House panel boosts rights to acquire blighted property

A bill that gives property owners and surrounding residents more rights when it comes to blighted property unanimously passed the House Political Subdivisions Committee Thursday.

HB365, sponsored by Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, does allow a city's renewal agencies to acquire blighted property by eminent domain without the owner's consent if 75 percent of property owners with at least 50 percent of the property value within the urban renewal project petition for action.

"Of course, we know that this is a tough issue, and we want to do our best to respect private property," Urquhart said. "I think everyone recognizes the importance of dealing with blighted property. I mean someone with blighted property creates problems with the community and property values go down."

In some cases, the bill says a city would have to help with relocation costs for the owner of the property.