Voters Urged to Support Limits on Eminent Domain
The Edison (N.J.) Sentinel reports on the eminent domain limitation initiative on the ballot in Edison Township this November.
"We want to take a stand against the use of eminent domain for the sole purpose of the government taking someone's land and in turn giving that land to a private entity without the consent of the property owner," Mayor Jun Choi said at a press conference last week to announce the ballot question.
However, the township reserves the right to take land away from a private owner for public uses.
"[The ordinance] applies to private economic development purposes," Choi said. "We still reserve the right for public uses, such as a small piece of land where we would put up a traffic light in a dangerous area.
"There are legitimate purposes that support the broader purpose. We want to limit the use of this power for private purposes."