State lawmakers are considering an effort to make eminent domain laws more stringent through a constitutional amendment, according to the Roanoke Times.

This comes to light after the city condemned a property that is actually not in bad shape. This came about because Carilion had possibly expressed interest in the property when building the new Riverside Center. However, now Carilion does not need the property, but it is too late the the property owners lost out.

This is of concern to business owners, but also to homeowners. Stories like this can make businesses shy of relocating to certain areas, which can affect the local economy and property values.

Hopefully, in the future government officials and property owners will be able to come to solutions about properties in up-and-coming communities.

"The condemnation of property in Roanoke without a particular plan for its use has some legislators talking about changing Virginia's constitution.

'It points out the need that we have more work to do,' said Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, who was closely involved in tightening eminent domain laws two years ago to make it more difficult for governments to take land.

Cuccinelli, R-Fairfax County, said that when he takes over as attorney general next year, he will support a constitutional amendment to make the changes more lasting.

'This is the kind of thing that constitutions are supposed to protect us from,' Cuccinelli said of the recent condemnation of land that sits in the shadow of Carilion Clinic's Riverside Center.

The controversial process took a new turn this week when officials at Carilion said they had no interest in the property, which is currently the site of a flooring business on Reserve Avenue.

Although Carilion said it never included the 3-acre tract in its plans for an office complex and medical school, property owners Jay and Stephanie Burkholder dispute that.

The Burkholders contend that Carilion, which struck a deal with the city 10 years ago to redevelop the area, was the driving force behind the condemnation of their land by the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority."

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