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Real Property
Inverse Condemnation
Loss of Goodwill

Maureen Capielo Gates v. San Clemente Redevelopment Agency

Published: Nov. 22, 2001 | Result Date: Oct. 24, 2001 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 1200029707 Arbitration –  $0

Court

Case Not Filed


Attorneys

Claimant

William Driscoll


Respondent

Douglas J. Dennington
(Rutan & Tucker LLP)


Facts

Since the mid-1980s, the claimant had operated a wedding business at the Casa Romantica, a
1920s Spanish colonial-style home built by the founder of San Clemente, Ole Hanson,
overlooking the San Clemente Pier and the Pacific Ocean. The respondent purchased the
property in 1989 in order to prevent the property from being converted into a condominium
complex and to preserve the historic and architecturally significant buildings for the public. At the
time the respondent purchased the property, the claimantÆs two-year contract had less than a
year to expire. While the respondent was considering how best to preserve the property for the
public, the respondent permitted the claimant to continue operating her business until May 15,
2000. At that time, the respondent began to convert the property into a cultural and arts center.

Settlement Discussions

The parties had no serious settlement discussions.

Damages

Although the parties did not exchange valuation data prior to the liability phase of the arbitration, the claimant claimed damages in excess of $750,000.

Other Information

<A>An arbitration was held before retired judge Robert Thomas of JAMS.</A>


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