Opinion ID: 1937048
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Action on the Remand

Text: In summary, we hold that if on the remand Peck establishes an abandonment on the part of the County to the satisfaction of the trier of fact, then she is entitled to have her land valued upon the basis of an unencumbered fee simple title. If the trier of fact finds that the mini-park use is not within the scope of the County's easement, this may be taken into consideration in determining whether the County has abandoned since it will be a use different from that for which the easement is held. If no abandonment is found but it also is found that the mini-park use is not within the scope of the County's easement, this is an additional burden upon the fee for which the owner is entitled to compensation. In the latter event, however, because there will be a finding that the land is subject to a public easement for street purposes, the value of that which is taken will not be as high as it would be if Peck were possessed of an unencumbered fee simple title as would be the case if an abandonment were found. Judgment reversed; case remanded to the Court of Special Appeals for passage of an order reversing the judgment of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County and remanding the case to that court for trial, appellee to pay the costs.