Mindy Casso
LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – City leaders are reflecting on the Gubagreen property case after a judge forced the city to purchase the property for $6 million. The money came from taxpayer funds in the city’s reserve fund following a court ruling on a targeted zoning change.
The case has prompted reflection from elected officials about legal advice, property rights and future planning decisions.
City Councilmember Dr. Tyler King said the outcome was not ideal but represented the best available choice given the circumstances.
“It’s not the best use of the city’s money but at the end of the day, we got ourselves into this legal dilemma and ultimately, we went with the least bad option available,” King said.
King said the experience has changed his approach to legal counsel on similar issues.
“We trusted our legal counsel on this, and moving forward, if something like this ever comes up again, I know I’m going to have my reservations about legal advice on this type of issue and I will request outside legal counsel in the future,” King said.
King emphasized the importance of property rights in future city decisions.
“At the end of the day, the State of Texas puts a lot of value on property rights and we can’t as a city in general just look at a property and say ‘I don’t like that that’s being built there, I think we should…
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