(1) The board of directors may at any time when necessary to fulfill the objects for which the district was created alter or add to the official plan, and when such alterations or additions are formally approved by the board and by the court and are filed with the secretary, they shall become part of the official plan for all purposes of articles 1 to 8 of this title. Where such alterations or additions in the judgment of the court neither materially modify the general character of the work, nor materially increase resulting damages for which the board is not able to make amicable settlement, nor increase the total cost more than ten percent above that estimated in the official plan, no action other than a resolution of the board of directors shall be necessary for the approval of such alterations or additions. In case the proposed alterations or additions materially modify the general character of the work, or materially modify the resulting damages, or materially reduce the benefits for which the board is not able to make amicable settlement, or materially increase the benefits in such a manner as to require a new appraisal, or increase the total cost more than ten percent above that estimated in the official plan, the court shall direct the board of appraisers, which may be the original board, or a new board appointed by the court on petition of the board of directors, to appraise the property to be taken, benefited, or damaged by the proposed alterations or additions.
(2) Upon the completion of the report by the board of appraisers, notice shall be given and a hearing had on its report in the same manner as in the case of the original report of the board of appraisers, and the same right of appeal to a jury shall exist; but where only a few landowners are affected, the clerk of the court may, on order of the court, if found to be more economical and convenient, give personal notice of the pendency of the report of said appraisers instead of notice by publication; and if the only question at issue is additional damages or reduction of benefits to property due to modifications in or additions to the official plan, the board of directors may, if practicable, make settlements with the owners of the property damaged instead of having appraisals made by the board of appraisers. In case such settlements are made, notice and hearing need not be had. After district bonds are sold, as provided in articles 1 to 8 of this title, in order that their security may not be impaired, no reduction shall be made in the amount of uncontested benefits appraised or costs assessed against any property in the district; but in lieu of any reduction in assessment, if by reason of a modification in or addition to the official plan an excessive assessment is made under the provisions of section 375-104, the excess shall be paid to the property owner in cash. This provision shall apply to all changes in appraisals under articles 1 to 8 of this title.
Source: L. 22: p. 40, § 37. C.L. § 9551. CSA: C. 138, § 162. CRS 53: § 30-4-13. C.R.S. 1963: § 29-4-13.