The City of Rowlett’s (“the City’s”) authority to seize private property through eminent domain is strictly limited by the Texas Constitution and Texas law. Nevertheless, the City illegally condemned and seized a private driveway belonging to Petitioner KMS Retail Rowlett, LP F/K/A KMS Retail Huntsville, LP (“KMS”) for the sole benefit of a private developer that sought easier access to its proposed commercial site. Such taking of private property for a non-public use violates the private property protections enshrined in the Texas Constitution and Texas statutes. The Appellate court’s opinion to the contrary in this matter must be reversed.
Property Rights
Where the Sidewalk Ends, Property Rights Don’t
In Shel Silverstein’s bestselling book, “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” readers journey through a dizzying fictional tale in which boys are turned into television sets and diamonds grow in gardens. But for Nashville residents Jim Knight and Jason Mayes, their dizzying bureaucratic journey of attempting to develop their property was terrifyingly real. The story begins with...
April 13, 2022