# Petition for Writ of Certiorari — Fitzgarrald v. City of Iowa City

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## Record

- **Collection:** Supreme Court brief
- **Document type:** Petition for Writ of Certiorari
- **Published:** January 1, 1993
- **Citation:** 508 U.S. 911

## Text

92-15 45 | Biers wz)

No.

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QAFICE OF THE CLERK |
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IN THE }
Supreme Cot of the Trited States

OCTOBER TERM, 1992

DEAN A. FITZGARRALD and PHYLLIS FITZGARRALD,
Petitioners,
¥

THE CITY OF IOWA City, IOWA, and
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA,
Respondents.

Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the
Supreme Court of Iowa

PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI

WILLIAM L. MEARDON
Counsel of Record

MEARDON, SUEPPEL, DOWNER
& HAYES P.L.C.

122 South Linn Street

Iowa City, Iowa 52240

(319) 338-9222

WILSON - Ergs PRINTING Co.. INC. - 789-0096 - WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001

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QUESTIONS PRESENTED

Whether Petitioner generated a fact question con-
cerning her claim that flights directly on her property
constitute a taking which requires just compensation
under the fifth and fourteenth amendments to the
the United States Constitution.

Whether Petitioner’s Application for Limited Remand,
concerning a possible prohibition against penetration
of approach slopes, should have been granted to permit
Petitioner to develop evidence on her claim that the
Airport zoning ordinance constitutes a regulatory tak-
ing which requires just compensation under the fifth
and fourteenth amendments to the United States
Constitution.

(i)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Page
Fitzgarrald v. City of lowa City, No. 141 90-1845,

slip op. (Iowa Nov. 25, 1992) 12, 14, 16, 17
Fitzgarrald v. City of Iowa City, No. 141/90-1845.

slip. op. (lowa June 17, 1992) 10, 11
Fitzgarrald v. C ty of Lowa City, No. 1-436/90-1845
slip op. (lowa Ct. App. Dec. 31, 1991) 9,14, 15

Fitzgarrald v. City of lowa City, No. 50400, siip op.
(Iowa Dist. Ct. Nov. 1, 1990)

~]
00

Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal ( OUMEU, mnie TJS,
—., 112 S.Ct. 2886 (1992) 14, 15, 16

Nolan v. California Coastal Commiss On, 183 U.S.

825 (1987) 16
Pe nn Ce nt. Transp. #3 os City of Ne ww York, 438

U.S. 104 (1976) 13

United States v. Causby, 320 U.S. 756 (1940) 14
Williamson Planni lq Comm'n v. Ha milton Banks.
173 U.S. 172 (1985) 9

ihé o: Re gqulatio; a and Ord nances:

U.S. CONST. amend. V 2
U.S. CONST. amend. XXIV .
14 C.F.R. Part 77 (1989) 1
lowA CITY, MUNICIPAL CopE Article V. Section

1(d) (3) (1984) 15.6
lowA CITY, MUNICIPAL CopE Article V. Section

1-75(d)(3) (1990) 1, 5, 6

IN THE
Supreme Court of the United States

OC: OBER TERM, 1992

No.

DEAN A. FITZGARRALD and PHYLLIS FITZGARRALD,
: Petitioners,
THE City oF IOWA City, IowA, and
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA,
Respondents.

Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the
Supreme Court of Iowa

PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI

OPINIONS BELOW

The lowa Supreme Court issued its final opinion in
this case on November 25, 1992, a copy of which appears
in the Appendix to this Petition at page la. The Novem-
ber 25, 1992, opinion has not yet been reported.

The lowa Supreme Court issued its first opinion in
this case on June 17, 1992, a copy of which appears in
the Appendix to this Petition at page 59a. The June 17,
1992, opinion has not been reported.

The Iowa Court of Appeals issued its opinion in this
case on December 31, 1991, a copy of which appears in
the Appendix to this Petition at page 49a. The December
31, 1991, opinion has not been reported.

The Iowa District Court issued its opinion in this case
on November 1, 1990, a copy of which appears in the

2

Appendix to this Petition at page 42a. The November 1,
1990, opinion has not been reported.

JURISDICTION

The judgment of the Iowa Supreme Court was entered
on November 25, 1992. A timely Petition for Rehearing
was filed, and the Iowa Supreme Court denied the Peti-
tion for Rehearing on December 23, 1992. The jurisdic-
tion of this Court is invoked under 28 U.S.C. § 1257 (a).

CONSTITUTIONS AND STATUTES INVOLVED

This case involves the fifth and fourteenth amendments
to the United States Constitution which respectively
provide:

fifth amendment

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment
or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases aris-
ing in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia when
in actual service in time of War or public danger ;
nor shall any person be subject for the same offence
to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself nor deprived of life, liberty, or prop-
erty, witnout due process of law; nor shall private
property be taken for public use without just com-
pensation.

fourteenth amendment

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
are citizens of the United States and of the State
Wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce
any law which shall abridge the privileges or immu-
nities of the citizens of the United States; nor shall
any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or prop-
erty without due process of law; nor deny to any per-
son within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
laws.

‘

Section 2. Representatives shall be apportioned
amony the several Stutes according to their respec-
tive numbers, counting the whole number of persons
in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when
the right to vote at any election for the choice of elec-
tors for President and Vice President of the United
States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive ‘
and Judicial Officers of a State, or the meinbers of
the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male
inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of
age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way
abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or
other crime, the basis of representation therein shall
be reduced in the proportion to which the number of
such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of
mule citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

Section 3. No person shall be a Senator or Repre-
sentative in Congress, or elector of President and
Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military,
under the United States, or under any State, who,
having previously taken an oath, as a member of
Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as
a member of any State Legislature or as an execu-
tive or judicial officer of any State, to support the
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged
in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given
aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress
may by au vote of two-thirds of each House, remove
such disability.

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the
United States, authorized by law, including debts in-
curred for payment of pensions and bounties for
service in suppressing insurrection and_ rebellion,
shall not be questioned. But neither the United
- States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt
oy obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or re-
bellion against the United States, or any claim for

the loss of emancipation of any slave; but all such
debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and
void.

EE EE

4

Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce,
by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this
Article.
This case also involves the following regulations and
municipal zoning ordinances:

14 C.F.R. Part 77 (1989), a copy of which is at-
tached to the Appendix to this Petition at page 7 16a.

IOWA CITY, IOWA, MUNICIPAL CODE, sections
84-3211, 90-3446, copies of which are attached to
the Appendix of this Petition at page 74a.

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

Petitioners (hereinafter “Fitzgarrald”) own approxi-
mately ten (10) acres of land adjacent to the Iowa City
Municipal Airport. Fitzgarrald purchased her land in
the 1940’s and built a house thereon. When Fitzgarrald
purchased the property, the Iowa City airport was oper-
ating at its current location. Fitzgarrald also owns and
operates a mobile home park on the property. The mobile
home park has been a non-conforming use since respond-
ent Johnson County (“the County”) zoned Fitzgarrald’s
land residential in 1960. Fitzgarrald’s property is located
near the end of one of the airport’s runways (runway
6-24).

In November 1984 respondent City of Iowa City (“the
City”) decided to expand airport operations and extend
runway 6-24. To help facilitate airport expansion, the
City and the County in 1984 jointly adopted a zoning
ordinance which enacted height and use restrictions on
property surrounding the airport. The ordinance pre-
vented structures from penetrating an “Approach Overlay
Zone,” which is a plane beginning 200 feet from the end

of the runway and extending skyward at a slope of thirty-
four horizontal feet (one vertical foot (34.1 slope) ).
With the initially proposed 1060-foot extension of runway
6-24, the appropriate “approach slope” penetrated Fitz-

5

garrald’s home and some of their ground. Structures
which already penetrated the approach slope or otherwise
failed to conform to the ordinance were permitted to re-
main unaltered as nonconforming uses.

In August, 1986 the City initiated condemnation pro-
ceedings to acquire 1.18 acres of Fitzgarrald’s property
for the runway extension. The award in that proceeding
is a separate matter on appeal. Fitzgarrald did, however,
initiate a mandamus action to force the City to acquire
an avigation easement over her property. In October,
1987 the City initiated such an action, but the action was
voided by the District Court because the City could not
identify what it purported to condemn. No further ac-
tion has been taken by the City to acquire an avigation
easement over Fitzgarrald’s land. ;

To date runway 6-24 has been extended 335 feet in-
stead of the initially-proposed 1000 feet, and the 1984
joint City-County ordinance was amended accordingly.
Under the amended ordinance, Fitzgarrald’s house still
penetrates 6.9 feet into the approach slope. Fitzgarrald’s
use of her property remains unchanged as a nonconform-
ing use. The ordinance, even as amended, places the ma-
jority of Fitzgarrald’s property in a “clear overlay zone.”
Along with height restrictions, the “clear zone” has the
following use restrictions:

Use limitations. No use shall be permitted in the
OCL zone in which there is connected therewith a
building which according to the 1982 edition of Uni-
form Building Code, has an occupancy rating of 50
square feet of floor area per person or less. In ad-
dition, the following uses shall net be permitted:

(a) Campgrounds

(b) Fairgrounds

(c) Hospitals and institutions

(d) Motels and hotels

(e) Nursing and custodial home

(fi Residential uses

(g) Restaurants and similar eating and drinking
establishments

(h) Sanitary landfills

(1) Schools, including nurseries, pre-kindergartens
and kindergartens

(j! Stadiums
(k) Storage of fuel or other hazardous materials
(1) Theaters

lowa City, Iowa, MUNICIPAL CopE Article V, Section
4-75(d) (3) (1990) (app. p. 105a).

Although exceptions and variances from the use limita-
tions are allegedly permitted, while the case was on ap-
peal, Fitzgarrald obtained a letter from the Federal Avia-
tion Administration (“FAA”) concerning its position on
development which penetrates the approach slope. Fitz-
garrald filed an Application for Limited Remand based
on the FAA letter, and this will be discussed later.

Fitzgarrald, on December 15, 1986, initiated this man-
damus suit to force the City to institute condemnation
proceedings concerning the land. F itzgarrald amended
the petition on April 1, 1988 to allege that a taking, in
violation of the fifth amendment to the United States
Constitution and Article I, Section 18 of the lowa Consti-
tution, had occurred by virtue of the imposition of the
ordinance extension of runway 6-24 (regulatory taking)
and use of the airport (physical invasion.) (Plaintiff's
Amended Petition of 4/1/88 (app. at 13a) ).

Trial was held by the district court on August 7 and
&, 1990. Fitzgarrald presented evidence concerning the
effect of airplanes flying directly over the property and
the diminished value of her property due to the enact-
ment of the ordinance.

Fitzgarrald testified that subsequent to the extension
of runway 6-24, the noise from the air traffic increased

7

and mobile home park tenants therefore left. Fitzgarrald
related one incident where a large freight plane landing
flew so low that the pilot could be seen from beneath the
awning of a second-floor window of her home. Fitz-
garrald also testified about how her house occasionally
shook and vibrated when aircraft landed on runway 6-24.

Bob Michelson, an engineer, testified concerning the
economic impact of the City-County ordinance. Michel-
son indicated that the ordinance had a substantial adverse
impact on the value of Fitzgarrald’s land. Michelson did
not relate an exact dollar figure concerning the impact
of the ordinance.

The City and County presented evidence concerning the
use of runway 6-24. Various pilots testified that they
used the runway less and ignored recommended flight pat-
terns which would go directly over Fitzgarrald’s prop-
erty. The pilot’s agreed, however, that after the runway
was extended, landing airplanes would fly closer to the
Fitzgarrald property.

