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Riparian Buffer Case Summary

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The riparian buffer discussed in the fact pattern describe leaving a 50-foot buffer zone of natural land between both sides of all streams. The plaintiff, Roberta Smith, owns a 100-acre farm which has a stream flowing through it. Under the new riparian buffer regulation four of her 100 acres will be lost because the regulation will prevent her from growing any crops on this four-acre plot of land. The plaintiff argues that a regulatory taking has occurred and that she is entitled to compensation for her lost land. It is important to understand the distinction between eminent domain and a regulatory taking before going further. In Kelo and Village of Euclid eminent domain refers to situations where the government explicitly condemns private land for public use and justify the taking under the 5th …show more content…

Lucas found that in these situations compensation is required if the categorical taking criteria is met. Because only four acres of the plaintiff’s 100-acre farm were taken by the riparian buffer regulation compensation under a Lucas taking is not appropriate. Penn Central presents an ad hoc line of reasoning when determining if compensation is appropriate. Because of the Landmark Designation Act, Penn Central was not allowed to develop Grand Central Terminal when facing bankruptcy. Despite this, the decision Penn Central found that compensation was not necessary because Penn Central was granted Transferable Devleopment Rights where they could develop up to 20% above New York zoning code elsewhere. The court found that this counted as compensation. In the case of Roberta Smith, a Transferable Development Right should be awarded for the four acres taken by the riparian buffer regulation. She is incorrect in demanding compensation because she is allowed to either develop four acres under electrical wires or sell the rights. Either way this is an example of just

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