66.1313 Urban redevelopment; condemnation for.

(1) Condemnation proceedings for a redevelopment corporation shall be initiated by a petition to the city to institute proceedings to acquire for the redevelopment corporation any real property in the development area. The petition shall be granted or rejected by the local governing body, and the resolution or resolutions granting the petition shall require that the redevelopment corporation pay the city all sums expended or required to be expended by the city in the acquisition of the real property, or for any real property to be conveyed to the corporation by the city in connection with the plan, and the time of payment and manner of securing payment, and may require that the city receive, before proceeding with the acquisition of the real property, such assurances as to payment or reimbursement by the redevelopment corporation, or otherwise, as the city deems advisable. Upon the passage of a resolution by the local governing body granting the petition, the redevelopment corporation shall make 3 copies of surveys or maps of the real property described in the petition, one of which shall be filed in the office of the redevelopment corporation, one in the office of the city attorney of the city, and one in the office in which instruments affecting real property in the county are recorded. The filing of copies of surveys or maps constitutes acceptance by the redevelopment corporation of the terms and conditions contained in the resolution. The city may conduct condemnation proceedings either under ch. 32 or under other laws applicable to the city. When title to real property vests in the city, it shall convey or lease the real property, with any other real property to be conveyed or leased to the redevelopment corporation by the city in connection with the redevelopment plan, to the redevelopment corporation upon payment by the redevelopment corporation of the sums and the giving of the security required by the resolution granting the petition.

(2) The following provisions apply to any proceedings for the assessment of compensation and damages for real property in a development area taken or to be taken by condemnation for a redevelopment corporation:

(a) For the purpose of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, the award of compensation may not be increased by reason of any increase in the value of the real property caused by the assembly, clearance or reconstruction, or proposed assembly, clearance or reconstruction for the purposes of ss. 66.1301 to 66.1329, of the real property in the development area. No allowance may be made for improvements begun on real property after notice to the owner of the property of the institution of the proceedings to condemn the property.

(b) Evidence is admissible that is relevant to the insanitary, unsafe or substandard condition of the premises, or of their illegal use, or the enhancement of rentals from illegal use, and the evidence may be considered in fixing the compensation to be paid, notwithstanding that no steps to remedy or abate the conditions have been taken by the department or officers having jurisdiction. If a violation order is on file against the premises in the department, it constitutes prima facie evidence of the existence of the condition specified in the order.

(c) If real property in the development area which is to be acquired by condemnation has, before acquisition, been devoted to another public use, it may be acquired provided that no real property belonging to the city or to any other governmental body, or agency or instrumentality of the city or other governmental body, corporate or otherwise, may be acquired without its consent. No real property belonging to a public utility corporation may be acquired without the approval of the public service commission or other officer or tribunal having regulatory power over the corporation.

(d) Upon the trial a statement, affidavit, deposition, report, transcript of testimony in an action or proceeding, or appraisal made or given by any owner or prior owner of the premises taken, or by any person on the owner's or prior owner's behalf, to any court, governmental bureau, department or agency respecting the value of the real property for tax purposes, is relevant, material and competent upon the issue of value of damage and is admissible on direct examination.

(e) In this section, “ owner" includes a person having an estate, interest or easement in the real property to be acquired or a lien, charge or encumbrance on the real property.

History: 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 225; 1999 a. 150 s. 416; Stats. 1999 s. 66.1313.