The City and County also argued that Fitzgarrald’s
claim was premature since variances and exceptions to
use and height restrictions could be obtained, and Fitz-
garrald had presented no development plan. Therefore,
according to the City and County, Fitzgarrald’s claim
was not ripe for determination. The evidence shows that
portions of the ground on the Fitzgarrald property pene-
trate the approach slope mentioned earlier. On other
portions of Fitzgarrald’s land there exists between 8 and
30 feet of space before penetration of the approach slope.

The court entered its ruling on November 1, 1990, de-
nied Fitzgarrald a Writ of Mandamus and held that no
“taking” occurred. Concerning Fitzgarrald’s physical
invasion taking claim, the court found that the traffic over
the Fitzgarrald property did not increase due to the ex-
tension of the runway. Fitzgarrald v. City of Iowa City,
No. 50400, slip op. at 9-10 (Dist. Ct. Iowa. Nov. 1, 1990)

8

(app. at 42a). The court noted that the prevailing winds
in Johnson County were from the northwest, and runway
6-24 is not used under such conditions. Jd. at 6. The
court did not mention Fitzgarrald’s testimony concerning
tenants, the shaking of her house, or seeing a pilot from
her home.

The court also held that no regulatory taking occurred.
The court based its decision on seven reasons:

(1) The use Fitzgarrald made of the property both
before and after the enactment of the ordinance
is the same.

(2) The airport was in existence when Fitzgarrald
purchased the property.

(3) Fitzgarrald has not contemplated a change in
the use of the property.

(4) The FAA controls the uses to which the property
may be put.

(>) The City and the County merely conformed to
FAA regulations and the airport ordinance is
no more restrictive than federal regulations.

(6) Variances and exceptions to the federal and mu-
nicipality restrictions are possible.

(7) There has been no greater imposition on the
Fitzgarrald property by the 355 foot extension
of the runway.

Id, at 10. Based on the above, the court denied the relief
requested by Fitzgarrald.

Fitzgarrald filed a timely Notice of Appeal on Novem-
ber 30, 1990. Fitzgarrald appealed the district court’s
holding that no taking had occurred in violation of Fitz-
garrald’s fifth and fourteenth amendment right to just
compensation. The Iowa Supreme Court transferred the
case to the Iowa Court of Appeals. The court of appeals
entered its decision on December 31, 1991 and denied re-
lief to Fitzgarrald, although on grounds different from
those cited by the district court.

9

On de novo review, the court of appeals found that the
airport ordinance constituted a taking. Fitzgarrald v.
City of Iowa City, No. 1-486/90-1845, slip op. at 9 (Iowa
Ct. App. Dec. 31, 1991) (app. p. 49a). The court based
its decision on two grounds. First, the court noted that
“extensive and repeated low flying caused annoyance to
the plaintiffs.” Jd. at 8. Obviously the court believed a
physical invasion of plaintiff's property had occurred.
Second, the court noted that the land was in uw prime loca-
tion for development, and such development would be
substantially curtailed by the height restriction. Jd. The
court stated that “{t]he regulation is so enerous that it
has the same effect as an appropriation of the property
through eminent domain or physical possession. Jd. at 9
(citing Williamson Planning Comm’n v. Hamilton Bank,
173 U.S. 172, 186 (1985)). The court held, however,
that Fitzgarrald was not entitled to a Writ of Mandamus.
Id, 9-10, The reason given by the court was that Fitz-
garrald continued to use the property as before and had
not applied for a variance; the matter therefore, accord-
ing to the court was not ripe for determination. /d.
litzgarrald timely applied for further review to the Iowa
Supreme Court on the failure of the court of appeals to
issue a Writ of Mandamus despite finding a taking, and
the City and County timely cross-appealed on the court of
appeal’s holding that the ordinance and physical invasion
of Fitzgarrald’s property constituted a taking. By order
dated February 28, 1992, the Iowa Supreme Court granted
both Fitzgarrald’s and the City/County’s Applications for
Further Review. Fitzgarrald v. City of Iowa City, No.
90-1845 (Iowa Feb. 28, 1992) (order granting applica-
tion for further review) (app. at 57a). Argument be-
fore the Iowa Supreme Court was set for April 6, 1992.
Id.

On March 31, 1992 Fitzgarrald filed an Application for
Limited Remand with the Iowa Supreme Court. The Ap-
plication was filed after Fitzgarrald’s counsel received a
letter on March 24, 1992 from FAA officials concerning

10

its (FAA) position on proposed structures which would
penetrate the 34.1 approach slope. A copy of the Applica-
tion For Limited Remand is attached to the appendix at
page 147a. Fitzgarrald contended that the letter estab-
lished an FAA policy prohibiting any penetration of the
34.1 approach slope. Fitzgarrald asserted that the let-
ter showed that the FAA would not approve any pro-
posed development which penetrated the 34.1 approach
slope, and therefore the various and special exception
portions of the City/County ordinance were meaningless.
By order dated April 3, 1992, the Iowa Supreme Court
agreed to hear argument on the Application for Limited
Remand with the argument on appeal. Fitzgarrald v.
City of lowa City, No. 90-1845 (Iowa April 3, 1992)
(order allowing oral argument) (app. at 58a).

The Iowa Supreme Court entered its first of two rul-
ings on June 17, 1992. The court vacated the Court of
Appeals decision and affirmed the district court. Fitz-
garrald v. Iowa City, No. 141 90-1845, slip op. at 15
‘lowa June 17, 1992 (app. p. 99a). The court held
that no regulatory taking occurred by virtue of the enact-
ment of the ordinance because most of the uses proscribed
by the ordinance had been proscribed by previous zoning
ordinances and FAA regulations. Jd. at 8-11. The court
noted that Fitzgarrald made the same use of her prop-
erty before and after the enactment of the ordinance. The
court also found significance in the fact that the under-
lying county ordinance classified Fitzgarrald’s property
as residential, and according to the court. Fitzgarrald
could not show a reasonable probability of getting the
property rezoned. Jd. Accordingly, the court found that
Fitzgarrald’s investment-backed expectation for the use
of the land had not been frustrated, concluded that no
regulatory taking occurred and affirmed the district court
on this issue. Jd.

The court next considered the physical invasion claim.
The court noted that a mandamus court need only deter-
mine whether a factual issue exists that would permit
a compensation commission or court on appeal to find an

11

intrusion that produced a measurable decrease in the
property’s market value. Jd. at 11-15. The court also
noted that, if any injury to market value is shown, there
is no de minimus rule. Jd. The court then held that Fitz-
garrald’s evidence on the physical invasion claim was in-
sufficient to generate a fact question about whether the
overflying aircraft produced a measurable decrease in
property value. /d.

The court noted that the record contained no evidence
of either the frequency or altitudes of planes flying over
Fitzgarrald’s land. Jd. The court then stated that the
City and County presented evidence that planes were
taking off and landing with the same frequency or alti-
tude before and after the runway extension. /d. The
court did note the testimony of two pilots who indicated
that planes fly lower over Fitzgarrald’s property due to
the runway extension. /d.

The court also held that Fitzgarrald’s testimony was
not sufficient to generate a fact question about a decrease
in value due to low-flying aircraft. Jd. Although Fitz-
garrald testified that tenants left her mobile home park
after the runway was extended, the court pointed to the
fact that Fitzgarrald had no personal knowledge as to
the reason why. Jd. The court also stated that Fitz-
garrald’s loss-of-value evidence was directed only at the
regulatory taking claim and that no witness testified that
overflying aircraft adversely affected the market value of
Fitzgarrald’s property. Jd. at 15. The court concluded
that no physical invasion occurred and affirmed the dis-
trict court on this issue. Jd. The court did not address
Fitzgarrald’s Application for Limited Remand in its
June 17, 1992 ruling.

On or about June 30, 1992 Fitzgarrald filed a timely
Petition for Rehearing in the Iowa Supreme Court. Fitz-
garrald claimed that the court failed to address the pend-
ing Application for Limited Remand concerning the FAA
letter about development which would penetrate the 34.1

12

approach slope. Fitzgarrald pointed out that, due to the
height restrictions associated with the 34.1 appreach
slope and a possible FAA policy against any penetration
thereof, the court should remand the case to permit the
presentation of evidence about the letter from the FAA
attached to the Application for Limited Remand. Fitz-
garrald pointed out that if the letter means what it says
(that the FAA would not permit penetration into the 34.1
approach slope), Fizgarrald could not develop her prop-
erty even in conformance with the pre-existing County
zoning ordinance (which zoned the Fitzgarrald property
residential), and therefore a regulatory taking oceurred.
Fitzgarrald also pointed out that residential development
is prohibited in the clear zone. By order dated July 17,
1992, the Iowa Supreme Court required the City and
County to respond to the Petition for Rehearing. On
October 2, 1992 the Iowa Supreme Court granted Fitz-
garrald’s Petition for Rehearing on all issues submitted
to the court of appeals and withdrew its prior opinion
dated June 17, 1992. Fitzgarrald v. City of Iowa City,
No. 90-1845 (Iowa Oct. 2, 1992) (order granting peti-
tion for rehearing) (app. at 71a).

The Iowa Supreme Court issued its final opinion on
November 25, 1992, again affirming the district court and
vacating the decision of the court of appeals. Fitzgarrald
v. City of Iowa City, No. 141/90-1845. slip op. at 16
(Iowa Nov. 25, 1992) (app. p. la). The court again
stated that Fitzgarrald failed to generate a fact question
concerning the physical invasion claim and held that the
court of appeals erred in concluding to the contrary. Zd.
at 12. Concerning the regulatory taking claim, the
court, as in its previous opinion, noted that the use of the
property had not changed, and the diminution of market
value by virtue of the ordinance was insufficient to sup-
port a finding that a regulatory taking occurred. Jd. at
12-16. Again, the court did not address Fitzgarrald’s
Application for Limited Remand.

13

On or about December 9, 1992 Fitzgarrald filed a sec-
ond Petition for Rehearing based on the court’s failure
te address the Application for Limited Remand. The
court denied Fitzearrald’s Petition by order dated De-
cember 23, 1992 (app. at 73a).

REASONS FOR GRANTING THE WRIT

This case involves Fitzgarrald’s right to just compen-
sation arising by virtue of the imposition of an airport
ordinance, the extension of an airport runway and the
use associated therewith. As previously stated and con-
cerning Fitzgarrald’s physical invasion claim, the Iowa
Supreme Court held that Fitzgarrald failed to generate a
fact question about whether the flights directly over her
property could rise to the leve of a taking. The court also
denied Fitzgarrald’s Application for Limited Remand to
develop evidence concerning whether the FAA would un-
der any circumstances permit penetration of the desig-
nated approach slope. In making these determinations,
the Iowa Supreme Court interpreted federal law in a
manner inconsistent with prior decsions of this Court.
Since the City and the County are currently debating
further expansion of the airport in question, and numer-
ous property owners in Iowa City and Johnson County,
Iowa will be affected, this Court should grant certiorari
to provide guidance as to the threshold of what consti-
tutes a physical invasion from overhead flights. This
Court should also grant certiorari to permit Fitzgarrald
to determine the FAA’s position concerning penetration
of the designated approach slope. If the Court does so,
the rights of property owners around the airport will be
more clearly defined and recognized.

