Az property owners have constitution to protect vs. seizure

[cynatnite]

Arizona's Constitution will help protect property owners against condemnations by local governments that want to seize private land and turn it over to other businesses to spur economic development.
The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday ruled 5-4 in a New London, Conn., case that local governments can condemn private property, even the homes of longtime residents, under the banner of serving a public use - if the land will be developed and upgraded to generate taxes.

The high court upheld a lower court ruling that said New London could condemn and demolish homes to make way for riverfront commercial development.

Arizona's Constitution appears to outlaw such actions.

City Attorney Mike Rankin said it's unlikely that condemnations will get easier in Arizona because the Supreme Court's decision left in place the state's limitations on eminent domain powers, which are more restrictive than federal limitations.

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=local&story_id=062405a3_court_follo