STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PUBLIC WORKS BD. v. Bragg

Opinion

KLEIN, P. J.

Plaintiff and appellant State of California, acting by and through the state Public Works Board (Board), appeals from a judgment awarded defendant and respondent Patricia Bragg (Bragg) in an eminent domain action.

For reasons hereinafter expressed, the judgment is reversed.

Procedural and Factual Background

On April 22, 1982, the Board filed an eminent domain action to condemn parcels of land in the Santa Monica Mountains. As owner of one of the parcels, Bragg filed an answer. The only issue set for trial was the fair market value of the parcel.

A local rule of the Los Angeles…