Source: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0882
Timestamp: 2018-01-23 02:13:40
Document Index: 37212097

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 1', '§ 19', '§ 19', '§ 19', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 15', '§ 25']

CHAPTER 882 An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-1800, 15.2-1814, and 25.1-108 of the Code of Virginia, to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 1-237.1, and to repeal § 15.2-1900 of the Code of Virginia, relating to eminent domain; definition of public uses. [H 2954] Approved April 4, 2007
1. That §§ 15.2-1800, 15.2-1814, and 25.1-108 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 1-237.1 as follows:
§ 1-237.1. Limitations on eminent domain.
D. Except where property is taken (i) for the creation or functioning of a public service corporation, public service company, or railroad; or (ii) for the provision of any authorized utility service by a government utility corporation, property can only be taken where: (a) the public interest dominates the private gain and (b) the primary purpose is not private financial gain, private benefit, an increase in tax base or tax revenues, or an increase in employment.
I. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the forfeiture of property under Chapters 22 (§ 19.2-369 et seq.), 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.), and 22.2 (§ 19.2-386.15 et seq.) of Title 19.2.
A. A locality may acquire by purchase, gift, devise, bequest, exchange, lease as lessee, or otherwise, title to, or any interests in, any real property, whether improved or unimproved, within its jurisdiction, for any public use. Acquisition of any interest in real property by condemnation is governed by Chapter 19 (§ 15.2-1900 15.2-1901 et seq.). The acquisition of a leasehold or other interest in a telecommunications tower, owned by a nongovernmental source, for the operation of a locality's wireless radio communications systems shall be governed by this chapter.
G. "Public use" as used in this section shall have the same meaning as in § 15.2-1900 1-237.1.
Any acquisition of property authorized by any provision of this chapter is hereby declared to be for a public use as the term "public uses" is used in § 15.2-1900 1-237.1.
§ 25.1-108. Offer of repurchase to former owner.
A. If a condemnor has acquired a fee simple interest in property by exercise of its power of eminent domain and subsequently declares that the property is surplus within 15 years of being vested with the title to such property, the condemnor shall offer, within 30 days following such determination, to sell such property to the former owner or his heirs or other successors or assigns of record. Upon completion of the stated public use or where the stated public use has been abandoned, the condemnor shall provide written notice, pursuant to subsection B, of such completion or abandonment to the former property owner or his heirs or other successors or assigns of record. Upon completion of the stated public use or where the stated public use has been abandoned, the former property owner or his heirs or other successors or assigns of record may make a written demand that the condemnor declare any excess property as surplus. The right to the offer of repurchase cannot be waived and any contractual provision or agreement waiving such right is void and unenforceable. The offer to sell shall be made by the condemnor at the price paid by the condemnor to the former owner plus interest at the annual rate of six percent; provided that the condemnor may increase the price by the fair market value of the condemnor's improvements, determined at the time the offer to sell is made. In no case shall the price established by the condemnor exceed the fair market value of the property at the time the offer to sell is made. If no written response is received by the condemnor from the former owner within 90 days after the offer to sell has been made, the former owner shall be deemed to have waived his right to the offer of repurchase.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a condemnor to offer to sell property the condemnor has acquired by the exercise of its eminent domain to a former owner after 15 years from the date that the condemnor is vested with the title to such property.
B. Notice of the offer to repurchase shall be sent by certified mail to (i) the last known address of the former owner and (ii) the address of the last owner of record as it appears in the tax records of the local treasurer.
C. This section shall not apply to property acquired by the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner pursuant to Title 33.1.
3. That, until July 1, 2010, the provisions of this act shall not affect the ability of a redevelopment and housing authority organized pursuant to Title 36 of the Code of Virginia to acquire property pursuant to any redevelopment or conservation plan adopted prior to January 1, 2007. However, the provisions of this act shall be applicable to all redevelopment and conservation plans adopted after January 1, 2007.
4. Nothing contained in this act shall prohibit the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority or the City of Norfolk to acquire property through the use of eminent domain for the location of a recreational facility open to the public to be owned or operated by a not-for-profit entity, provided such acquisitions are instituted prior to July 1, 2010.