American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

In First English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Glendale v. County of Los Angeles, what can a property owner seek if their property is rendered unusable?

1. Compensation for damages sustained

2. Automatic land restoration

3. Unlimited access to alternative properties

4. Removal of all zoning regulations

The correct answer is: Compensation for damages sustained

In the case of First English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Glendale v. County of Los Angeles, the primary focus was on the concept of "temporary taking." When a property owner finds their property rendered unusable due to government action, litigation may allow them to seek compensation for damages sustained rather than physical restoration of the property or any form of alternative benefits. Property owners may argue that when their property is subject to a governmental regulation that deprives them of all economically beneficial use, they are entitled to compensation for the loss they incur during that period. This principle aligns with the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment, which protects property owners from being deprived of their property without just compensation. The other options, such as automatic land restoration, unlimited access to alternative properties, and the removal of all zoning regulations, do not address the legal remedy appropriate for the loss of use of a property. Instead, the case establishes the right of property owners to seek compensation for their losses, affirming the importance of providing redress for government actions that infringe upon property rights.