Opinion ID: 848629
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: dep't of transportation v vanelslander

Text: My view is not inconsistent with our decision in VanElslander, supra . In that case, the Department of Transportation took a portion of the defendants' land. As a consequence, a building on the remainder of the land was in violation of local setback requirements. The department attempted to introduce evidence that it was reasonably possible for the defendants to mitigate the effect of the taking on the uncondemned building by obtaining a zoning variance. A variance could have cured the set-back violation and avoided loss of the building. On appeal to this Court, the department argued that the defendants' appeal was moot because the building had been demolished. We held that the evidence showing the possibility of obtaining a variance was admissible. Also, the fact that the building had been demolished did not render the appeal moot. VanElslander, supra at 132, 594 N.W.2d 841. In determining just compensation, the jury in VanElslander was entitled to hear of the likelihood that, at the time of the taking, a variance might have been sought and granted. Similarly, the jury in this case was entitled to hear evidence showing the likelihood of rezoning. But just as subsequent demolition was not an appropriate consideration when determining damages in VanElslander, neither was subsequent rezoning an appropriate consideration here.