Gisler

In this action in inverse condemnation the several appellants 1 seek to recover damages from the County of Madera (hereinafter “County”) by reason of the operation of an ordinance zoning their agricultural lands “ARV-20”; 2 the zoning ordinance effectively prevents the appellants, and each of them, from using or selling two-and-one-half-acre residential lots delineated on a subdivision map recorded in 1913.

The appellants are owners of land in Madera County east of Highway 99 on the San Joaquin Valley floor. All of the property is devoted exclusively to agricultural use, as are the surrounding areas, and none of the parcels owned by the individual appellants is less than 18 acres in area.

All of the property involved is located within the perimeter of a “paper” subdivision denoted Sharon Farms Subdivision 3, which was duly recorded on September II, 1913 (corrected Oct. 3, 1913). The map delineates two-and-one-half-acre parcels for residential purposes. Notwithstanding the recordation of the map, the lands have continued to be devoted exclusively to agricultural uses. No residential buildings are constructed thereon, none of the streets has been developed, and no money…