City of Los Angeles v. Property Owners

The City of Los Angeles (appellant or the City) appeals from a judgment awarding Klopping damages in the form of interest in the amount of $268,500, attorneys fees of $104,000, appraiser’s fees of $20,000 and miscellaneous costs of $9,805 to Property Owners (respondents or Property Owners).

On August 21, 1968, the board of airport commissioners passed a resolution to condemn respondents’ property except for three parcels. The City announced at this time that an intercontinental airport would be opened in Palmdale at the site of respondents’ property. The Los Angeles Council adopted an ordinance of condemnation on February 4, 1969. Subsequently, the board of airport commissioners passed another resolution of condemnation that included the three parcels excepted in the initial resolution.

Eminent domain proceedings were filed on September 1, 1972. Prior to this time respondents had filed their action against the City for damages for inverse condemnation.

By September 1, 1974, the City had served the summons and complaints in eminent domain on the respondents except for the owners of the three properties originally excluded.

All actions were consolidated and on February…