have been made against state and local government seeking over $6 billion dollars in total compensation. Where would this money come from? Taxpayers.
Oregon is now faced with providing compensation for, or allowing development of, commercial space on farmland, a gravel pit in a neighbor's back yard, and development on protected forestland.
Please consider the broad implications of this proposition. I ask you this as a RP native and a graduate student in urban planning and environmental policy. This proposition will prohibit planner's ability to maintain the community character of our city. It will paralyze good planning practices that promote logical and safe zoning, healthy local economies, and protection of parks and open spaces. And it could cost taxpayers millions.
Amelia Schmale
Rohnert Park
Prop. 90 wants to change the way the compensation for eminent domain takings take place and increase it's scope, giving anyone with any degree of compensation an invitation to sue. In other words, if zoning is changed that diminishes an owner's property value, the government mush to reimburse her for it, every penny. Sounds great right?
The problem is where the government (read: YOUR tax dollars) is going to get this money. The result is that planners and zoners will be afraid to do anything without being sued or owing huge compensatory damages. This will strip local governments of the ability to pass laws to protect our communities and our environment. It will prevent us from ensuring clean water, reducing pollution and preserving critical habitat.
This proposition is based on Prop. 37 passed in Oregon last year. To date, more than 2,600 Prop. 37 claims have been made against state and local government seeking over $6 billion dollars in total compensation. Where would this money come from? Taxpayers.
Oregon is now faced with providing compensation for, or allowing development of, commercial space on farmland, a gravel pit in a neighbor's back yard, and development on protected forestland.
Please consider the broad implications of this proposition. I ask you this as a RP native and a graduate student in urban planning and environmental policy. This proposition will prohibit planner's ability to maintain the community character of our city. It will paralyze good planning practices that promote logical and safe zoning, healthy local economies, and protection of parks and open spaces. And it could cost taxpayers millions.
Amelia Schmale
Rohnert Park
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