Court Opinion

ID: 9549712
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 18:23:46.934337+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:20:48.133116
License: Public Domain

NOBLE, Justice (concurring specially). I concur in the opinion except as to the disposition of that portion which applies to the value of the easement, the basis of which is that market value of the easement area testified to did not represent the “full fee value” of the easement areas taken. Absent, as here, any evidence that the “full fee value” of the easement areas taken was higher than the unit value of the larger tracts from which the easements were taken, the jury should not be permitted to speculate as to a value different from that testified to by the witnesses. Baros v. Kazmierczwk, 68 N.M. 421, 362 P.2d 798. The judgment in the condemnation proceeding was the confirmation of the commissioner’s report assessing the damages. State ex rel. State Highway Commission v. Marquez, 67 N.M. 353, 355 P.2d 287. The condemnor appealed to the district' court from that judgment as provided by Section 22-9-8, N.M.S.A., 1953 Comp, and a jury trial de novo was had. Upon such appeal, the burden is upon the party appealing to establish the damage or the lack of it. In . this case, the condemnor introduced testimony as to the market value of the easement area taken based upon the per acre value of the whole tract. The value thus established was testified to as its market value before the taking. No evidence was adduced as to any value the easement area had after its return to the landowner upon installation of the pipe line. It is uncontradicted that the lands from which the easement areas were carved were irrigated farming tracts and that it would have been impossible to irrigate the remaining lands unless the surface of the easement areas were restored to their original levels. These consequential damages were separately awarded and are not made the basis, of the appeal. Appellant contends that because consequential damages were awarded to compensate for placing the surface of the easement strips as nearly as possible in their former condition, the verdict assessing the damage for the value of the easement areas at their market value is excessive and amounts to an award of double damages. Absent evidence of any value after the taking, the jury will not be permitted to speculate as to such value, if any. Baros v. Kazmierczwk, supra. Furthermore, appellant proceeded throughout the trial on the theory that market value was the proper basis of the award and having offered no evidence of any value after the taking will not now be permitted to alter its position. Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District v. Crabtree, 69 N.M. 197, 365 P.2d 442; Hendricks v. Hendricks, 55 N.M. 51, 226 P.2d 464; Horton v. Atchison, T. & S. F. Railway Company, 34 N.M. 594, 288 P. 1065.