Hakes v. State, 71384

• Decision Date: 10 June 1993
• Docket Number: No. 71384,No. 71348,71384,71348
• Court: New York Court of Appeals Court of Appeals
• Parties: , 615 N.E.2d 982 George J. HAKES, Jr., et al., Appellants, v. STATE of New York, Respondent. (Claim) FIRST BANK & TRUST CO. OF CORNING, as Trustee, et al., Appellants, v. STATE of New York, Respondent. (Claim) Court of Appeals of New York

Page 498

599 N.Y.S.2d 498

81 N.Y.2d 392, 615 N.E.2d 982

George J. HAKES, Jr., et al., Appellants, v. STATE of New York, Respondent.

(Claim No. 71384.) FIRST BANK & TRUST CO. OF CORNING, as Trustee, et al., Appellants, v. STATE of New York, Respondent (Claim No. 71348.) Court of Appeals of New York.

June 10, 1993.

[81 N.Y.2d 393] [615 N.E.2d 983] Levy, Feldman & Licata, P.C., Rochester (David M. Levy, of counsel), for appellants.

[81 N.Y.2d 394] Robert Abrams, Atty. Gen., Albany (Michael S. Buskus, Jerry Boone and Peter H. Schiff, of counsel), for respondent.

OPINION OF THE COURT

KAYE, Chief Judge.

These cases require review of the application of EDPL 701, which in a condemnation action authorizes a discretionary grant of costs, including attorney and expert fees, to a condemnee who is awarded an amount substantially in excess of the condemnor's initial offer.

Hakes v. State of New York

In 1981, the Hakes claimants purchased a 23-acre parcel of land in Steuben County for $14,000. In August 1982 and March 1983, the State appropriated 19.46 acres, for which it offered claimants $13,450. The highest and best use of the property was mining mineral deposits, with some residential potential along road frontage.

Claimants contested the value offered by the State, filing a claim for damages in the amount of $588,000. At trial, the State's appraiser assigned the property a preappropriation value of $17,570. Claimants' appraiser testified that the subject property had a precondemnation value of $359,200 and that claimants had sustained damages of $333,200. The court concluded that the testimony of claimants' appraiser as to market value was not based on comparable properties and thus completely discounted that testimony. However, concluding that the State had nonetheless undervalued the property, the court awarded claimants $43,525.

Claimants subsequently moved pursuant to EDPL 701 for reimbursement of expenses totalling $18,204.50: $5,000 for the appraisal, $1,621.50 for other expenses related to the appraisal, $1,049 for a geologic report, $642 for the trial transcript, $9,750 for attorney fees and $142 for attorney travel expenses. Noting that its power was discretionary, the Court of Claims awarded $2,642 for attorney fees and travel costs, holding the other fees related solely to proof of a "preposterous" value that was of no use to the court in its final determination. The Appellate Division modified to increase the attorney fee award to $5,000, and otherwise affirmed. 184 A.D.2d 1035, 585 N.Y.S.2d 262.

First Bank & Trust Co. v. State of New York

The First Bank claimants owned 857 acres of land, also in Steuben County. The land was divided into five parcels (A, B, C, D and E) with a claimed unity of use and ownership. Proof at trial centered on two of these parcels: Parcel A, which contained a sand and gravel mining and processing plant, a concrete batch plant and mineral deposits to be mined, and Parcel B, which contained 1,800,000 cubic yards of mineral reserves to be mined. In August 1982, the State appropriated Parcel B.

The State initially offered $51,400 for the condemnation of Parcel B; claimants disputed that value and filed a claim for $2,706,865. Their claim had two elements: loss of the direct value of the land--$833,800--and damages stemming from the adverse effects of the condemnation on Parcel A--$1,526,603.

At trial, the State's proposed value was decreased to $11,350, on the theory that Parcel B was landlocked and had a highest and best use only as recreational or agricultural land. Apparently, in 1962, the State had appropriated the right-of-way to Parcel B, leaving it technically inaccessible. However, the appropriation map was never served on the owner of Parcel B or his successors and the right-of-way was not blocked. Claimants took the position that there was access, and reiterated their claim of direct damages of $833,800 and indirect damages to Parcel A of $1,526,603. The Court of Claims decided that claimants did enjoy access to Parcel B but found no indirect or consequential damages to Parcel A, concluding that Parcel A had sufficient mineral reserves of its own. The court therefore valued the land at $151,300.

Claimants thereafter requested reimbursement for $98,299.48 under EDPL 701--$10,701.16 for one appraiser, $31,025 for a second appraiser, $15,634.42 for engineering fees and $39,000 in attorney fees. While noting that none of these fees were unreasonable for the work performed, the court exercised its discretion and made no award. The court based its denial of reimbursement on its conclusion that claimants' fees were expended primarily in an unrealistic attempt to prove consequential damages to a nonappropriated parcel. Since that theory was rejected and had no bearing on the actual damages awarded, the court explained that it would not reimburse the fees. While noting that a fee award could be warranted for claimants' efforts in disputing the lack of access to Parcel B, the court explained it would not make such award in the absence of evidence of fees and costs expended on that point. The Appellate Division again affirmed.

Analysis

Pursuant to EDPL 701:

"In instances where the order or award is substantially in excess of the amount of the condemnor's proof and where deemed necessary by the court for the condemnee to achieve just and adequate compensation, the court, upon application, notice and an opportunity for hearing, may in its discretion, award to the condemnee an additional amount, separately computed and stated, for actual and necessary costs, disbursements and expenses, including reasonable attorney, appraiser and engineer fees, actually...