PHYSICAL INVASION

This Court has long held that a physical invasion by
governmental authorities is a taking. F.g., Penn. Cent.
Transp. Co. v. City of New York, 438 U.S. 104, 124
(1978). This Court has also recognized that the noise

| OO er

14

and vibration associated with overfiying aircraft may
amount to a physical invasion. E.g., United States v.
Causby, 320 U.S. 256, 261 (1946). When a physical
invasion is shown, “no matter how small the intrusion,
and no matter how weighty the public purpose behind it,
we have required compensation.” Lucas v. South Caro-
lina Coastal Council, ——— US. » 212 S.Ct.
2886, 2893 (1992). If a physical invasion is demon-
strated, there is no de minimus rule. Jd. By holding that
Fitzgarrald failed to generate a fact question on the
physical invasion claim, the Iowa Supreme Court held
contrary to the above-cited precedent.

As previously stated, Fitzgarrald testified that subse-
quent to the extension of the runway, the noise from the
air traffic increased and mobile home park tenants left.
Fitzgarrald testified that her house occasionally shook
when aircraft landed on the runway. Although the City
and County presented evidence that planes were taking
off and landing with the same frequency and altitude
before and after the runway extension, two pilots indi-
cated that, due to the extension of the runway, aircraft
passed over Fitzgarrald’s land at lower attitudes. The
result from lower overhead flights is obvious (increased
noise and vibration).

Despite the above testimony, the Iowa Supreme Court
held that Fitzearrald failed to generate a fact question
on her physical invasion claim. Most significant to the
Court, apparently, was Fitzgarrald’s failure to have a
witness testify that overflying aircraft adversely affected
the market value of her property. See Fitzgarrald v. City
of Iowa City, No. 141/90-1845, slip op. at 12 (Iowa
Nov. 25, 1992) (app. at la). The court also noted
that Fitzgarrald did not fix the frequency or regularity
of overhead flights and could not Say with certainty why
tenants left after the runway was extended. Jd. Paren-
thetically, Fitzgarrald notes that the evidence apparently
was sufficient to convince the Iowa Court of Appeals to
hold that a physical invasion occurred. Fitzgarrald vy.

15

City of Iowa City, No. 1-436,/90-1845, slip op. at 9 (Iowa
Ct. App. Dee. 31, 1991) (app. at 49a).

Under the takings jurisprudence from this Court,
Fitzgarrald did generate a fact question. As the lowa
Supreme Court noted, Fitzgarrald was not required to
try her takings case before the mandamus court. Fitz-
garrald’s testimony concerning overhead flights establishes
a physical invasion. The frequency and regularity thereof
are matters to be heard in a condemnation proceeding
and not the mandamus court. And while no witness
testified that direct overhead flights caused a decrease in
market value of Fitzgarrald’s property, it stretches real-
ity to argue that overhead flights could have any other
effect. Most importantly, however, if a physical invasion
is shown, there is no de minimus rule. Lucas, USS.
—-, 112 S.Ct. at 2893. Accordingly, since Fitzgarrald’s
testimony showed that overhead flights affected her prop-
erty, the Iowa Supreme Court should have held that she
generated a fact question about a physical invasion and
granted her a writ of mandamus to determine the extent
of the taking. The reasons the lowa Supreme Court used
to hold that Fitzgarrald failed to generate a fact ques-
tion should not have been considered in the mandamus
action but rather in a subsequent condemnation pro-
ceeding.

APPLICATION FOR LIMITED REMAND

Fitzgarrald filed an Application for Limited Remand
(app. p. 147a) prior to the April 6, 1992 argument before
the Iowa Supreme Court. Fitzgarrald argued that new
evidence, discovered after the Iowa Court of Appeals de-
cision, existed concerning the FAA’s position on permit-
ting development which would penetrate the designated
approach slope. Based on the new evidence, Fitzgarrald
contends that the FAA will not permit new residential
development permitted by existing county zoning which
penetrates the approach slope; if true, this evidence would
nullify the City and County’s argument that Fitzgarrald’s

, EEE ee

16

suit was premature, since Mitzgarrald would not be able
to obtain a variance or special exception and penetrate
the approach slope with potential development. The Iowa
Supreme Court should have addressed Fitzgarrald’s Ap-
plication, and Fitzgarrald asks this Court to direct. the
lowa Supreme Court to do so.

This Court recognizes that. where regulation deprives
all economically beneficial or productive use of land, a
taking occurs, Lucas, ——~ U.S, - —, 112 8S. Ct. at 2893:
Nollan »v. California Coastal Commission, 4823 1.S. 825,
834 (1987). The Iown Supreme Court found it signifi-
cant that Fitzgerrald still used her land in the same
way before and after the imposition of the airport ordi-
nance. Mitzgarrald v. City of Lowa City, No. 14190-1845.
slip op. at 14 (app. at la). While Fitzgerrald certainly
still operates a mobile home park (the mobile home park
is 6.35 aeres) as a nonconforming use, the remaining 2.46
acres (iitzgarrald’s land is a 8.82 acre tract after con-
demnation of the 1.18 acres mentioned earlier) have no
economic value if the FAA will not permit penetration
of the approach slope. The evidence shows that the gap
between Fitzgarrald’s land and the approach slope ranges
from & to 30 feet. Given the lack of space between the
ground and the approach slope, any proposed develop-
ment by Fitzgarrald would penetrate the approach slope.
In other words, if the FAA will not permit penetration
of the approach slope as Fitzgarrald contends is shown by
the letter attached to her Application, Fitzgarrald can-
not develop her land in aecordance with the underlying
residential zoning classification. The FAA’s policy (ae-
cording to its letter) eliminates the ‘ariance and special
exception sections of the ordinance since the FAA will
deny any variance or special exception which penetrates
the approach slope. The ordinance, coupled with what
Fitzgarrald contends to be FAA stated policy, deprives
Fitzgarrald the economic use of approximately 2.46
acres of her land. The Iowa Supreme Court should have
granted Fitzgarrald’s Application for Limited Remand

17

to permit Fitzgarrald to determine FAA policy about
penetration of the approach slope. Fitzgarrald asks this
court to grant certiroari and direct the lowa Supreme
Court to do so.

CONCLUSION

Petitioner prays that a Writ of Certiorari issue from
this honorable Court to review the judgment of the Iowa
supreme Court in Fitzgarrald v. City of Lowa City, No.
141/90-1845, slip op. (Iowa Nov. 25, 1992) (app. at
la). In the event that the Petition is granted, peti-
tioner prays that the judgment of the court below be
reversed, that the cause be remanded, and that the court
below be directed to issue the Writ of Mandamus as
prayed for in the petition.

Respectfully submitted,

WILLIAM L. MEARDON
Counsel of Record

MEARDON, SUEPPEL, DOWNER
& HAYES P.L.C.

122 South Linn Street

lowa City, lowa 52240

(319) 338-9222

APPENDIX

la
APPENDIX

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF IOWA

No. 141/90-1845

Filed November 25, 1992

; DEAN A. FITZGARRALD and PHYLLIS FITZGERRALD,
- Appellants,
De

THE CITy OF IOWA City, IowA, and
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA,
Appellees.
On review from the Iowa Court of Appeals

Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Johnson
County, L. Vern Robinson, Judge.

Landowners adjacent to municipal airport appeal from
adverse judgment in mandamus action to compel con-
demnation. The court of appeals reversed. DECISION
OF COURT OF APPEALS VACATED; DISTRICT
COURT JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.

William L. Meardon of Meardon, Sueppel, Downer &
Hayes, Iowa City, for appellants.

David E. Brown of Hayek, Hayek, Holland & Brown,
Iowa City, for appellee City of Iowa City.

J. Patrick White, County Attorney, and Karen Loren-
zen, Legal Intern, for appellee Johnson County.

Considered en bance.

Za
CARTER, J.

Plaintiffs, Dean Fitzgarrald and Phyllis Fitzgarrald,
who are landowners adjacent to the lowa City Municipai
Airport, appeal from adverse judgment in mandamus
action to compel condemnation. The court of appeals con-
cluded that a taking had occurred but that plaintiffs had
not shown exhaustion of administrative remedies or the
requisite “finality of taking” under the “variance” pro-
visions of the ordinance. We granted further review of
the court of appeals decision.

On June 17, 1992, this court filed an opinion deciding
the issues on appeal. A petition for rehearing filed by
plaintiffs was subsequently granted, and that opinion,
which was never published, was withdrawn. After re-
viewing the record and hearing the arguments as origi-
nally presented and upon the petition for rehearing, we
vacate the decision of the court of appeals. We affirm
the judgment of the district court.

Plaintiffs own approximately ten acres of land adjacent
to the southwest portion of the Iowa City Municipal Air-
port. The airport was in operation at the same location
when plaintiffs purchased the property sometime in the
1940s. Throughout their ownership of this property,
plaintiffs have resided in a dwelling located on the prem-
ises. In addition, they have operated a mobile home park
on the property.

The property was zoned as residential subsequent to
plaintiffs’ purchase thereof, and the mobile home park
operation has continued as a nonconforming use under
that zoning classification. Plaintiffs have attempted to
secure rezoning of the property so as to permit other
commercial uses, but those efforts have proved unsuccess-
ful. The most recent unsuccessful attempt to rezone the
property was in 1978 when plaintiffs applied to Johnson
County for rezoning to permit a motel operation.

Plaintiffs’ property is located at the end of airport
runway 6-24. In November 1984, the Iowa City Airport

3a

Commission undertook a project designated as “Runway
6-24 Extension Project.” This project contemplated that
runway 6-24 would be extended 1000 feet toward plain-
tiffs’ property. The extension required the taking of
1.18 acres of plaintiffs’ land. To help facilitate this proj-
ect, the City of Iowa City and Johnson County in 1984
jointly adopted a zoning ordinance prescribing height
and use restrictions for property surrounding the air-
port.

The 1984 ordinance proscribed structures from pene-
trating an “Approach Overlay Zone,” which is a plane
beginning 200 feet from the end of a runway and ex-
tending skyward at a slope of thirty-four horizontal feet
to one vertical foot (34:1 slope). This “approach slope’’
for the proposed 1000-foot extension of runway 6-24 pene-
trated the plaintiffs’ home and some of their ground.
Preexisting stuctures that did not conform to the ordi-
nance were permitted to remain without alteration as
nonconforming uses.

The ordinance also provided for a “Clear Overlay
Zone,” which places restrictions om uses for property
located beneath it. A substantial portion of plaintiffs’
property is within the clear zone. The ordinance pro-
vides:

Use limitations. No use shall be permitted in the
OCL Zone in which there is connected therewith a
building which according to the 19&2 edition of the

Uniform Building Code, has an occupancy rating

of 50 square feet of floor area per person or less.
In addition, the following uses shall not be permitted:

(a) Campgrounds.

(b) Fairgrounds.

(c) Hospitals and institutions.
(di Motels and hotels.

(e} Nursing and custodial home.
(f) Residential uses.

(ig) Restaurants and similar eating and drinking

estaodlishments.

4a

(h) Sanitary landfills.

(1) Schools, including nurseries, pre-kindergartens
and kindergartens,

(j) Stadiums.

(k) Storage of fuel or other hazardous materials.

(1) Theaters.

Exceptions and variances from the use limitations may
be allowed in some situations and a special board of ad-
justment has been established to consider such applica-
tions. To a large extent, the ordinance incorporated re-
strictions already contained in Federal Aviation Admin-
istration (FAA) regulations applicable to property sur-
rounding the airport. See 14 C.F.R. part 77 (1984).

In August 1986, the city initiated an eminent domain
proceeding to acquire 1.18 acres of plaintiffs’ property in
fee for the runway extension. The award in that pro-
ceeding is the subject of an appeal in a separate action
not affecting the present litigation. In December 1986,
plaintiffs filed a mandamus action demanding that the
city also condemn an avigation easement to permit flights
over their property.’ In October 1987, prior to adjudica-
tion of the mandamus action, the city did initiate emi-
nent domain proceedings to obtain such an easement.
That action was ultimately voided by district court or-
der as a result of a faulty description of the interests
being condemned. No further action has been taken by
the city to acquire an avigation easement over plaintiffs’
lands.

