Homeowner offers settlement in airport eminent domain case
“Although the airport runway was moved 500 feet further away from the houses, federal regulations required a larger object-free safety zone that included space above the houses. The homeowners’ attorney argued to the juries that the larger safety zone easements destroyed the value of the houses.
A recent state law requires governments to pay 25 percent more than the determined value of property taken by eminent domain. A jury decision in June resulted in an order the airport pay $587,500 for one house. A trial in October over a second house resulted in a $737,500 award. The county must also pay all the property owners attorney fees and expenses in the case.
County administrator Martin Marshall said the settlement offer for the third house will remain confidential while negotiations continue.”
Pelham, Dennis. The Daily Telegram 12 December 2012.