Eminent domain refers to government taking private property and converting it into public use. In that case the government must provide just compensation to the property owners. Our forefathers wanted our society to be fair to all. Our city council isn’t as enlightened as the authors of our Constitution.
Columbia Street bike lanes aren’t exactly eminent domain. One asset is taken (parking space) from one group (residents) and given to another group (bicyclists). The sacrifice is on Columbia Street residents. Compensation or compromise should be addressed.
One-way streets or different streets for northbound and southbound traffic could be fairer. Property tax could be forgiven for those residents who have no driveway or garage so they could make accommodations. Shame on the city council for their role (kudos for Bart Hansen who had the minority opinion).
It doesn’t make sense that bicyclists who pay no tax benefit at the expense of others who do support the government through property tax and automobile tax.
It’s unconscionable that Vancouver would bully this select group. Too bad the mayor and city council are not more kind or enlightened. Don’t they know this is wet, icy Washington, not California? People need cars and places to park them.
