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There's the rub. Eminent domain was created for "the public good". Costco isn't the public, but a private business. No cause for eminent domain, the council is breaking the law, and know it...

The actions of the council are very wrong in my opinion. Truly appalling. However, I bet they could make a case that, by selling the land to a tax-paying entity, they are serving the public good. Now they can either provide more services, or lower taxes for the public. Isn't that peachy?

My opinion is that eminent domain done for "the public good" is just like everything else done for "the public good": a very bad idea. Property Rights are property rights.

Acting for the public good is what tyrants always claim to be doing.

Another angle to look as to where this can be applied in the future, if it is allowed to stand, is in downtown urban areas. Developers will be foaming at the mouth at the possiblility of obtaining a few acres from the old, established denominations.

The prospect of a tax base against a mega story skycraper versus a tax exempt church will be too much for liberal land thief politicians to ignore.