Ultimately, runway 6-24 was only extended 355 feet
instead of the 1000-foot extension originally contemplated.
The 1984 zoning ordinance was amended to accommo-
date this change. The primary result of these amend-
ments was to change the height restrictions of the ordi-

1In Dolezal v. City of Cedar Rapids, 209 N.W.2d 84, 87 (Iowa
1973), we described an avigation easement as one that permits
free flights over land including those so low and so frequent as
to amount to a taking of property.

va

nance to reflect the shorter runway. Under the amended
ordinance, plaintiffs’ dwelling penetrates 6.9 feet into the
specified approach slope. Like the 1984 ordinance, the
amended ordinance allows plaintiffs’ nonconforming uses
to continue without alteration.

When the ciay failed to reinitiate the aborted attempt
to condemn an avigation easement, plaintiffs again
pressed their mandamus action. They also amended that
action to allege that the zoning ordinances were so re-
strictive of property uses that they constituted a regu-
latory taking for which compensation was due plaintiffs.

After hearing the evidence presented at the trial of the
mandamus action, the district court concluded that the
ordinances do not constitute a compensable taking df
plaintiffs’ property. The court also considered and re-
jected plaintiffs’ claim that an avigation easement must
be condemned by the airport authority because of a direct
physical invasion of plaintiffs’ lands by overflying air-
craft. The latter claim was based on allegations that
unreasonable noise arid vibrations were occurring because
takeoffs and landings to and from the extended runway
were now more proximate to plaintiffs’ property. The
court found from the evidence that, in fact, there were
fewer flights over plaintiffs’ lands after the runway ex-
tension was completed than there were before that project
was initiated.” Other facts relevant to the case will be
considered in our discussion of the legal issues that have
been presented.

I. The Physical Invasion Claim.

We first consider plaintiffs’ claim that overflying air-
craft so adversely affects the use and enjoyment of their
property that a taking has resulted. In this regard, we
note the Supreme Court’s admonition that

2The court of appeals apparently found that the overflights

were a sufficient invasion to constitute a taking separate and apart
from the alleged regulatory taking.

6a

[a] ‘taking’ may more readily be found when the
interference with property can be characterized as a
physical invasion by the government .. . than when
interference arises from some public program adjust-
ing the benefits and burdens of economic life to pro-
mote the common good.
Penn Cent. Transp. Co. v. City of New York, 438 U.S.
104, 124, 98 S. Ct. 2646, 2659, 57 L. Ed. 2d 631, 648
(1978) (citation omitted). In some circumstances, over-
flying aircraft may amount to a physical invasion. See
United States v. Causby, 328 U.S. 256, 261, 66 S. Ct.
1062, 1065, 90 L. Ed. 1206, 1210 (1946).

Mandamus is an equitable action. Phelps v. Board of
Supervisors, 211 N.W.2d 274, 277 (Iowa 1973); Iowa
Code § 661.38 (1985). Our review is thus de novo. Iowa
R. App. P. 4. We tacitly recognized mandamus as a
procedural device to compel condemnation of an avigation
2asement in Dolezal, 209 N.W.2d at 87-88. In that case,
we recognized that an avigation easement may be re-
quired when flights are so low and so frequent as to
amount to a taking of property. /d. at 87. Of course,
every noise or interference with property as a result of
overflying aircraft does not constitute a taking. Land-
owners must endure some level of inconvenience, discom-
fort, and loss cf peace and quiet that can be reasonably
anticipated by members of a progressive society. But, as
the Minnesota court observed,

when those interferences reach the point where they
cause a measurable decrease in property market
value, it is reasonable to assume that, considering the
permanency of the air flights, a property right has
been, if not “taken or destroyed,” at the very least
“damaged,” for which our constitution requires that
compensation be paid.

Alevizos v. Metropolitan Airports Comm’n, 298 Minn.
471, 486-87, 216 N.M.2d 651, 662 (1974). In such eases,
the right to recovery is not for the nuisance that must be
endured but for the loss of value that has resulted.

7a

Although some courts have concluded that the issue of
whether a taking has occurred in airport overflight cases
is an issue of law for the mandamus court to decide in
the first instance, see, e.g., In re Ramsey, 31 Pa. Commw.
182, 186, 375 A.2d 886, 888-89 (1977), we believe the
better rule to be that the mandamus court should only
determine whether a factual issue exists that would per-
mit a condemnation commission or a jury on appeal of an
award to find an intrusion that produced a measurable
decrease in the property’s market value. The mandamus
court may find the evidence insufficient as a matter of
law to compel the summoning of a condemnation com-
mission, but that court is simply not called upon to rule
as a matter of law that a taking has occurred. To do so
would create an undesirable issue preclusion problem in a
later trial of a condemnation proceeding. It is for the
condemnation commission or trial jury to fix the loss of
value, if any, suffered by the property owner. Phelps,
211 N.W.2d at 276.

If some physical invasion is in fact demonstrated, there
is no de minimis rule. As the Supreme Court has ob-
served:

|Nlo matter how minute the intrusion, and no mat-

ter how weighty the public purpose behind it, we have

required compensation [for physica! invasion].
Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Couneil, US. —,
112 S. Ct. 2886, 2893, 120 L. Ed. 2d 798, 812 (1992).
The following comments of a Washington court are in-
structive on this point:

[T]he balance of interest inherently struck in this
type of action comes about in the following manner.
If the individual is unusually sensitive, and sustains
a greater injury than might be suffered by the gen-
eral public from such interference, the public interest
in maintaining the flights leaves him to one remedy—
to sell his property and move. This is no different

8a

than it would be had his land been condemned for
forced sale to the state. But whichever way the state
exacts such a “sale,” it must pay the individual the
amount he suffers in the diminishment of the value
of his land... . Such lowering of market value
reflects not the personal injury to the individual, but
the lesser desirability of the land to the general
public....

... |Whhere there is only an injury of the extent
such that it should be called or labeled “incidental,”
no measurable or provable decline in market value
could be expected traceable to the flights. Recovery
would not be forthcoming, but not because of some
arbitrary rule set for convenience in administration
of justice, but because of an inability to prove dam-
ages according to the common and well understood
rules of suit. Second, and even more significant to
the balancing problem, the smaller the provable de-
cline in market value, the slighter the burden cast
upon the public in paying for it. Surely the pro-
tection of the public interest does not entail the
refusal of smal! claims on the ground that the burden
to the public is not great enough to pay for!

Martin v. Pori of Seattle, 65 Wash. 2d 309, 318, 391
P.2d 540, 546-47 (1964). We accept these principles and
thus accept plaintiffs’ argument that, on their physical
invasion claim, they were not required to try their emi-
nent domain case in full in the mandamus action. They
were only required to present enough evidence to generate
a fact issue as to whether the overflying aircraft pro-
duced a measurable decrease in property value.

Plaintiffs appear to have contended at one point in the
litigation that the thirty-four horizontal feet to one ver-
tical foot approach slope constituted the flight path of
aircraft over their property on takeoffs and landings.
The evidence reveals, however, that the approach slope is
merely a clearance zone and bears no relationship to the

9a

actual altitude of planes over the land to which the ap-
proach slope applies. The record is devoid of any evi-
dence showing either the frequency or approximate alti-
tudes of planes flying over plaintiffs’ lands.

Defendants presented evidence that planes were taking
off and landing with approximately the same frequency
and altitude before and after the runway extension.
Three pilots who testified for defendants indicated that
after the runway was extended they altered their ap-
proach turns to runway 6-24 so as to keep farther away
from plaintiffs’ property. Two of these pilots conceded,
however, that planes landing on runway 6-24 would now
pass over plaintiffs’ lands at lower altitudes as a result
of the 355-foot runway extension.

Although plaintiff Phyllis Fitzgarrald testified as to
some inconvenience from airport noise, she did not fix
the frequency of such occurrences nor indicate that this
occurred on a regular basis. She testified that some
tenants of the mobile home park had left after the run-
way was extended, but admitted that she had no personal
knowledge as to the reason why. No other evidence was
offered concerning loss of tenants at the park. Most sig-
nificant perhaps, for purposes of plaintiffs’ physical inva-
sion claim, is the fact that the loss-of-value evidence that
they presented related entirely to their regulatory taking
claim. None of the witnesses at trial testified that over-
flying aircraft adversely affected the market value of
plaintiffs’ property. Consequently, we are forced to con-
clude that there is a deficiency of proof as to the element
of “measurable decrease in market value” due to over-
flying aircraft. The district court correctly rejected
plaintiffs’ physical invasion claim, and the court of ap-
peals erred in concluding otherwise.

II. The Regulatory Taking Issue.

We next consider whether the district court was correct
in deciding the regulatory taking issue adversely to plain-

ae aad

10a

tiffs. Although action by the state or its political subdi-
visions pursuant to the police power and the power of
eminent domain were once thought to be separate and
compartmentalized powers that did not overlap, this view
has now been largely abandoned. See 2 A. Gaudio, The
American Law of Real Property $17.05, at 87-102
(1991). We have recognized the “inevitable danger” to
private property that would exist if the “just compensa-
tion” requirements of the fifth amendment to the federal
Constitution and article I, section 18 of the Iowa Consti-
tution could be circumvented through the guise of police
power regulations. Business Ventures, Inc. v. Iowa City,
234 N.W.2d 376, 381-82 (Iowa 1975).

We have previously observed that:

A] “taking” does not necessarily mean the appropri-
ation of the fee. It may be anything which substan-
tially deprives one of the use and enjoyment of his
property or a portion thereof.... |T]here has been
a taking if, as plaintiffs contend, there has been a
substantial interference with their use and enjoy-
ment of their property... .

Phelps, 211 N.W.2d at 276 (citations omitted). Al-
though not every police power regulation that restricts
some beneficial use of property creates a compensable
taking, see Stone v. City of Wilton, 331 N.W.2d 398. 404
(Towa 1983), the frustration of investment-backed ex-
pectations by zoning ordinances may constitute a taking
fer which compensation is due. See, e.g., Agins v. City of
Tiburon, 477 U.S. 255, 260, 100 S. Ct. 2138, 2141. 65 L.,.
Ed. 2d 106, 112 (1980) (application of general zoning
‘aw to particular property affects a taking if it denies
the economically viable use of the land): Obsorn +. City
of Cedar Rapids, 324 N.W.2d 471, 474 (Iowa 1982) (ac-
tion taken for public good that places uncompensated
burden upon plaintiff’s property not shared by public at
large may constitute taking); Woodbury County Soil
Conservation Dist. v. Ortner, 279 N.W.2d 276, 278 (Iowa

lla

1979) (even exercise of police power may amount to tak-
ing if it deprives owner of substantial use and enjoyment
of property).

Plaintiffs offered the testimony of an expert witness
who stated that there property was located in an area
where commercial development was taking place. This
witness expressed the view that the airport “clear zone”
requirement was a detriment to the property’s develop-
ment potential. We believe the substance of that conclu-
sion is to be strongly inferred from the record in the
absence of expert testimony.

A loss of development potential may be a significant
factor in “taking” claims based on zoning restrictions.
See Lucas, U.S. at , 112 S. Ct. at 2893-94, 120
L. Ed. 2d at 813-14. Absent some physical invasion, how-
ever, a taking does not occur until there has been a sub-
stantial interference with investment-backed expectations.
Stone, 331 N.W.2d at 404. There are two principles that
we believe affect this determination. First, the court
should look at the value of the use remaining rather than
the diminution of value of the property. Penn Cent.
Transp. Co., 438 U.S. at 130-31, 98 S. Ct. at 2662-63, 57
L. Ed. 2d at 552-53.* Second, “ ‘taking’ jurisprudence
does not divide a single parcel into discreet segments and
attempt to determine whether rights in a particular seg-
ment have been entirely abrogated.” Jd.

