Opinion ID: 1977492
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Issue of permitting experts to disregard zoning in testifying to valuations.

Text: As we have already indicated, the uncontroverted record in this case demonstrates the highest and best use of the subject property was for highway commercial and multi-family residential purposes. When owner's experts were asked their opinion of the value of the property, (without regard to zoning) before and after the date selected for condemnation the city typically objected that, [T]his is    incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial. It calls for the opinion, conclusion of this witness for which there is no proper foundation shown in the record. It is asking this witness to speculate that there is no zoning requirements on this particular piece of property, and such is beyond the opinion testimony of this witness. Of course, the major portion of the objection is so lacking in required specificity it would not serve to preserve error based on trial court's adverse ruling. State v. Raue, 214 N.W.2d 162, 163 (Iowa 1974); Heth v. Iowa City, 206 N.W.2d 299, 302 (Iowa 1973); Oehlert v. Kramer, 205 N.W.2d 723, 726 (Iowa 1973); Helland v. Yellow Freight System, Inc., 204 N.W.2d 601, 606 (Iowa 1973); State v. Davis, 196 N.W.2d 885, 894 (Iowa 1972). The same issue was apparently before this court in Hall v. City of West Des Moines, 245 Iowa 458, 467, 62 N.W.2d 734, 739 (1954) where the condemnor unsuccessfully argued trial court erred in permitting the owner's witnesses to testify to the value of the land for industrial purposes when the zoning ordinance made the property unavailable for industrial purposes. We declined to reverse, pointing out evidence of industrial growth in the area. In any event, under the instructions which became the law of this case the jury was permitted, following certain findings, to consider the highest and best use of the property without regard to zoning. It follows the jury was entitled to know the experts' opinions relating to the value of the subject property without the alleged illegal zoning restraint. In no other way could the jury members fix the appropriate damages.