The ICP will be joining forces with the Save Ardmore Coalition (SAC) and providing assistance in their efforts to responsibly revitalize Ardmore, Pennsylvania business district. SAC opposes the redevelopment plan promoted by Lower Marion Township in that it would lead to the destruction (quite literally) of a number of historic buildings and dramatically change the nature of the community. The currently approved plan would almost certainly involve the use of eminent domain to condemn some or all of the properties impacted under the bizarre line of thought that private property can be taken by a government entity for redistribution to other private parties if the net impact is a perceived public benefit.

Although eminent domain is clearly within the powers of local governmental bodies, the issues that will be raised in the Ardmore case press the concept well past the breaking point of logic and reason. In essence, existing properties will be taken and demolished to make room for new, private commercial ventures that will be more “attractive” and yield higher tax revenues. If this concept is successful, no property (including the proposed renovated area in Ardmore) is safe from being condemned by the government if a “better” use is proposed.

Stay tuned to this issue because it is very likely to develop into an enormously important case with repercussions that will resonate on the state and national stages.

For more information please see:

http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/

http://www.preservationist.net/zoning_land_use/eminent_domain.htm

http://www.preservationist.net/zoning_land_use/regulatory_takings.htm

http://www.preservationist.net/zoning_land_use/property_rights.htm