Coachella Valley Water District v. Western Allied Properties, Inc.

Opinion

WIENER, Acting P. J.

The California Constitution guarantees the property owner in a condemnation action a jury trial on the question of “just compensation.” (Cal. Const., art. I, § 19.) In this appeal we decide the court’s evidentiary rulings improperly intruded on the jury’s role. We therefore reverse the judgment and remand the case for retrial of the jury phase consistent with the views expressed in this opinion. At the same time we affirm the court’s finding that Coachella Valley Water District complied with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (Pub.…