American Dream

Durham, NC — The Kelo decision subjugating private property rights to economic-development interests grabbed headlines recently, but another danger to property rights has resurfaced from another quarter: arbitrary zoning decisions. A decision in one such case, struck City Councilman Paul Williams as unfair, and he had it reversed. In response, local planners have increased the paper work required of petitioners. If a petitioner wants to rezone property in a way that conflicts with Durham's comprehensive plan, the petitioner must not only apply for a change to the zoning map, but must simultaneously make an application to amend the comprehensive plan itself.