ORS 35.385: Public purpose use required of condemner; right of repurchase; specification of duration of public purpose use; effect.

(1) If real property is acquired by a condemner by agreement with the owner of such property after the adoption of a resolution or ordinance under ORS 35.235 (1) for the acquisition of the property but before entry of a judgment in a condemnation action under ORS 35.245, the condemner and the owner shall: (a) Specify in such agreement for the real property a reasonable period within which the real property must be used by the condemner for a public purpose or specify a 10-year period for such use and provide that the right of repurchase of the real property or any portion thereof may be exercised as provided in ORS 35.385 to 35.415; or (b) Specify that the right of repurchase of the real property has been waived by the owner and, in such case, not specify a period within which the real property must be used by the condemner for a public purpose. (2) If real property is acquired by a condemner under this chapter by judgment given in a condemnation action under ORS 35.325, the court shall: (a) Specify in the judgment a reasonable period within which the real property must be used by the condemner for a public purpose or specify a 10-year period, and provide that the right of repurchase may be exercised with respect to the real property as provided in ORS 35.385 to 35.415; or (b) Specify that the right of repurchase of the real property has been waived by the owner and, in such case, not specify a period within which the real property must be used by the condemner for a public purpose. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a) of this section, the resolution or ordinance of the condemner is presumptive evidence that the period of time that is proposed by the condemner is a reasonable period in which the real property must be used by the condemner for a public purpose; provided, however, that if the resolution or ordinance specifies a 10-year period or less, neither the owner nor a designated beneficiary of the owner can contest the reasonableness of the period specified. (4) If real property is acquired by a condemner by agreement with the owner as described in subsection (1) of this section, and the agreement does not contain one of the provisions required by subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section, the owner may repurchase the property, or any portion of the property, in the manner provided by ORS 35.385 to 35.415 if: (a) Ten years have expired since the date of the transfer of the property; and (b) The condemner has not used the property for a public purpose. (5) Subsection (4) of this section does not apply to real property acquired by a condemner for the purpose of constructing, improving or maintaining a transportation facility or system. [1973 c.720 §2; 2011 c.426 §1]