Witbeck v. Big Rivers Rural Electric Cooperative Corp.

412 S.W.2d 265, 1967 Ky. LEXIS 425
CourtCourt of Appeals of Kentucky (pre-1976)
DecidedMarch 3, 1967
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 412 S.W.2d 265 (Witbeck v. Big Rivers Rural Electric Cooperative Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Kentucky (pre-1976) primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Witbeck v. Big Rivers Rural Electric Cooperative Corp., 412 S.W.2d 265, 1967 Ky. LEXIS 425 (Ky. 1967).

Opinion

MONTGOMERY, Judge.

Big Rivers Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, pursuant to KRS 416.230 et seq., sought to condemn the right of way for an easement for the construction of a 69,000 volt transmission line across the southern edge of the farm of A. V. Wit-beck and his wife. The Witbecks have appealed from a judgment on a verdict for $2,400. Appellants claim that the court erred in various rulings concerning the admissibility of evidence; that there was a variation in the description of the property condemned; that the appellee should be liable for exemplary damages; and that the verdict was outside the range of the testimony.

Appellants were the owners of a 365-acre .farm. The easement sought was 100 feet in width and extended 2,053 or 2,058 feet over the extreme south end, or rear, of the farm. The center line of the easement varied from 206 to 232 feet from the south boundary line of the farm. Four single poles with three live lines and one dead line were to be placed on the easement. The right of way embraced 4.7 acres. The west third of the easement crossed an area which included about 1⅛ acres of timber. The remainder of the easement was over cleared land.

Appellants sought to introduce testimony to show that the fear of danger from a 69,000 volt line lessened the value of their property. In Gulledge v. Texas Gas Transmission Corporation, Ky., 256 S.W.2d 349, it was held that for such purpose the following should be established in sequence: (1) The basis in reason and experience for fear; (2) a satisfactory showing that the fear entered into the calculations of a substantial number of persons who deal in the buying or selling of similar property; and (3) the depression of market value by reason of the existence of such fear.

*268 There is no merit in this contention because the testimony sought to be introduced did not conform to the requirements of the Gulledge case; no ruling was obtained by the court on part of the testimony, Commonwealth, Department of Highways v. Taylor County Bank, Ky., 394 S.W.2d 581; and answers to all factual questions asked on the point were read to the jury from a pretrial deposition of the same witness. Appellants obtained a favorable response concerning the dangerousness of a 69,000 volt line; hence, they were not prejudiced. They made no effort to establish step three required by the Gulledge case.

It is also contended that they should have been permitted to prove the market value of a so-called “five acre grove, a part of the Witbeck farm.” No avowal was taken to show the answer to the question. The claimed error is not available on appeal. Pearce v. Rawlings, Ky., 373 S.W.2d 426. In any event it was indirectly an effort to prove a price tag. Commonwealth, Department of Highways v. Sherrod, Ky., 367 S.W.2d 844. In Commonwealth, Department of Highways v. Gardner, Ky., 388 S.W.2d 360, the point was decided thus:

“Neither the minerals or timber should be valued separately. Com., Dept. of Highways v. Cardinal Hill Nursery, Ky., 380 S.W.2d 249; Gulf Interstate Gas Co. v. Garvin, Ky., 368 S.W.2d 309.”

The cases cited are inapplicable.

Appellants’ objection to a question asked on direct examination by counsel for appellee was sustained. The gist of the question was whether the construction of a power line made any difference in the before and after market values of a farm. Appellants’ counsel then examined the witness on cross-examination on the same point. He then moved to exclude the answers but obtained no' ruling by the court. He now complains that “Mere offers as to comparable property are not admissible.” The proffered testimony was not to show a comparable sale but to show that construction of a power line was not a damaging factor. For this reason, and because he waived any objection by failure to insist on a ruling, there is no merit in such contention.

Appellants complain that Witbeck was prevented from testifying concerning the suitability of the five-acre portion of the farm, part of which was taken, for use as a “black walnut grove.” Four other witnesses for the landowners were permitted to testify to the suitability of the five acres for a black walnut grove. The testimony of Witbeck would have been cumulative. There was no prejudicial error in the denial of its admission. Cody v. Nortof, Ky., 267 S.W.2d 403.

Complaint is made that appellants were not permitted to show evidence of productivity of the walnut grove. Appellants offered to show that the grove would produce in perpetuity four trees per year worth $125 each. There was no evidence to show any reasonable probability that timber would be marketed from the land within the immediate future. There was no error in the rejection of the testimony. Robinette v. Commonwealth, Department of Highways, Ky., 380 S.W.2d 78, and cases cited therein. Commonwealth, Department of Highways v. Eubank, Ky., 369 S.W.2d 15, cited by appellants, supports this view.

Two witnesses for the landowners were asked whether a grove of timber on the five acres would enhance or lessen the value of the land. Witness Durham, by avowal, said it would lessen the value; therefore, this answer would not have helped appellants had it been admitted. Witness Baker was permitted to state that removal of the timber would decrease the value of the farm; therefore, appellants cannot complain. His testimony was admitted.

*269 Appellants complain that they were not permitted to show the qualifications of witness Lively concerning his knowledge of the price of black walnut timber growing on the ground. An examination of the lengthy harangue and avowal on this point shows that the court properly refused to permit such evidence to be admitted as being an effort to “price tag” the walnut timber. Commonwealth, Department of Highways v. Gardner, Ky., 388 S.W.2d 360.

Appellee was permitted, by amendment in circuit court, to correct the description of the easement condemned. The easement was actually occupied as originally staked, and its location on the ground was never changed. It was the same location viewed by the county court commissioners and used as the basis for their appraisal. Inaccuracies in the description were corrected to conform to the staked survey on the ground. Appellants argue that they were denied the opportunity to negotiate on the basis of the new description or to raise this issue by pleading.

This argument is meritless in view of appellants’ refusal to accept letters or telephone calls at their home near Detroit, Michigan, and their refusal to accept or discuss offers of settlement.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
412 S.W.2d 265, 1967 Ky. LEXIS 425, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/witbeck-v-big-rivers-rural-electric-cooperative-corp-kyctapphigh-1967.