City Council Defeats Proposal To Define ‘Blight’ For Eminent Domain
ByDarren Hunt
EL PASO — City Councildefeated on Tuesday a proposalbyRep. Melina Castro that would define ‘blight’ in reference to portions of the city that may be overtaken using eminent domain regulations.
Members of council voted 4-to-3 to defeat an ordinance proposed that would have helped to specify how eminent domain could be applied in downtown El Paso.
Representatives Castro, Quintanaand Holguin voted in favor of the proposal, Castro saying she arrived at the definition used in the proposal from opponents of the ‘land grab.’
The group has formed the largest opposition to the downtown plan, but several of those council members who voted against the ordinance said they did so because the definition originated with the group.
Mayor John Cook said much of the heated discussion may ultimately be unnecessary. He said he would ensure any abuse of eminent domain through his veto power.
“As I’ve said many, many times, I don’t see that we’re going to have to use eminent domain in order to do the downtown revitalization,” Cook said.
He added that he understood business owners’ concerns about the city’s ability to force out groups seemingly at will, but that there are currently no plans to use eminent domain in the revitalization plans for the downtown district.
