Willsey v. Kansas City Power & Light Co.

Foth,C.J.:

Kansas City Power and Light Company appeals from a $39,300 judgment awarded by a jury to the landowners in an easement condemnation proceeding. The primary issue is whether the trial court erred in permitting the jury to consider expert valuation testimony based in part on the impact on market value of “buyer resistance” based on popular fear of high-voltage electric transmission lines.

Donald and Marjorie Willsey owned an undeveloped 75-acre tract of land near Lenexa, in Johnson County. It was an east-west 80, less the southeast five acres, with its shortened eastern side fronting…