When claims for damages are filed under section 727.18 of the Revised Code and the legislative authority of the municipal corporation determines in the ordinance adopted under section 727.23 of the Revised Code that the damages shall be assessed before commencing such improvement, the municipal corporation shall, within ten days after the passage of the ordinance to proceed with the improvement under section 727.23 of the Revised Code, make a written application for a jury to the court of common pleas, or a judge thereof in vacation, or to the probate court of the county in which the municipal corporation or the larger area of it is situated. The court shall direct the summoning of a jury in the manner provided by section 163.10 of the Revised Code, and shall fix the time and place for the inquiry and the assessment of such damages, which inquiry and the assessments shall be confined to such claims.