The Ohio 3rd District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of landowners in a prominent eminent domain case, Columbia Gas of Ohio versus Bailey Family/Arno Renner Trust. The court held that Columbia Gas failed to demonstrate that the taking of the property was necessary, and that further review was needed regarding the agricultural easement issue.
The case has important implications for Ohio's farmland preservation programs, which allow landowners to enter into agricultural easements to ensure that their land remains in agriculture for future generations. The Ohio Farm Bureau, which supported the landowners in this case, emphasized the significance of the state's farmland preservation program and the need for broader eminent domain reform.
The court's decision is a victory for the Bailey Family and the Arno Renner Trust, and for all landowners who seek to protect their land from eminent domain. The ruling underscores the importance of agricultural easements and farmland preservation programs in preserving Ohio's agricultural heritage for generations to come.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: Ohio, General