Real Estate & Property Law

Grade Change Upsets Owner

By Alan Ackerman

The Oakport, Minnesota article from WDAY AM 970 describes what is always a concern to owners when there is flood avoidance infrastructure changes. Lifting the grade of the road may increase flooding for the individual homeowner, and may make access much more difficult for the property.

While these activities frequently result in just compensation, the pain in the process is substantial.

WDAY

"You see this picture; it is right up to the deck."

Steve Nelson never gave much though to what his front yard might be worth until he got a letter from an attorney saying he would get $1,600 for this chunk of turf now that Oakport township plans to widen and raise Broadway which runs by his house.

While Nelson understands the need for flood protection, he doesn't know why the township doesn't use the west side of the road for this since they own the property anyway.

GREG ANDERSONOAKPORT TOWNSHIP OFFICIAL: "We looked at that, but soil stabilization, if we put it on the west side it will slide into the river and why do something that will fail?"

Full post as published by National Eminent Domain Blog on November 17, 2010 (boomark / email).