Raping Private Property in Seattle

Via John Lopez of No Treason, I hear of something that should surprise no one who understands that stakes of what is involved: King County Council OK's controversial limits on developing rural land

The King County Council approved rules last night that would restrict development on rural land, over objections that the changes are draconian and would entangle the county in lawsuits.

[...]

The most controversial of the changes would require rural residents to leave between one-third and one-half of their land in a natural state, depending on lot size.

[...]

"I'm getting calls to recommend attorneys every day," said Rodney McFarland, president of the Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights. "What kind of society would we be if we let this go through without a legal challenge?"

What kind of society do you think you live in now, Mr. McFarland? That bridge has long since been crossed. You disagree? Well...

But opponents yesterday said that argument -- and the scientific studies cited by King County -- were too weak to withstand a court challenge.

They contend the county hasn't shown that the public benefit from the sweeping regulations would outweigh the harm done to private property owners by requiring them to leave the majority of their land untouched.
©1996-2004 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

BAM! You have granted their premises. You have said that this is fine as long as there is a "public benefit" that is larger than the aggregate individual harm done. Pfft. Your organization needs a new name, for it absolutely is not for property rights.

Because the county is bound by the state Growth Management Act to update regulations based on the latest scientific studies, doing nothing is legally and morally unacceptable, said Councilman Dow Constantine, D-Seattle.

"For generations to come, this legislation will help prevent flooding and erosion and protect our drinking water, streams and wetlands from being degraded by new development," said Constantine, who authored compromises on the legislation.

I'd like to see these commies squirm in teeth-baring confusion if it was demanded that their public-subsidied homeless shelters, libraries, community health clinics, and government buildings set aside 25% of their floor space to deteriorate back into the dirt they worship.

Posted by Drizzten at October 27, 2004 09:57 AM