In the recent Lucas case, the Court again considered
whether

the situation [is] one in which the owner has been
deprived of all economically beneficial use of the bur-
dened portion of the tract, or as one in which the

* We suggested that a regulatory taking may arise from “any-
thing that substantially deprives one of the use and enjoyment
of his property or a portion thereof” in Phelps, 211 N.W.2d at 276.
That case, however, involved a physical invasion for which the
“taking” criteria differ substantially from those applicable in regu-
latory zoning cases.

el

12a

owner has suffered a mere diminution in value of
the tract as a whole.

Lucas, —— U.S. at ——., 112 S. Ct. at 2894, 120 L. Ed.
2d at $13. The Court suggests that this question turns on
how the interest is viewed under state property law. /d.
Damages for a partial taking under Iowa law are not
measured by the value of the portion taken. They are
measured by the diminution in value of the original tract.
See Twin-State Eng’g & Chem. Co. v. Iowa State High-
way Comm'n, 197 N.W.2d 575, 577-78 (lowa 1972):
Powers v. City of Dubuque, 176 N.W.2d 135, 138 (lowa
1970). Thus, under state property law, we view the
present interference as one in which the owner has suf-
fered a diminution in value of the tract as a whole.

In light of the principles just discussed, we conclude
that the alleged deprivation in the present case is much
less severe than that which was hled to be insufficient to
support a constitutional taking in Stone, 331 N.W.2d at
404. As was the case in Stone, these plaintiffs continue
to have an economically viable use of their property even
though its market value has to some extent been dimin-
ished as a result of the airport zoning ordinances. This
loss of value is insufficient to support a finding that a
regulatory taking has occurred. The court of appeals
erred in determining otherwise.

We have considered all issues presented and conclude
that the decision of the court of appeals must be vacated
and the judgment of the district court affirmed in all
respects.

DECISION OF COURT OF APPEALS VACATED:
DISTRICT COURT JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.

13a

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT
IN AND FOR JOHNSON COUNTY

No. ———

DEAN A. FITZGARRALD AND PHYLLIS FITZGARRALD
Plaintiffs,

THE Ciry or Iowa City, Iowa
Defendant.

PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS
| Filed Dee. 15, 1986]

Plaintiffs state:

1. Plaintiffs are residents of Johnson County, Iowa,
and the owners of certain real estate located immediately
abutting and to the west of the Iowa City Municipal Air-

port, a facility owned and operated by the Defendant.

2. Plaintiffs’ property consists of a tract of land hav-
ing an area of between 6 and 10 acres which has been
used for the operation of a mobile home court for many

years.

3. During 1986 the Defendant, through the acts of its
City Council, determined to extend Runway 6-24 of the
lowa City Municipal Airport and for such purpose deter-
mined to acquire property owned by these Plaintiffs and

others.

4. Pursuant to such project, Defendant instituted con-
demnation proceedings and on November 18, 1986, con-

demned 1.18 acres of Plaintiffs’ land.

5. Defendant has also adopted a glide slope of 34:1
for Runway 6 as a result of which aircrafts usihg said

4

l4da

glide slope will cause great annoyance, disturbance, and
impair the safety of the aircraft, its passengers, and the
occupants of Plaintiffs’ mobile home court.

6. On October 7, 1986, Defendant’s council passed a
resolution finding that it was necessary to acquire an
avigation easement over 5.02 acres of Plaintiffs’ property,
a copy of said resolution being attached hereto as Exhibit
“A” and made a part hereof,

7. Notwithstanding the enactment of Exhibit “A”, the
Defendant has instituted condemnation proceedings for
the purpose of acquiring fee title to only 1.18 acres of
land owned by the Plaintiffs as more particularly referred
to in the condemnation described in paragraph 4 above,
a copy of the Notice of said proceedings being attached
as Exhibit “B” and by this reference made a part hereof.

8. The Defendant should be required to acquire in one
condemnation proceeding all of the interests of the Plain-
tiffs which have been or are being “taken” by the Defend-
ant in connection with its airport extensions, modifica-
tions, and operation.

9. Plaintiffs have no plan, speedy, and adequate rem-
edy at law.

10. Plaintiffs are private individuals having a personal
interest in this matter and the failure of the Defendant
to acquire the interest of the Plaintiffs in their property
Which have already been de facto “taken” is the proper
subject of a writ of mandamus commanding the Defend-
ant to institute condemnation proceedings immediately
for the purpose of acquiring such interest.

11. Plaintiffs have demanded that such acquisition
occur but Defendant has failed or refused to comply with
such demand.

By reason of the foregoing, Plaintiffs ask that a Writ
of Mandamus issue commanding the Defendant to forth-
with institute condemnation procedures to acquire the

| ona

l5a

avigation easement more particularly described in Ex-
hibit “A” as part of the condemnation referred to in
Exhibit “B” and that the Plaintiffs be granted further
auxiliary relief as may be proper and Defendant be or-
dered to pay the cost of this action including a reasonable
attorney’s fee (see Exhibit ““C” attached).

MEARDON, SUEPPEL,
DOWNER & HAYES

By /s/ William L. Meardon

WILLIAM L. MEARDON

172 South Linn Street

Iowa City, Iowa 52240

Telephone:
319-338-9222

Attorneys for
Plaintiffs

l6a
EXHIBIT “A”
RESOLUTION NO. 86-312

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF
CERTAIN PROPERTY INTERESTS BY NEGOTIA-
TION OF CONDEMNATION IN CONNECTION
WITH THE RUNWAY 6-24 EXTENTION PROJECT
AT THE IOWA CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.

WHEREAS, the City Council has approved funding for
the Runway 6-24 Extension Project at the Iowa City
Municipal Airport, and

WHEREAS, by Resolution 86-254 the City Council previ-
ously authorized institution of condemnation proceedings
to acquire four parcels of real property necessary for said
improvements at the Iowa City Municipal Airport, and

WHEREAS, as an integral part of said project, it is also
necessary to acquire an avigation easement over 5.02 acres
of private property owned by Dean and Phyllis Fitzgar-
rald. A plat and legal description of the property over
which the easement is to be acquired is attached hereto
and incorporated herein as Exhibit A.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, that the Air-
port Manage) be and is hereby authorized and directed to
negotiate the acquisition of an avigation easement over
the property of Dean and Phyllis Fitzgarrald, as herein-
after described, necessary for public improvements at the
Iowa City Municipal Airport in conjunction with the Run-
way 6-24 Extension Project, which project this City Coun-
cil deems to be for a public purpose and in the public
interest.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event
the Airport Manager is unable to acquire said property
interests by negotiation, the City Attorney be and is
hereby authorized and directed to institute and conduct

Ee

17a
condemnation proceedings pursuant to state law to ac-
quire said property interests.

It was moved by Dickson and second by McDonald the
Resolution be adopted, and upon roll call there were:

AYES: NAYS: ABSENT:
iw
——- —_—— —— AMBRISCO
w
a ed — — BAKER
a
aa meee — —— COURTNEY
iw
cutenemtenss a ——— DICKSON
“
— ——— —— MCDONALD
Vw
— —— ——— STRAIT
a
—_—— ——. ——— ZUBER

Passed and approved this 7th day of October, 1986.

Mayor

ATTEST:

City Clerk |
| Resolved & Approved By The Legal Department
10/2/86]

18a
EXHIBIT “B”

IN THE MATTER OF CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LAND AND
PROPERTY RIGHTS BY THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, FOR
THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE CITY OF IOWA City, IOWA,
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 471 OF THE CODE OF IOWA
(1985), FOR THE RUNWAY 6-24 EXTENSION PROJECT AT
THE IOWA CiTy MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, ON LAND DESCRIBED
IN THE EXHIBITS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART
HEREOF: ALL SUCH LAND LOCATED IN IOWA CITY, JOHN-
SON COUNTY, IOWA.

To: Dean A. Fitzgarrald and Phyllis Fitzgarrald
Highway 1 South
lowa City, lowa 52240

Johnson County, Iowa

co Johnson County Auditor

Johnson County Administration Bldg.
913 5. Dubuque Street

Iowa City, Iowa 52240

Johnson County, Iowa

ec 0 Johnson County Treasurer
Johnson County Administration Bldg.
913 8. Dubuque Street

lowa City, lowa 52240

State of Iowa

¢ o Johnson County Clerk of Court
Johnson County Courthouse

lowa City, lowa 52240

State of Iowa

Iowa Dept. of Transportation
c/o Richard E. Kautz

Resident Maintenance Engineer
227 First Street

Iowa City, Iowa 52240

19a

lowa-Illinois Gas & Electrie Co.

c/o Thomas T. Hoogerwerf, Gen. Mgr.
1630 Lower Muscatine Road

lowa City, lowa 52240

And all other persons, companies or corporations hav-
ing any interest in or owning any of the following de-
scribed real estate:

That part of the NE1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 20,
Township 79 North, Range 6 West, lying southeast-
erly of present State Highway No. 1, Westerly of the
original State Highway No. 1, and Northeasterly of
the county road, in Johnson County, Iowa, described
as follows:

Commencing at the NE corner of said Section 20;
thence S 01°45’ W along the East line of said NE1/4
a distance of 743.0 feet to a point on the southeast-
erly right-of-way line of present State Highway No.
1; thence S 38°04’ W along said right-of-way line
261.5 feet; thence S 24°59’30” E along said right-of-
way line 102.00 feet; thence N 36°18’ W along said
right-of-way line 87.3 feet; thence S 11°69’ W along
said right-of-way line 67.0 feet to a point on the cen-
terline of the county road; thence S 36°18’ E along
said centerline 85.9 feet to the beginning of a tangent
curve to the right; said curve having a radius of
572.96 feet; thence southeasterly along said curve on
said centerline 215.1 feet through a central angle of
21 30’50” to a point on the centerline curve of said
original State Highway No. 1; said curves not being
tangent; thence northerly along the second curve 165.4
feet on the centerline of said original State Highway
No. 1, said second curve having a chord bearing N
10 01’ E, a radius of 572.96 feet, and concave West-
erly, through a central angle of 16°32’15” to the point
of tangency on the said East line of the NE1 4:
thence N 01 45’ E along said East line on said cen-

—

20a

terline of original State Highway No. 1 a distance of
393.6 feet to the point of beginning. Containing 1.18
acres, more or less. Subject to the county road and
eastments of record. For the purpose of this deserip-
tion, the East line of the NE1/4 is assumed to bear
S 01°45’ W.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the City of
Iowa City, lowa, desires condemnation in fee simple of
the above-described real estate as shown in the plat at-
tached hereto as Exhibit A.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED:

1. That such condemnation is sought for the purpose
of improving the Jowa City Municipal Airport in con-
junction with the Runway 6-24 Extension Project and
that such condemnation is done pursuant to law as pro-
vided in Chapters 471 and 472, Code of Iowa (1985).

2. That a Compensation Commission has been ap-
pointed as provided by law for the purpose of appraising
the damages which will be caused by said condemnation.

3. That said Compensation Commission will, on the
18th day of November, 1986, at 9:00 o’clock a.m., view
said premises and proceed to appraise said damages at
1:30 o’clock p.m. at the Office of the Johnson County
Sheriff, Iowa City, Iowa, at which time you may appear
before said Commission if you care to do so.

