David B. Snyder was quoted in the Philly.com article "'De Facto' Land Taking Could Cost Phila. Dearly Later." Full text can be found in the July 14, 2014, issue, but a synopsis is below.
Nine years after developers purchased a plot of undeveloped land in Philadelphia's Roxborough neighborhood, the land remains undeveloped and tied up in court where a judge says the city 'de facto' took the land from its owners by not paving a roadway.
The ruling could be costly for taxpayers if it is not overturned, as the city must pay owners for such takings. The developers are seeking more than $2.5 million from the city for the land.
According to David Snyder, "de facto eminent domain" claims such as this one are among the toughest to win, because owners must prove a government entity is "denying you the ability to use property for its highest and best use."
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