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.