Page 18 August 2012 New rules Continued from page 12 permission to build, make improvements and open, the more likely they are to do so. That means jobs for construction, jobs in those new businesses and more money moving more quickly through our local economy. One feature of this entire push for development reform that has received less attention than it deserves is how it helps the little guy. When a big company like Apple is considering opening up someplace, cities fall all over themselves to simplify the process. That’s understandable, considering the number and level of jobs such an operations offers. But restaurants, dry cleaners, insurance of fi ces, retailers and service businesses also offer jobs, and in total a lot more than the big businesses. While cities fawned over an Apple expansion, Joe’s Burger Joint had to fi gure out what often feels like a Byzantine system without special attention. Now, if Joe partners with an architect or with engineers certi fi ed by the city (after special classes in city codes and requirements), he can zip through the system with the same speed and ease as an Apple. Then he could hire workers quicker. Small businesses have the broadest shoulders when it comes to job creation. It involves great personal and family risk and has the thinnest margins for delays, added expenses and unpredictable turns – like an inspector holding everything up for something that should have been caught earlier. Given that value to our economy, it’s about time these folks got some special attention and help. Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio represents District 6, which includes Ahwatukee, Arcadia, Biltmore, East Camelback and North Central. He can be reached at council.district.6@phoenix.gov or 602-262-7491. arcadiadaily.com arcadiadaily.com Landowners need to be prepared By Jennifer Cranston While the economy is still struggling, some public works projects put on hold during the recession have been given the green light. This means condemnation may be just around the corner and landowners should be prepared. Condemnation Authority. Eminent domain is the legal term for the government’s power to take --condemn-- private property. Entities with condemnation authority include the state, counties, cities, towns and utilities. To condemn, the government must demonstrate a “public use and necessity” for the property. The concept of “public use” is broad, and most attempts to challenge the government’s right to take property have been unsuccessful in Arizona. Condemnation disputes typically focus on how much the government must pay. Just Compensation. When the government exercises its power of eminent domain, it must pay “just compensation.” Just compensation is usually measured by the fair market value of the property taken plus any damage to the property remaining, which is called “severance damages.” Procedures. Under state law, the government must make a pre-litigation offer of just compensation to the landowner, accompanied by an appraisal. After 20 days, the government may fi le its complaint. Once served, the landowner must fi le an answer, otherwise the property can be condemned by default. Some entities can obtain immediate possession of the property and begin work before trial. In this situation, the government is required to post the amount of “probable damages” with the court, which the landowner may withdraw subject to certain conditions. The parties can then proceed to trial for Continued on page 26 Attorney Jennifer Cranston KACHINA Quality Dry Cleaning 602-955-5540 3926 E. Indian School Road Arcadia Family Owned & Operated Since 1959 Home & Office Pickup & Delivery Available Discover Madison schools. Madison Park Students receive their own l laptop. Madison Heights S Spanish Immersion Program Madison Simis Candidate for I International Baccalaureate® ŏ Internationally Accredited ŏ 2010 Magna Award Winner ŏ Full Day Kindergarten ŏ Before/After School Programs ŏ Preschool ŏ Madison No. 1 Grades 5-8 5525 N. 16th Street Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-664-7100 M Madison Camelview Grades Preschool-4 2002 E. Campbell Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-664-7200 M Madison Simis Grades Preschool-4 7302 N. 10th Street Phoenix, AZ 85020 602-664-7300 M Madison Rose Lane Grades Preschool-4 1155 E. Rose Lane Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-664-7400 M Madison Park Grades 5-8 1431 E. Campbell Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-664-7500 M Madison Meadows Grades 5-8 225 W. Ocotillo Phoenix, AZ 85013 602-664-7600 M Madison Heights Grades Preschool-4 7150 N. 22nd St. Phoenix, AZ 85020 602-664-7800 M Madison Traditional Grades Preschool-8 925 E. Maryland Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-745-4000 www.madisonAZ.org Please mention this ad.

Susan Tibbets Associate Broker, REALTOR® SFR Certi fi ed Of fi ce: 602.463.7000 E-mail: susan.tibbets@azmoves.com Web: www.ArcadiaHomes.com Here’s what a client of Susan’s has to say... YO U R P E R F E C T PA RT N E R S SUSAN TIBBETS & C O L D W E L L B A N K E R “It is very dif fi cult to understand the meaning of full service representation until you have lived it as I have. Susan is on top of absolutely everything imaginable so that you don’t have to. This allows for you to spend your time elsewhere, stress free of real estate transactions. Again, you must experience it to understand the difference between Susan and all of the others. After Susan, the others appear clone like, humdrum and very commonplace or average at best. It is not often that I write this type of letter, but, I would stake my own reputation on the ethics, sensitivity and honesty of Susan Tibbets. So much that she will list another home for me in the next couple of weeks. Respectfully submitted,” – Tracy Keck MARKET “REALITIES” • The supply of homes for sale is very low and falling • Sales prices are on the rise in Arcadia throughout the Phoenix/ Scottsdale Area • Short Sales, Foreclosures and home Loan Delinquencies are down and near market norms • Average Annual Appreciation (through July 12) is: Phoenix... +14.9% Scottsdale... +7.2% Paradise Valley... +6.8% (Source: The Cromford Report) OpenHouse.com HomeFinder.com Cyberhomes.com Wall Street Journal Online Trulia Realtor.com FrontDoor LosAngelesTimes Homes.com Yahoo! Real Estate Zillow AOL Real Estate NewYorkTimes Home buyers start online — so did we. 89% of home buyers are searching online. 1 To tap into this audience, we automatically syndicate your listing to the world’s leading Web sites, who, in turn, send your property data to over 300 web partners around the world. unparalleled exposure: Comprehensive Internet Marketing