No Eminent Domain For Private Development

Dear Editor,

Morgan Hill should work with the owners of the buildings within the Morgan Hill Plaza to upgrade the appearance and to find a high quality business to replace the Albertsons market. The use of eminent domain is not the answer. The corner is not “blighted,” though it may not fulfill everyone’s idea of a desirable vision for people entering the city. The gas station is the main business that is seen by incoming traffic on Dunne Avenue and perhaps the city could work with the owner of that business to improve the appearance.  In America, we expect some rights and one of those is the right to own and operate a business (legally). There have been suggestions that the city might purchase the shopping center and turn it over to a developer. This is a very wrong idea. Just because the corner does not fit someone’s idea of a desirable shopping center, does not mean that eminent domain is appropriate.  

If the concern about visitor impression is so high, I wonder why the planners did not try to create a pleasant vision at the entrance of Cochrane at Monterey Road. The Arco station, recently built at that location is not beautiful, nor representative of the city. 

No eminent domain for private development.

Nancie Barker, Morgan Hill