Readers will recall the Ahmad Mesdaq case that I blogged about here—San Diego is condemning unblighted, commercially viable—indeed fashionable and profitable!—property for the benefit of private development in the Gaslamp District. Unfortunately, when Mr. Mesdaq tried to introduce evidence to show that the Redevelopment Agency’s resolution to take his property was faulty, the trial court refused to accept that evidence, and held that the existence of any evidence whatsoever—no matter how weak—in support of the Redevelopment Agency’s decision was enough to support seizing his land. The Court of Appeal refused to step in and protect Mr. Mesdaq.
Now he’s filed a petition for review in the State Supreme Court. Today, I filed an amicus letter on behalf of the Pacific Legal Foundation and the Institute for Justice urging the Court to take the case. In the meantime, Mr. Mesdaq has been given until April 8 to vacate the premises.
