By Susan Vela
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NORWOOD - A new group wants to expand to other communities to fight blight designations that leave neighborhoods vulnerable to eminent domain proceedings.

Nick Motz, co-leader of Citizens Against Eminent Domain Abuse, wants to join forces with residents in Evendale, Fairfield, West Chester Township and other Tristate communities.

"The more support we have, the better," he said. "The group is open to anyone, regardless of where you live. Remember, if the city of Norwood can take our private property only to hand (it) over to another private property owner, then no private property is safe, including where your business or house currently sits."

He said he has been receiving input and concerned calls from residents throughout Greater Cincinnati.

He believes coordinated letter-writing campaigns and appearances at council sessions could be effective.

Citizens Against Eminent Domain Abuse formed last month after two developers - Anderson Real Estate and Miller-Valentine Group - asked Norwood City Council to pursue an "urban renewal study" on property bounded by Interstate 71 and Edwards and Edmondson roads.

The study would determine whether the neighborhood is "blighted," a designation developers need to request eminent domain proceedings - the city's taking of holdout properties - if they can't persuade all 79 home and business owners to sell.

Mr. Motz is working with Castle Coalition, an activist group that works under the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Justice, a watchdog group that tries to set case precedent in eminent domain law.

Representatives from both groups visited Norwood, Evendale and West Chester Township Wednesday.

For more information, e-mail Mr. Motz at nick@wilkerdesign.com.

E-mail svela@enquirer.com