City of Charlotte v. Heath

Preliminarily to the statement of the question, we observe that the choice of a route in a condemnation proceeding is primarily within the political discretion of the grantee of the power and will not be reviewed on the ground that another route may have been more appropriately chosen unless it appears that there has been an abuse of the discretion. Power Co. v. Wissler, 160 N. C., 269, 76 S. E., 267; Selma v. Nobles, 183 N. C., 322, 325, 111 S. E., 543.

In the exercise of the right of eminent domain, private property can be taken only for a public purpose and upon just compensation. Long v.…