Received a Caltrans Offer Along Hwy 49 Between Combie Rd and Alta Sierra?

Do not assume the offer fully accounts for the impact to your property.

Sierra Nevada Appraisal Group is providing free preliminary document reviews for property owners affected by the Caltrans Hwy 49 project between Combie Road and Alta Sierra. If Caltrans has contacted you about acquiring part of your property, a temporary construction easement, a permanent easement, or other property rights, an independent appraisal may help you evaluate whether the offer reflects just compensation.

Independent appraisal reimbursement may be available. California Code of Civil Procedure §1263.025 may require reimbursement of the reasonable cost of an independent appraisal, up to $5,000, when the statutory requirements are met.

Before accepting or responding to a Caltrans offer, have the documents reviewed by an independent appraiser.

Independent Appraisal Review for Affected Property Owners

Caltrans’ valuation process is prepared for the agency’s acquisition purposes. Property owners should not assume the agency’s offer fully accounts for the value of the property rights being acquired or the effect on the remaining property.

Sierra Nevada Appraisal Group provides independent, objective appraisal services for property owners, attorneys, fiduciaries, and public-agency-related valuation matters throughout Northern California. Our role is to provide a credible valuation analysis so the property owner can make a more informed decision.

Independent Appraisal Reimbursement Available

California Code of Civil Procedure §1263.025 addresses reimbursement for an independent appraisal ordered by a property owner when a public entity offers to purchase property under threat of eminent domain.

In many cases, the public entity must offer to pay the reasonable cost of an independent appraisal, up to $5,000.

Read California Code of Civil Procedure §1263.025

For most residential properties affected by this corridor, our appraisal fee is expected to be at or below the $5,000 reimbursement amount, depending on the scope of work and complexity of the assignment.

This reimbursement provision is an important protection for property owners. It allows an owner to obtain an independent valuation review rather than relying solely on the agency’s offer.

About the Hwy 49 Combie Road to Alta Sierra Project

The Caltrans project is proposed along Highway 49 in Nevada County, generally between Wolf Road / Combie Road and the Alta Sierra area. The project includes shoulder widening, construction of a continuous two-way left-turn lane, roadway realignment, drainage improvements, bridge widening at South Wolf Creek, retaining walls, lighting and signage relocation, traffic management system elements, guardrail replacement, and related roadside improvements.

For nearby property owners, the valuation issue may involve more than the land area shown on a right-of-way map. Depending on the property, the analysis may also involve access, driveway configuration, temporary construction easements, drainage, retaining walls, grading, landscaping, privacy, and the marketability of the remaining property after the project is completed.

Even where a public project may serve an important transportation or safety purpose, the property owner is still entitled to evaluate whether the compensation offered reflects the property rights being acquired and the impact on the remainder property.

Why the Caltrans Offer Should Be Reviewed

A public agency offer may appear straightforward, but partial acquisitions and easement assignments can involve several valuation issues. The offer may address the land or easement area being acquired, but the remaining property may also be affected.

An independent appraisal may consider issues such as:

Land area being acquired
Temporary construction easements
Permanent easements
Driveway or access changes
Road proximity
Retaining walls
Grading
Drainage changes
Tree or landscaping removal
Parking or site utility
Privacy impacts
Construction disruption
Marketability of the remaining property

This does not mean the Caltrans offer is necessarily incorrect. It means the offer should be independently evaluated before the owner assumes it is complete.

Free Preliminary Document Review

Sierra Nevada Appraisal Group is offering a free preliminary review of Caltrans documents for affected property owners along the Hwy 49 Combie Road to Alta Sierra corridor.

You may submit:

• Caltrans offer letter

• Appraisal summary

• Right-of-way map

• Temporary construction easement

• Permanent easement

• Partial acquisition documents

• Acquisition agreement

• Construction notices

• Deadline or response-date correspondence

• Any marked exhibit showing the area to be acquired or affected

• Letters, emails, or other correspondence from Caltrans or its right-of-way representatives

• Photographs or notes showing areas of concern, including access, driveway, drainage, landscaping, trees, fencing, parking, retaining walls, or construction-related impacts

After reviewing the documents, we will let you know whether an independent appraisal appears appropriate and provide a fee quote. No appraisal engagement is created unless a separate written agreement is signed.

What Happens After You Submit the Form

1. We review the documents you provide.

2. We identify the apparent property rights being acquired or affected.

3. We consider whether an independent appraisal appears appropriate.

4. We follow up with questions or a proposed scope of work.

5. If you choose to proceed, a written engagement agreement will be prepared.

The preliminary review is intended to help determine whether an appraisal is warranted. It is not a substitute for legal advice, and it does not determine your legal rights or deadlines.

Request a Free Document Review

If you have received a Caltrans offer, right-of-way map, easement request, appraisal summary, or acquisition document, you may submit it for preliminary review below.