Court Opinion

ID: 9595149
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 00:36:32.727786+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:29:52.016562
License: Public Domain

Bobbitt, J.,
concurring in dissent. The judgment is reversed on the ground the court’s factual findings establish the Highway Commission’s legal right to condemn a right-of-way over defendants’ land. As to this, I dissent, being in accord with the views expressed in the dissenting opinion of Justice Sharp.
Of course, if the Highway Commission is permitted to condemn *250the right of way, thereafter the road will be available for use by the public, generally as a part of the highway system. The question is whether it is being condemned for use by the public generally or for use exclusively in connection with Associated Transport’s premises and business. The road does not extend through Associated Transport’s premises but stops at its property line. All anticipated use thereof, however extensive, will be by persons employed by or having business with Associated Transport.
General economic. benefit to the community of a private business or industry, old or new, is not sufficient to justify the exercise of the power of eminent domain in its behalf. Otherwise, the State could exercise its power of eminent domain to condemn land for use as a site for such business or industry. ■
Neither Associated Transport nor; Burlington Industrial Corporation has the power of eminent domain, an attribute of sovereignty. Here, the Highway Commission is. attempting to exercise its right of eminent domain to do for the Associated Transport what it would do if it had such right. The Burlington Industrial Corporation is obligated to save harmless the Highway Commission in respect of the amount it -is required to pay defendants as compensation.
It would be difficult to distinguish the present case from any factual situation where a new restaurant, department store, or other private enterprise, reasonably calculated to attract large numbers of employees, suppliers and customers, would seek to make use of the Highway Commission’s power of eminent domain to provide an access road to such establishment.