Case evaluation, a process to compel settlements, has been changed to remove sanctions that disproportionately impacted property owners in condemnation cases.

Consumers Power is seeking easements to facilitate construction of a new natural gas pipeline. Consumers’ promotional material includes a map of the route and indicates that it will be constructed in two phases.

Bills relating to short term vacation rental and gravel mining zoning regulations test competing principles of government.

The Michigan legislature is evaluating two laws relating to local zoning ordinances.

The Benzie County Record Patriot Reports that the Frankfort Dow Memorial Airport is seeking additional property rights from multiple owners.

The Frankfort Dow Memorial Airport is currently seeking to acquire avigation rights from neighboring property owners. I am currently representing an owner who received a good faith offer and is heading toward a condemnation.

The Airport has acquired three of nine Runway Protection Zone properties and is reported to be seeking easements for the balance of them.

According to the Traverse City Record Eagle, the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is engaged in acquiring properties in order to protect its Runway Protection Zone or RPZ. In a May 21, 2021 article, the Record Eagle describes the process of acquiring three of nine RPZ properties and quotes the airport director, who indicated that “For the six remaining properties — two on the west side and four on the east side of the runway — the NRAC will likely seek easements…”

Recently, I have observed increased activity involving small airport easement acquisitions, which may be attributable to the temporary elimination of local airport funding contributions.

I have extensive experience handling eminent domain cases involving the imposition of avigation easements. Avigation easements facilitate airport activities, including by allowing removal of trees, restriction on construction or activities involving the gathering of people, and prohibition of certain conduct deemed hazardous to airports like activities that attract birds or generate smoke. Recently, I have been contacted by property owners being subjected to takings for small, local airports.

A federal ban on evictions was overturned as being outside the statutory powers delegated to the Center for Disease Control.

During the COVID pandemic, there have been a number of state and national efforts to prevent landlords from evicting residential tenants. Recently, in a case titled Alabama Association of Realtors v United States Department of Health and Hum Services, a moratorium issued by the CDC was overturned.

Macomb County recently filed an eminent domain action to acquire road right of way on 23 Mile Road between Romeo Plank and North.

Macomb County no longer has an independent road commission, with the County itself fulfilling that role. Recently, Macomb County filed an eminent domain action to acquire road right of way on the north side of 23 Mile Road between Romeo Plank and North Avenue. The County’s website indicates that the project entails “reconstruction of existing asphalt road to five-lane concrete road, storm sewer construction, utility relocations, signal improvements, and restoration work.” It is scheduled to be completed by September.

New takings by ITC or METC likely to provide transmission line infrastructure to support DTE’s Meridian Park Windfarm in Midland and Saginaw Counties.

DTE has been proceeding with a new windfarm in three townships in Midland and Saginaw Counties. Porter and Mount Haley Townships in Midland County and Jonesfield Township in Saginaw County have been targeted for the new windfarm for a while. A recent newspaper article confirmed that construction on 70 wind turbines is intended to begin in April.

The federal appeals court covering Michigan recognized that impacts on access suffered as a result of the reconstruction of a driveway may support a takings claim.

CHKRS, LLC v City of Dublin, No. 20-3435, 2021 WL 21808 (6th Cir Jan 4, 2021), addresses standing and the substance of takings claims relating to a residential driveway.

This case originated in Ohio and was heard by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The holding is pertinent in Michigan because the case involves analysis of federal law that applies in Michigan, federal law often informs Michigan state court decisions, and the Sixth Circuit includes the federal courts located in Michigan.

The Michigan Court of Appeals held that agencies appealing a denial of necessity must seek leave and do not enjoy a right to appeal but limited successful property owner attorney fee reimbursement in limited instances.

The Michigan Court of Appeals recently issued Consumers Energy Co v Storm, which is a decision for publication relating to a successful necessity challenge.

“Plaintiff sought an easement on defendants’ property that would stretch 80 feet from plaintiff's powerline onto defendants’ property, and would allow plaintiff to enter defendants’ property as necessary to maintain the powerline and to manage vegetation on the property that could threaten the line.” The property owners successfully challenged necessity.

MDARD approved a client’s site plan in accord with the new Farm Market GAAMP.

All reasonable attorney fees, including on appeal, are reimbursable after challenging a taking on jurisdictional or necessity reasons.

Ann Arbor is seeking grants of new easements in an area north of Dexter Avenue and West Huron Street, between Lyn Anne Court and Arbana Drive.

Last week, the Michigan Supreme Court declined to adopt a narrow view of the unique or special injury element in inverse condemnation, allowing Flint water plaintiffs’ case to proceed.

Plans will be released in September for a major road widening and non-motorized pathway project.

The Department of Agriculture exercised power granted by the Right to Farm Act to issue a new Farm Market Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices that expands preemption of local ordinances.

A recent decision prohibits government agencies that foreclose on property for unpaid taxes from keeping excess amounts to the extent that the proceeds of the auction sale are greater than the delinquency owed.

Notwithstanding what a right of way agent may tell you, Michigan law recognizes your right to obtain an independent appraisal at the agency’s expense and attorney consultations are generally handled on a contingency fee basis.

Certain steps should be taken in commercial leases eminent domain provisions regardless of whether they are negotiated from the perspective of the landlord or tenant.