CITY OF IOWA CITY

By: /s/ David E. Brown
CiTy OF IOWA CITY
DAviID E. BROWN
Assistant City Attorney
410 E. Washington St.
Jowa City, Iowa 52240
ATTORNEY FOR

CONDEMNER

2la
Filed in my office at fowa City, Iowa, this day of
, 1986.

GARY HUGHES
Sheriff of Johnson County

ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE
Service of the above and foregoing notice is hereby ac-
cepted and receipt of a copy thereof acknowledged, and I
hereby waive time of service and/or any publication of
such notice in a newspaper.

Signed at , lowa, this
vember, 1986.

day of No-

s/ Dean A. Fitzgarrald
DEAN A. FITZGARRALD

s/ Phyllis Fitzgarrald
PHYLLIS EITZGARRALD

STATE OF IOWA ]
) ss
COUNTY OF JOHNSON
Received the within notice the ——— day of November,
1986 ——-—, and I hereby certify that I have served the

same on the persons named below, by delivering a true
copy of the same to each of said persons at the time and
place set opposite their respective names:

Name a Month Day Year
Township City ‘Town ~~~ County “State
Fees:
Service $——— Gary HUGHES
Mileage $———— Sheriff of Johnson County
By:

Total $———- Deputy

22a

APPLICATION TO THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE
SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FOR THE
APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION TO

APPRAISE DAMAGES

IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LAND
AND PROPERTY RIGHTS BY THE CITY OF IOWA ClITy, IOWA
FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY,
iOWA, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 471 OF THE CODE OF IOWA
(1985), FOR THE RUNWAY 6-24 EXTENSION PROJECT AT
THE IOWA CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, ON LAND DE-
SCRIBED IN THE EXHIBITS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE
A PART HEREOF: ALL SUCH LAND LOCATED IN IOWA CITY,
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA.

To: The Honorable August F. Honsell, Chief Judge of the
Sixth Judicial District, including Johnson County,
Iowa

COMES NOW, City of Iowa City, Iowa, by and through
its attorney, David Ek. Brown, Assistant City Attorney,
und for purposes of making Application to the Court pur-
suant to Chapters 471 and 472, Code of Iowa (1985) does
respectfully state as follows:

1. That the City of Iowa City, Iowa, is a municipal
corporation, duly organized, authorized and exist-
ing pursuant to the laws of the State of Iowa.

bo

That pursuant to and in compliance with the laws
of the State of Iowa, the City Council of the City
of Iowa City, Iowa, has determined that the pub-
lic interest requires the City of Iowa City to make
improvements for the Iowa City Municipal Air-
port on property commencing at

That part of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of
Section 20, Township 79 North, Range 6

23a

West, lying southeasterly of present State
Highway No. 1, westerly of the original State
Highway No. 1, and northeasterly of the
county road, in Johnson County, Iowa, de-
scribed as follows:

Commencing at the NE corner of said Sec-
tion 20; thence S 01°45’ W along the East
line of said NE 1/4 a distance of 743.0 feet
to a point on the southeasterly right-of-way
line of present State Highway No. 1; thence
S 38°04’ W along said right-of-way line
261.5 feet; thence S 24°59’30” If along said
right-of-way line 102.0 feet; thence N 36 18’
W along said right-of-way line 87.3 feet;
thence S 11°59’ W along said right-of-way
line 67.0 feet to a point on the centerline of
the county road; thence S 36°18’ FE along
said centerline 85.9 feet to the beginning of
a tangent curve to the right; said curve hav-
ing a radius of 572.96 feet; thence south-
easterly along said curve on said centerline
215.1 feet through a central angle of 21° 30’
50° to a point on the centerline curve of said
original State Highway No. 1; said curves
not being tangent; thence northerly along
the second curve 165.4 feet on the center line
of said original State Highway No. 1, said
second curve having a chord bearing N 10 01’
E, a radius of 572.96 feet, and concave West-
erly, through a central angle of 16°32’15” to
the point of tangency on the said East line of
the NE 1/4; thence N 01°45’ E along said
cast line on said center line of original State
Highway No. 1 a distance of 393.6 feet to the
point of beginning. Containing 1.18 acres,
more or less. Subject to the county road and

—

24a

easements of record. For the purpose of this
description, the East line of the NE 1/4 is
assumed to bear S 01°45’ W.

Said property to be taken by condemnation pro-
ceedings as provided by law, as shown in “Exhibit
A” attached hereto and incorporated by reference
herein.

3. That the real estate affected and the record own-
ers, lienholders, encumberances and all other per-
sons interested therein are listed on the docu-
ments herein attached and form a part hereof;
and are shown with reference to their location
as to the lands affected on the plat attached
hereto and made a part hereof; further, that
said real estate is located in Iowa City, Johnson
County, Iowa.

4. That the City of Iowa City has been unable to
secure the described rights and land by purchase
and conveyance.

PY,

5. That the land sought to be condemned is agricul-
tural property and that such land is classified as
Class IIT land under the United States Department
of Agriculture soil conservation service land e¢a-
pability classification system; further, that said
Class II land is reasonably necessary for the work
of internal improvement fer which condemnation
is sought.

WHEREFORE, CITY respectfully requests that ap-
pointments be made of a Compensation Commission to
assess damages as provided in Chapter 472, Code of Iowa
(1985).

Dated this 5th day of August, 1986.

25a

City OF Iowa City, IOWA

By: /s/ David E. Brown
DAVID E. BROWN
Assistant City Attorney
410 E. Washington St.
lowa City, Iowa 52240
356-5033

Filed in my office in Linn County, Iowa, this 6th day of
August 19&6.

s/ August F. Honsell
AUGUST F. HONSELL
Chief Judge
Sixth Judicial District

of Iowa

26a
PARCEL INFORMATION SHEET

IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LAND

a

AND PROPERTY RIGHTS BY THE CITY OF IOWA CITy, IOWA,
FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE CITY oF IOWA CITY,
IOWA, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 471 OF THE CODE OF IOWA
(1985), FOR THE RUNWAY 6-24 EXTENSION PROJECT AT
THE IOWA CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, ON LAND DE-
SCRIBED IN THE EXHIBITS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE
A PART HEREOF: ALL SUCH LAND LOCATED IN IOWA CITY,
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA.

Condemnation of fee simple absolute title is sought
of the following described real estate:

That part of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section
20, Township 79 North, Range 6 West, lying
southeasterly of present State Highway No. 1,
westerly of the original State Highway No. 1,
and northeasterly of the county road, in Johnson
County, Iowa, described as follows:

Commencing at the NE corner of said Section 20;
thence S 01°45’ W along the East line of said NE
1/4 a distance of 743.0 feet to a point on the
southeasterly right-of-way line of present State
Highway No. 1; thence S 38°04’ W along said
right-of-way line 261.5 feet; thence S 24 59’30”
FE along said right-of-way line 102.0 feet; thence
N 36°18’ W along said rightof-way line 87.3 feet;
thence S 11°59’ W along said right-of-way line
67.0 feet to a point on the centerline of the county
road; thence S 36°18’ E along said centerline 85.9
feet to the beginning of a tangent curve to the
right; said curve having a radius of 572.96 feet;
thence southeasterly along said curve on said cen-

bo

27a

terline 215.1 feet through a central angle of
21°30’50” to a point on the centerline curve of
said original State Highway No. 1; said curves
not being tangent; thence northerly along the
second curve 165.4 feet on the center line of said
original State Highway No. 1, said second curve
having a chord bearing N 10°01’ E, a radius of
572.96 feet, and concave Westerly, through a cen-
tral angle of 16°32’15” to the point of tangency
on the said East line of the NE 1/4; thence N
1°45’ E along said East line on said center line
of original State Highway No. 1 a distance of
393.6 feet to the point of beginning. Containing
1.18 acres, more or less. Subject to the county
road and easements of record. For the purpose of
this description, the East line of the NE 1/4 is
assumed to bear S 01°45’ W.

Attached hereto and made a part hereof by this ref-
erence is a plat showing the parcel of real estate
sought for condemnation (see attached Exhibit A).

Record Title Vested in: Dean A. Fitzgarrald and
Phyllis Fitzgarrald

Easements:

a) Easement in favor of Johnson County, Iowa,
for road purposes as recorded in Book 136, page
32. b) Easement in favor of the State of Iowa,
for road purposes, as recorded in Book 180, page
197. c) Easement in favor of Iowa-Illinois Gas
and Electric Company over a certain 20 foot
strip, as recorded in Book 230, page 202. d) Ease-
ment in favor of Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric
Company over a twenty foot strip, as recorded in
Book 337, page 218.

Mortgages and Lienholders: None

28a

Other matters affecting title:

Judgment entered for traffic violator in favor of
the State of Iowa against Phyilis F. Fitzgarrald
on September 2, 1988, in the amount of $54.00,
plus $6.00 court costs.

Texas:
Johnson County, Iowa
c/o County Auditor
Johnson County Courthouse
Iowa City, Iowa 52240

Tax Liens: None

Parcel Information Sheet—Page 2 of 2
City of Iowa City, Iowa, Applicant
Fitzgarrald Parcel

29a

NE COR.
PLAT a 90~Fe-8

JOWA CITY AIRPORT

N

ty
| SOUTHEASTERLY R.O.W. LINE A OU
wns OF PRESENT STATE HIGHWAY NO. t 7

/ \ ar.
SCALE: " 103" ™ ante )

© &ET IRON PIN * .
@ FOUND IAON Pin
CENTERLINE OF

COUNTY ROAD

383.6
NO1° 46°E

CENTERLINE OF ORIGINAL
STATE HIGHWAY NO. 1

Bi A. FITIOARANLO ARS PHYLLIS FITICARRALD

That part of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 20,
Township 79 North, Range 6 West, lying southwesterly
of present State Highway No. 1, westerly of the original
State Highway No. 1, and northeasterly of the county
road, in Johnson County, Iowa, described as follows:

Commencing at the NE corner of said Section 20;
thence S 01°48’ W along the East line of said NE 1/4
a distance of 743.0 feet to a point on the southeasterly
right-of-way line of present State Highway No. 1; thence

30a

S 38°04’ W along said right-of-way line 281.5 feet; thence
» 24°69'30" FE along said right-of-way line 102.0 feet:
thence N 36°18’ W along said right-of-way line. 87.3 feet;
thence S 11°59’ W along said right-of-way line 67.0 feet
fo a point on the centerline of the county road; thence S
88 18" bo along said centerline 85.9 feet to the beginning
of a tangent curve to the right; said curve having a radius
of 672.96 feet; thence southeasterly along said curve on
said centerline 215.1 feet through a central angle of 21)
8050” to a point on the centerline curve of said original]
State Highway No. 1; said curves not being tangent;
thence northerly along the second curve 165.4 feet on the
Ttenterline of said original State Highway Ne. 1, said
second curve having a chord bearing N 10°01’ E, a radius
of 572.95 feet, and coneave Westerly, through a central
angle of 16 32715” “g oi point of tangency on the said
Kast line of the NE 1/4, thence N 01°45’ FE along said
last line on said maeweas of original State Highway No.
1 a distance of 393.6 feet to the point of beginning. Con-
taining 1.18 acres, more or less. Subject to the county
road assessments of record. For the purpose of this de-
scription the last line of the NE 1/4 is assumed to bear
S O01 45’ W.

[ hereby certify that this Map, Plat, Survey or Report
Was made by me or under my direct personal supervision
and that lam a duly registered land surveyor under the
laws of the State of Iowa.

FEBRUARY 21, 1985 Donald E. Pullett, D.S.

