City of Ripon v. Sweetin

Opinion

SIMS, Acting P. J.

This dispute in these consolidated appeals involves (1) valuation of property taken in eminent domain for a highway interchange project, and (2) litigation costs. Plaintiff City of Ripon (City) valued the property at $190,000, with light industrial use being the “highest and best use” of the property. The property owners, defendants Marshall C. Sweetin and Billie A. Sweetin, asserted the value was $356,000, based on “highway commercial” use being the “highest and best” use to which the property was reasonably adaptable. Over the City’s objection, the trial court…