Eminent Domain's Scary Precedent

Once upon a time Sound Transit posted on its website a meeting notice that included discussions about property decisions in South Tacoma and Lakewood related to its expansion.  The owners of the properties in question weren’t notified in any direct way and the decisions that came out of the meeting led to eminent domain actions.  I wrote about it in more detail here.  So now, after a protracted legal battle that ended in the State Supreme Court last week, the Miller family has lost their property and have signed over their land to Sound Transit. 

The State Supreme Court ruled that the Miller family was not entitled to “individualized notice” and that the website meeting notice was sufficient.  Following the ruling, Sound Transit cut their ‘offer’ in half – well below current market rate. 

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, the precedent scares me.  I’m not opposed to eminent domain as a tool.  However, I do believe the process should be in place to allow for public comment and proper public notice.  This whole case, from beginning to end, seems sloppy and the precedent is extremely unsettling.

Link to the Business Examiner

Previously on Exit133