Date — DONALD E. PULLETT |
Iowa Registrator

8la

SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF
COMPENSATION COMMISSION BY THE CHIEF
JUDGE OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

__ eS

IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LAND
AND PROPERTY RIGHTS BY THE CITY OF IOWA City, Iowa,
FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE CITY OF IOWA City,
IOWA, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 471 OF THE CODE OF IOWA
(1985), FOR THE RUNWAY 6-24 EXTENSION PROJECT AT
THE IOWA City MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, ON LAND DE-
SCRIBED IN THE EXHIBITS ATTACHED HERETO ANI) MADE
A PART HEREOF: ALL SUCH LAND LOCATED IN IOWA CITY,
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA.

An Application for Condemnation having been filed
with me by the City of Iowa City, Iowa, for the selection
and appointment, by lot, of six suitable persons as the law
provides to act as a compensation commission to assess
and appraise the damages sustained by reason of the con-
demnation of certain specified rights in certain land de-
scribed by Applicant, in its Application filed in the above
matter, I hereby designate, select, and appoint as the
members of the said compensation commission required in
this matter the following persons:

Name Address Qualifications

Robert Carran Sr. Iowa City Licensed Real Estate Salesman
or Broker

David Cozine Iowa City Licensed Real Estate Salesman
or Broker

Rick Anderson Iowa City Knowledgeable of Property
Values by Virtue of Occupation

Kenny O’Donnell Iowa City Knowledgeable of Property
Values by Virtue of Occupation

Robert Lenz Iowa City Owner-Operator of Avricultural
Property

Lillian Rohert Oxford, Iowa Owner-Operator of Agricultural

Property

32a

I further designate, select, and appoint, the above
named Robert Carran Sr. to act as Chairman of said
Commission.

TO THE SHERIFF OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA;
Attached hereto please find a duplicate of the Application
for Condemnation in the above entitled matter.

Dated at Cedar Rapids, lowa, this 6th day of August,
1985.

/s/ August F. Honsell
AuGust F. HONSELL
Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District,
including Johnson County, lowa

Filed in my office at Iowa City, Iowa, this
, 1986.

day of

GARY HUGHES
Sheriff of Johnson County, Iowa

33a

SUPPLEMENTARY ORDER APPOINTING
ALTERNATE COMPENSATION COMMISSIONERS

IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATICN OF CERTAIN LAND
AND PROPERTY RIGHTS BY THE CITY OF IOWA City, Iowa,
FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY,
IOWA, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 471 OF THE CODE OF IOWA
(1985), FOR THE RUNWAY 6-24 EXTENSION PROJECT AT
THE IoWA CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, ON LAND DE-
SCRIBED IN THE EXHIBITS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE
A PART HEREOF: ALL SUCH LAND LOCATED IN IOWA CITY,
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA.

An Application for Condemnation having been filed
with me by the City of Iowa City, Iowa, entitled as above,
for the selection and appointment, by lot, of a duly con-
stituted compensation commission, said selection and ap-
pointment having been made by me, I further appoint
the folowing persons to serve as alternate members of
said compensation commission, in the event that any of
the said members having the same qualifications are un-
able to serve for any reason.

Name Address Qualifications

Gary L. Fink Iowa City Licensed Real Estate Salesman
or Broker

Bernie Green Iowa City Knowledgeable of Property
Values by Virtue of Occupation

Dan Black Oxford, Iowa Owner-Operator of Agricultural
Property

The Sheriff of Johnson County, Iowa, shall upon being
informed of a vacancy in the compensation commission,
notify the alternate member appointed having the same
qualifications as the person unable to serve in the same
manner as the original commissioners were notified.

34a

Dated at Cedar Rapids, lowa, this 6th day of August,
L986.

s’ August F. Honsell
AuGustT IF’, HONSELL
Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District,
including Johnson County, Iowa

Filed in my office at lowa City, Iowa, this day of
—_———, 1986.

GARY HUGHES

Sheriff of Johnson County, Iowa

85a

APPLICANT’S CERTIFICATION THAT ITS
APPLICATION FOR CONDEMNATION HAS BEEN
APPROVED BY THE CHIEF JUDGE

IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LAND
AND PROPERTY RIGHTS BY THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA,
PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 471 OF THE CODE OF IOWA
(1985), FOR THE RUNWAY 6-24 EXTENSION PROJECT AT
THE IOWA City MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, ON LAND DE-
SCRIBED IN THE EXHIBITS ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE
A PART HEREOF: ALL SUCH LAND LOCATED IN IOWA CITY,
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA.

COMES NOW, the City of Iowa City, Iowa, by and
through its attorney, David E. Brown, Assistant City
Attorney, and hereby certifies that the attached Applica-
tion for Condemnation has been approved by the Chief
Judge and that a compensation commission has been
appointed.

CiITy OF IOWA CITY

By: /s/ David E. Brown
DAVID EK. BROWN
Assistant City Attorney
410 E. Washington St.
Iowa City, lowa 52240

36a
EXHIBIT “C”

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT
FOR JOHNSON COUNTY

No.

DEAN A. FITZGARRALD and PHYLLIS FITZGARRALD,
Plaintiffs,
vs.

THE CITY OF Iowa City, Iowa,
Defendant.

AFFIDAVIT FOR ATTORNEY’S FEES

STATE OF IOWA )
> we:
COUNTY OF JOHNSON _ )

I, William L. Meardon, being first duly sworn on this
15th day of December, 1986, upon my oath depose and
state that I am the attorney who filed the Petition for
Writ of Mandamus to which this Affidavit is attached
and there has been no agreement between me, this law
firm, and the Defendant, express or implied, nor between
me and this law firm or any other person for any divi-
sion or share of the fee to be taxed as a result of the
events alleged in the above-entitled matter, any such fees
when taxed to be in favor of Meardson, Sueppel, Downer
& Hayes as compensation for services actually performed
in this action.

/s/ William L. Meardon
WILLIAM L. MEARDON

37a

Subscribed and sworn to before me by William L.
Meardon on this 15th day of December, 1986.

s/ Staci E. Haynes
STACI E. HAYNES
Notary Public in and
for the State of Iowa

38a

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT
IN AND FOR JOHNSON COUNTY

No. 50400

DEAN A, FITZGARRALD AND PHYLLIS FITZGARRALD,
Plaintiffs,
VS.

THE City OF Iowa City, Iowa,
Defendant.

MOTION FOR LEAVE TO AMEND

Plaintiffs ask leave of Court to amend their Petition
for Writ of Mandamus as more particularly described in
the amendment attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and by
this reference made a part hereof. Plaintiffs further
state as gounds for this motion:

1. Plaintiffs at their own substantial expense have
recently obtained a topographical survey of their prop-
erty.

2. Plaintiffs have retained an engineer in an attempt
to ascertain the impact of the 34:1 glide slope upon their
entire property and are now advised that their entire
property has been severely and detrimentally affected py
Defendant’s action.

3. Plaintiffs are entitled to just compensation for a
“taking” involving their entire property as opposed to
that portion of Plaintiffs’ property that Defendant pur-
ports to acquire by condemnation.

By reason of the foregoing, Plaintiffs ask that the Court
approve this motion and that the attached amendment

39a

to Plaintiffs’ petition be considered as having been filed
upon Court approval of this motion.

MEARDON, SUEPPEL,
DOWNER & HAYES

By: /s/ William L. Meardon
WILLIAM L. MEARDON
122 South Linn Street
lowa City, Iowa 52240
Telephone: 319/339-9222
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
Copy to:

David Kk. Brown

Hayek, Hayek, Hayek & Holland
sremer Building

120-1/2 East Washington Street
Iowa City, lowa 52240

40a

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT
IN AND FOR JOHNSON COUNTY

No. 50400

DEAN A. FITZGARRALD and PHYLLIS FITZGARRALD,
Plaintiffs,

VS.

THE CITY OF IOWA City, Iowa,
Plaintiffs,

AMENDMENT TO PETITION FOR
WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Plaintiffs having obtained leave of Court amend their
petition as follows:

1. By adding thereto the following:

15. The enactment by the Defendant of the 34:1
approach slope for Runway 6 together with
Defendant’s condemnation proceedings now on
file constitute a taking of Plaintiffs’ entire
property not limited to the avigation easement
sought by Defendant through condemnatory
proceedings.

i6. The action of the Defendant in adopting the
approach slope ordinance and increasing the
length of Runway 6 as well as the enactment
of a “clear zone” encompassing all but slightly
more than 7,000 square feet of Plaintiffs’ prop-
erty constitutes a “taking” of Plaintiffs’ prop-
erty rights over their entire property for which
Plaintiffs are entitled to compensation under
the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the
Constitution of the United States and Section

ae

4la

18 of Article 1 of the Constitution of the State
of Iowa.

17. The conduct of the Defendant in enacting the
ordinances referred to above was taken without
proper investigation of or concern for the prop-
erty interests of the Plaintiffs.”

2. By deleting the existing prayer of Plaintiffs’ peti-
tion now on file and inserting in lieu thereof the follow-
ing:

“By reason of the foregoing, Plaintiffs ask that a
writ of mandamus issue commanding the Defendant
to forthwith institute condemnation procedures to
acquire an avigation easement over Plaintiffs’ entire
property except for that portion thereof being ac-
quired in fee (1.18 acres) rather than the avigation
easement which Defendant seeks over only a portion
of Plaintiffs’ property as proposed by the Defendant,
and that the Plaintiffs be granted further auxiliary
relief as may be proper and Defendant be ordered to
pay the costs of this action including a reasonable
attorney’s fee (Exhibit “C” attached to the original
petition is made « part hereof).”

MEARDON, SUEPPEL,
DOWNER & HAYES

By: /s/ Wiliiam L. Meardon
WILLIAM L. MEARDON
122 South Linn Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Telephone: 319/338-9222
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Copy to:

David E. Brown

Hayek, Hayek, Hayek & Holland
Bremer Building

120-1/2 East Washington Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240

42a

IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT
IN AND FOR JOHNSON COUNTY

No. 50400

DEAN A. FITZGARRALD and PHYLLIS FITZGARRALD,
Plaintiffs,
vs.

THe City OF IOWA City, Iowa,
Defendant.

RULING
| Filed Nov. 1, 1990]

Trial was held on August 7 and 8, 1990. Plaintiffs,
Phyllis and Dean Fitzgarrald, were represented by Wil-
liam Meardon. The City of Iowa City was represented by
David Brown. Johnson County was represented by Pat-
rick White. This case concerns the airport zoning ordi-
nance and a subsequent amendment to it promulgated by
Towa City and Johnson County. For the purpose of this
opinion, the City and County will be jointly referred to as
“Municipality”. The Iowa City Airport has three run-
ways; however, only one of these runways affects the
Fitzgarrald property. This is runway number 6 and un-
less otherwise specifically noted in this opinion, the term
runway refers to number 6.

FACTS

The Fitzgarralds own a tract of land to the southwest
of Iowa City. To their southwest lies the Iowa City
Municipal Airport. When the Fitzgarralds purchased
their property in the late 1940s, the airport was already
in existence and operating. Besides the Plaintiffs’ home,

43a

they operate a mobile home court on the land in issue.
Prior to the airport zoning ordinance (effective 1984),
the Fitzgarralds operated Use mobile home court as a
nonconforming use to the then existing county zoning
ordinance. In the late 1970s, the Fitzgarralds applied to
the County Board of Adjustment for permission to build
a motel on their property. Their resquest was denied.
They have not attempted to make any other use of their
property since that time to the present.

