Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Eminent Domain at Park of Commerce is NOT for a public benefit

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The City of Lake Worth wants to use its powers of eminent domain at the Park of Commerce. They believe that developing the POC is the city's salvation. The City Commission voted to do that and it passed on a 4/1 vote with Commissioner Ryan Maier dissenting.

The property may be taken either for government use or by delegation to third parties, who will devote it to public or civic use or, in some cases, to economic development. And that's what we are doing here in Lake Worth--economic development. "The most common uses of property taken by eminent domain are for government buildings and other facilities, public utilities, highways, and railroads.  Some jurisdictions require that the condemnor make an offer to purchase the subject property, before resorting to the use of eminent domain."  Lake Worth will offer the two owners involved 125% of its appraised value or seize the land.

How much did this eminent domain attorney cost the city who says, "the project is clearly for a public purpose." Don't we pay Torcivia law firm enough money? How does this eminent domain lawyer, William Doney with the law firm of Caldwell Pacetti Edwards Schoech & Viator LLP conclude that this is all for a public purpose?  How is it any public benefit? The only "benefit" is supporting this commission's desire to spend a hell of a lot of money for infrastructure, storm water drainage, utilities, etc. for private development. Developers get 100% off the hook.

Eventually this private development, if it even comes to the Park of Commerce, will be contributing to the tax base but it could take 100 years before those ad-valorem taxes covers the initial cost of all this infrastructure even if every square inch out there is developed.

This clearly is NOT a public benefit. What it is--a land grab and one gigantic expense for the taxpayers if Lake Worth gets its way.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

How is this going to benefit me? Don't get it but perhaps all those who voted for it can explain it.

Weetha Peebull said...

"In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution." —Thomas Jefferson, fair copy of the drafts of the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798

Anonymous said...

How is the Mayor going to get the 3.2 million dollars? With speed traps like the one set up on Federal in front of her ,Maxwell's and Szerdi's offices????

Weetha Peebull said...

Field of Demolished Dreams: 10 Years After Kelo v. London

10 Years later and it still doesn't work!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNL_s9Cud9Q&feature=youtu.be

Anonymous said...

I thought their offices were on Dixie… right in The City Hall building Who says they have other offices on Federal Hwy? Get your facts straight!

Lynn Anderson said...

@11:29--their business offices are in the same building from what I understand.

Anonymous said...

Only the Mayor has her personal business office at the Promenade building on N. Federal Hwy. Szerdi and Maxwell do NOT have offices there.

Lynn Anderson said...

John Szerdi:
Living Designs
120 N Federal Hwy
Lake Worth, Florida 33460

Pam Triolo:
First Impressions
120 N. Federal Hwy., Suite 201
Lake Worth, FL 33460

Scott Maxwell: hard to know as he uses a POBox and he is licensed out of his home.
JOHN MICHAEL EARLY of LIBERTY REAL ESTATE in Loxahatchee holds his license

Anonymous said...

Ya know, I think I'll stick with what I do know, and use their official City Hall address for my written remarks to all elected officala and not rely on rumor, speculation, and conjecture and risk my mail being returned...

Lynn Anderson said...

I'm sorry, anonymous @ 12:08...there must be some confusion. City business DOES go to their office at City Hall. But their employment outside of being a commissioner is located elsewhere.
Where is the rumor, speculation and conjecture here?