Quelle Surprise !!!: Supreme Ct likely to take another crap on the Commons in favor of the wealthy

[marmar]

Beachfront Property Rights May Be Backed by U.S. Supreme Court Share Business
By Greg Stohr


Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Supreme Court considered bolstering the rights of oceanfront property owners, as justices questioned a Florida program that protects against erosion by adding sand and creating new strips of public beach.

A group of landowners in the Florida panhandle contend that the program, at least as interpreted by the state’s highest court, violates the U.S. Constitution by converting their oceanfront homes into ocean-view property.

Hearing arguments today in Washington, several justices said they worried that landowners might find their once-private beaches filled with food vendors, amusement parks, portable toilets and raucous college students.

“You could have televised spring-break beach parties in front of somebody’s house,” Justice Samuel Alito said.

Other justices pointed to protections in Florida law that give landowners a right of access to the water and bar permanent structures on the new strips. The law also guarantees that affected property won’t be reduced in size by erosion.

“I’m not sure it’s a bad deal” for the landowners, Justice Antonin Scalia said. “And they’re guaranteed against further loss of property.” .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a8Q_u6m9BUPc&pos=9

[DJ13]

1. The answer would be for Florida to stop the erosion program

Soon those beachfront homeowners would own worthless property that was half submerged.

[marmar]

2. Very true.....and probably not that far off.

nt

[Demoiselle]

3. EGGZACLY, DJ!

I remember a time (I'm very old) when if you wanted to build right on the beach, you took your chances with erosion. You couldn't buy insurance. Now we have Federally backed flood insurance that covers those losses. I'm all for protecting people against natural disasters...but...gazillionaire's beach properties that really shouldn't be there in the first place? And now they're complaining about being protected by brand new and extremely expensive sand that's going to have to be replaced regularly? Cheesh.

[Lance_Boyle]

4. Winner. n/t