Eminent Domain

Where the Big Government can take control of a piece of private property when it wants to, "in the public interest". Sometimes it pays some amount in return.

http://archives.lists.indymedia.org/imc-nyc-discuss/2001-July/003757.html

http://tenant.net/pipermail/nytenants-online/2002-January/000135.html

David Sucher has written a fair amount about it.

Semi-related: restrictions on development of private lands

Malcolm Gladwell notes Oregon's Measure 37 to require greater compensation to property owners.

Louis Rosetto battled the city of Berkeley Ca over putting an addition onto his mother's home.