In 1984, the municipality enacted the airport zoning
ordinance. It provided, among other things, for a “clear
zone’ at the end of the runway. The Fitzgarrald prop-
erty is in the clear zone. The clear zone takes into ac-
count the need for aircraft not to have obstructions in
their path while taking off or landing. There are height
restrictions in this zone based on a 34 to 1 ratio; that is,
the need to have one foot of elevation for every hori-
zontal 34 feet from the end of the runway. The 1984
ordinance placed these height restrictions on the Plain-
tiffs’ property (among others) based on a proposed run-
way extension of 1,000 feet from the old runway. This
was done in anticipation of lengthening the runway to
allow for particular instrument flight. Under the 1984 re-
strictions, the Plaintiffs’ home, as well as a number of
mobile homes in their court, were above the 34 to 1
measurement and constituted obstructions within the clear
zone. The 1,000 foot extension was never completed. An
extension of 355 feet from the existing runway was
added, and in 1990, the municipality amended its ordi-
nance to coincide with the fact that the runway would
not be extended beyond 355 feet. This reduced the num-
ber of structures on the Fitzgarrald property which were
obstructions within the clear zone. Prior to the airport
zoning ordinance, the Fitzgarrald property had been zoned
as residential. Their use of the property as a mobile
home court was allowed to continue as a nonconforming
use. There was no amortization clause in the ordinance
which required its termination following a specific period

44a

of time and the nonconforming use may continue indefi-
nitely.

Prior to the enactment of the airport zoning ordinance,
there were federal restrictions on clear zone property
(such as Fitzgarralds) as the result of Federal Aero-
nautics Administration rules and regulations. The FAA
made it clear to local authorities that local zoning ordi-
nances should be promulgated to conform with federal
regulations. Subsequently, the municipality enacted the
1984 airport zoning ordinance to do exactly that. Among
the proscribed uses to which property such as Fitzgar-
ralds could be put under the federal regulations were
uses where there would be congregations of people. The
municipality attempted to list specific uses where people
might congregate and prohibit such uses by the ordinance.
In seeking FAA approval of its ordinance, the municipai-
ity believed it needed to condemn an avigation easement
over Fitzgarralds’ land. Thus, it began condemnation
proceedings for two such easements. The Fitzgarralds
contested the condemnation proceedings, and they were
Subsequently ruled invalid by the Iowa District Court.
In the meantime, the FAA approved the municipal ordi-
nance and deemed it satisfactory without the condemna-
tion of an avigation easement. Having FAA approval, the
municipality abandoned the condemnation proceedings.

The 1984 ordinance provided for an Airport Board of
Adjustment to determine whether or not exceptions or
variances could be allowed under the ordinance. Fitz-
garralds did not use this procedure to seek any relief
from the ordinance. This is because the Fitzgarralds
have not attempted or intended to do anything differently
with their property. When the 1990 amendment was
passed, it reduced the height restrictions affecting the
Fitzgarrald property and also provided that it would not
be necessary to seek a variance or exception through a
local Board of Adjustment if the FAA gave approval of a
use landowners requested for their property. The munici-

——— 77.63 Record of hearing.

(a) Each hearing is recorded verbatim by an official
reporter under an FAA contract. The transcript, and all
exhibits, become a part of the record of the hearing.

(b) Any person may buy a copy of the transcript of
the hearing from the reporter at the price fixed for it.

(ec) The presiding officer may allow any party to with-
draw an original document if he submits authenticated
copies of it.

(d) Any person may buy, from the FAA, photostatic
copies of any exhibit by paying the copying costs.

(e) A change in the officia! transeript of a hearing
may be made only if it involves an error of substance.
Any recommendation to correct the transcript must be
filed with the presiding officer within 5 days after the
hearing closes. The presiding officer reviews each request
for a correction to the extent he considers appropriate
and shall make any revisions that he finds appropriate

as a result of that review.

144a

$ 77.65 Recommendations by parties.

Within 20 days after the mailing of the record of hear-
ing by the official reporter, or as otherwise directed by
the presiding officer, each party may submit to the pre-
siding officer five copies of his recommendations for a final
decision to be made by the Administrator.

$77.67 Final decision of the Administrator.

After reviewing the evidence relevant to the questions
of fact in a hearing, including the official transcript and
the exhibits. The Administrator resolves all these ques-
tions, based on the weight of evidence, and makes his
determination, stating the basis and reasons for it. He
then issues an appropriate order to be served on each of
the parties.

$ 77.69 Limitations on appearance and representation.

(a) A former officer or employee of the FAA may not
appear on behalf of, or represent, any party before the
FAA in connection with any matter to which this part
applies, if he considered or passed on that matter while
he was an officer or employee of the FAA.

(b) A person appearing before the FAA on any matter
to which this part applies may not, in connection with
that appearance, knowingly accept assistance from, or
Share fees with, any person who is prohibited by para-
graph (a) of this section, from appearing himself on that
matter.

(c) A former official or employee of the FAA may not,
within 6 months after he ceases to be such an officer or
employee, appear before the FAA on behalf of, or repre-
Sent, any party in connection with any proceeding that
was pending under this part while he was an officer or
employee of the FAA, unless he obtains written consent
from an appropriate officer of the FAA, based on a veri-
fied showing that he did not personally consider the mat-

145a

ter concerned or gain particular knowledge of it while he
was an officer or employee of the FAA.

Subpart F—Establishment of Antenna
Farm Areas
$ 77.71 Scope.

(a) This subpart establishes antenna farm areas in
which antenna structures may be grouped to localize their
effect on the use of navigable airspace.

(b) It is the policy of the FAA to encourage the use
of antenna farms and the single structure-multiple an-
tenna concept for radio and television towers whenever
possible. In considering proposals for establishing an-
tenna farm areas, it considers as far as possible the re
vision of aeronautical procedures and operations to ac-
commodate antenna structures that will fulfill broadcast-
ing requirements.

$ 77.73 General provisions.

(a) An antenna farm area consists of a specified geo-
graphical location with established dimensions of area
and height, where antenna towers with a common impact
on aviation may be grouped. Each such area is estab-
lished by appropriate rule making action.

(b) Each proposal for an antenna farm area is eval-
uated on the basis of its effect on the use of navigable
airspace. The views of the Federal Communications Com-
mission are requested on the effect that each establish-
ment of an antenna farm area would have on its statu-
tory responsibilities. Any views submitted by it are fully
considered before the antenna farm concerned is estab-
lished. If the Commission advises that the establishment
of any proposed antenna farm area would interfere with
its statutory responsibility, the proposed area is not
established.

(ce) The establishment of an antenna farm area is con-
sidered whenever it is proposed by:

(2) The
(3) The sponsor of
(4) Any

| Doc. No. 1882,

The FAA;

L

146a

30 FR 1839, Feb.

Federal Communications Commission:
a proposed antenna tower; or

other person having a substantial interest in
a proposed antenna tower.

10, 1965, as amended

by Amdt. 77-10, 37 FR 4705, Mar. 4, 1972]

S €G.¢0

Establishment of antenna farm areas.

The airspace areas described in the following sections

of this subpart are established as antenna farm areas.

147a

IN THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE STATE OF IOWA

No. 90-1845

As
~

JEAN A. FITZGARRALD and PHYLLIS FITZGARRALD.
Plaintiffs-A ppellants,

VS.

THE CITy OF IOWA City, Iowa, and
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA,
Defendants-A ppellees.

APPLICATION FOR LIMITED REMAND
| Filed Mar. 31, 1992]

Plaintiffs-Appellants make application to the Court for
limited remand to the Trial Court on the basis of newly
acquired evidence and state:

|
'

The decision of the Trial Court was filed Novem-
ber 1, 1990, from which Plaintiffs-Appellants appealed
to the Supreme Court of Iowa.

2. The case was transferred to the Iowa Court of
Appeals as Docket No. 1-436 90-1845.

3. The decision of the Iowa Court of Appeals was

filed December 31, 1991.

1. Plaintiffs-Appellants and Defendants-Appellees filed
for further review before the Supreme Court of Iowa
which was granted by order entered February 28, 1992.

5. Oral argument was granted by the Supreme Court
fowa and has been set for April 6, 1992.

woe
-

lita

6. Although Plaintiffs-Appellants claim and the Iowa
Court of Appeals found that a physical taking had oc-
curred, one of the issues raised by Defendants-Appellees
and specified by the lowa Court of Appeals involves the
exhaustion of administrative remedies.

7. Under the terms and conditions of the “Johnson
County lowa City Airport Zoning Ordinance” no special
exception or variance from the terms of the ordinance can
be granted without the prior approval of the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA).

8. Counsel for Plaintiffs-Appellants has attempted on
several occasions to ascertain whether an application for
variance or special exception would be entertained and
considered by FAA, and a response was finally received
from FAA on March 26, 1992, a copy of which is
attached hereto and made a part hereof by this reference.

9. Considering the elevation of the terrain of the
property belonging to Plaintiffs-Appellants as shown by
the exhibits and testimony in this case, it is obvious that
construction of strutcures on the greater portion of
Plaintiffs-Appellants’ property would penetrate the ap-
proach slope and would be deemed a hazard by the FAA
which would proceed to prevent the construction.

10. The referral of this matter to the Trial Court
on the basis of a limited remand would enable Plaintiffs-
Appellants to present evidence concerning the futility of
applying for permission to construct any structure which
would penetrate the approach slope established by the
airport ordinance and the exhaustion of administrative
remedies, therefore, would not be required.

By reason of the foregoing, Plaintiffs-Appellants ask
that this matter be remanded to the Trial Court for
consideration of evidence pertaining to any application by
Plaintiffs-Appellants for a special exception or variance
based upon the evidence which has been produced at trial
showing the expected height of houses and commercial
buildings.

149a

Dated this 30th day of March, 1992.

MEARDON, SUEPPEL, DOWNER
& HAYES

By ‘s’ William L. Meardon
WILLIAM L. MEARDON
122 South Linn Street
lowa City, lowa 52240
Telephone: 319/338-9222

Attorneys for Appellants

L50a

U.S. DEPARTMENT Central Region
OF TRANSPORTATION — lowa, Kunsas,
FEDERAL AVIATION Missouri, Nebraska
ADMINISTRATION
601 I. 12th Street
Mar. 24, 1992 Kansas City, Missouri 64106

Meardon, Sueppel, Downer & Hayes
ATTN: Mr. William L. Meardon
1228. Linn Street

lowa City, [A 52240

Dear Mr. Meardon:

This is in sponse to your letter, dated December 26,
199], concerning the development of property around and
adjacent to the Iowa City Municipal Airport.

The lowa City Airport is a public use airport and is
protected by Federal Aviation Regulations to insure max-
imum safety to air navigation.

Part 77 of the Federal Aviation Regulations specifically
deals with any obstructions in the approach sie ne or any
airport imaginary surface. If we received a proposal
be located in the approach trapezoid and it exceeded the
34:1 slope, we would determine it to be a hazard to air
hav.gation and proceed with steps necessary to prevent
its construction,

The power line located along the south side of Highway
1 can either be buried or relocated outside the trapezoid.
Under no circumstances would we consider the power line

as acceptable shielding for other structures.

We would be happy to review any construction your

clients proposed, as long as they provide us latitude
longtitude, height of structures, and rensonable ground
elevations. We would not require uny extensive engi-
neering studies, If our review indicated a maximum
height not to exceed, wi would inform the Hponsor anc
include it as a condition of the determination.

t ‘ ‘ ] f° t > cot ° 4 4 ‘ +
If we can be of further assi ance, feel free to contact
Kathy Randolph, ACE-520¢, at (816) 4

Sincerely,

Terry Bolerjack

TERRY BOLERJACI

Acting Manager, SS tem Manavement Branch

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/brief%3Amicro_IA40386011_2238%3A1. Public record. Not legal advice.
