Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the County Legislature
shall not use eminent domain authority to take private property for
economic development purposes without the willing and informed consent
of the current owner(s) of the property.
The term "economic development" means any activity to increase
tax revenue, tax base, employment, housing or general economic health;
provided, however, that any of the following activities shall not
constitute economic development:
A. The transfer of land to public ownership or to the ownership of a
public utility; or
B. The acquisition of abandoned property, where the County has made
diligent efforts to locate the owner of the property.