Georgia Real Estate Commission GREC RENEWS Volume 1, Issue 9 September 2005 2005 Dates to Note October 7 Trust Account Class Calhoun/Gordon County Board of REALTORS (706) 625-9702 November 17-18 Georgia Instructor Training Workshop (GIT) Metro South Assoc. of Realtors (770-477-7579) December 1-2 GREC Annual Schools Meeting GREC Disciplinary Sanctions INSIDE THIS ISSUE: GIS 1 Free GIS Tools 1,2 Focus on Terminology: "Eminent Domain" Georgia Real Estate Commission Suite 1000, International Tower 229 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303-1605 GIS - Geographic Information Systems Geographic Information Systems (GIS) take advantage of technology to map visually a large volume of many types of data enabling the viewer to grasp the connection and interrelation of all the data in one map. Examples of the use of GIS range from weather forecasting to ownership and parcel identification. The application of GIS is virtually endless since it allows for planning and interpretation of data across many fronts including: Topographic Mapping Hurricane Relief Support Flood Analysis Coastal Mapping High-Resolution Aerial Photography Web-Publishing of Demographic Data Trends in Human Health & Environment Marine Ecosystem Monitoring Wetlands Inventory Mapping Satellite Images of the Ozone Layer Demographic Analysis As data becomes more readily accessible and less costly to obtain, numerous free GIS resources are available. The real estate agent can access online topographic and flood plain maps; property ownership information; conduct trend analysis for shopping habits; and integrate this information. Another example is the use of Census tracts and growth trends to aid the licensee in establishing a new service niche or improving his/her marketing plan. Federal and Local governments collect much of the information. It is available for taxpayers to compile and integrate for their own use. This issue of the GREC RENews provides a list of useful GIS links to assist licensees. Free GIS Tools: Federal GIS Resources: The National Map http://nationalmap.gov/ "An interactive website that allows you to design and print your own map or download map layers for use in other programs. Includes surface elevation, topography, boundaries, geographic names, transportation systems, structures, and more." U.S. Geological Survey Office: http://www.usgs.gov/ "As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems." USGS Store: http://store.usgs.gov/ Source for printed USGS products: paper maps, books, and other publications. USGS Statewide Topographic Maps: http://ga-ims.er.usgs.gov/website/drg24/viewer.htm USGS Maps and Aerial Photos Online: http://geography.usgs.gov/partners/viewonline.html Links to additional USGS sites to view USGS maps and aerial photo images USGS Topographic Maps of the United States: http://www.topozone.com Website to find a view a topographic map of anywhere in the United States, at various scales. National Wetlands Inventory Home Page: http://www.nwi.fws.gov/ View and print maps and digital wetland data American FactFinder: http://factfinder.census.gov/ Source of demographic data developed by the U.S. Census Bureau. 1 Georgia Real Estate Commission Suite 1000, International Tower 229 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303-1605 You can sign up to receive the GREC RENEWS electronic newsletter each month by visiting the GREC website or CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP RENews Newsletter Comments or Suggestions Click Here GREC Georgia GIS Resources Volume 1, Issue 9 September 2005 Georgia 2000 http://www.georgia2000.org/ "Georgia 2000 provides data from the 2000 Census, county vital statistics, economic development agencies, school districts and many more sources for Georgia and the Southeast. Free statistical reports and interactive map." University of Georgia Map Library, Georgia/Local Online Maps http://www.libs.uga.edu/maproom/online/local.html "The Map Collection is a modern, research level academic map library with large holdings of maps, aerial photos and imagery, atlases, digital spatial data, and reference materials." Find Your State Legislators and Congressional Representative Georgia Senate District Maps Georgia House District Maps These GIS links will be added to the Related Links section of the GREC Website for future use. Focus on Terminology: "Eminent Domain" The recent Supreme Court Ruling in the Delo v. City of New London case has drawn much attention to the issue of Eminent Domain. "Eminent Domain is a right vested in the state government and given by statute to local government, and even to certain private entities, to acquire private property without the consent of the property owner. Condemnation is the act of taking private property by using the power of Eminent Domain The government must use the property for a public use, purpose or benefit and must pay fair or just compensation to the owner." 1 The Supreme Court ruled that the city of New London, Connecticut, could condemn several private residences for the purpose of economic development in non-blighted areas of the city. There are many elements of this ruling that will be 2 challenged in future cases and situations. The definition of "public good" will no doubt be the basis for ongoing debates by legislative bodies and advocates of private property rights. "The rights of ownership are not absolute rights because there are public constraints on the owner's ability to use the property. The limits fall into five groups: the police powers of the state, eminent domain, taxation/assessment powers, escheat and forfeiture for crime. Governments use these controls and limits to provide social benefits to the citizens of the community. However, each property owner loses a degree of his or her individual rights in the process." 2 As a professional in real estate, and as a property owner, it is important to understand and protect the rights of property ownership. Source: 1Georgia Real Estate Guide to License Law, Brokerage and Related Topics, 1995 Edition, published by the Georgia Real Estate Commission, Page 16.3, Section A.16.09.) 2 Page 16 1 Section A 16 01