Two condemnation rulings

Two property takings cases were decided this morning in an Oconee courtroom by rulings of Resident Circuit Judge Scott Sprouse.  Each one involves only small amounts of land, but land that the DOT deems is needed to improve Fair Play’s tricky confluence of SC 24, 59, and 182.  Sprouse approved $22,038 as just compensation for Edgar Alexander and his late wife, Sandra Alexander, for a little less than one quarter of an acre along SC 182.  In a second ruling, the judge decided that $400 is just compensation for Clifton Childers, an out-of-state resident, for 453 square feet along SC 24.  The rulings came after the court heard from two witnesses:  SCDOT right-of-way agent Mike Kelly and licensed appraiser Bruce DeHaven, working for the DOT.  Because of the possibility that there could be some unknown heirs, the compensation amounts will be deposited with the clerk to court for a period in which an heir may step forward.  However, attorney Andrew Holliday, representing his part in the case, told the judge that none of the unknown heirs had contacted him after the DOT published legal notices announcing condemnation proceedings.