Merced Irrigation District v. Woolstenhulme

Opinion

TOBRINER, J.

In response to the mounting social, environmental and health crises of recent years, governmental authorities have considerably expanded the planning and construction of “public improvements.” Because the definite commencement of a public project is almost invariably preceded by significant publicity and public interest, land values in the vicinity of the potential project often will increase in response to this foreknowledge. A recurring issue in eminent domain litigation is whether, and to what extent, such increases 1 in land values attributable to the proposed project…