HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 2005-22 ORDINANCE NO.2005-22
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD,TEXAS,ADOPTING A POLICY DESIGNED TO LIMIT
THE CITY'S POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN, AS IT APPLIES TO
ACQUISITIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, EXCEPT IN EXTREME CASES WHERE PUBLIC
HEALTH AND WELFARE ARE AT RISK, AND THEN ONLY UPON
THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF 6 MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL; AND
CONTAIIVING OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO T�IE SUBJECT.
WHEREAS, recent developments have brought to the attention of the City Council and
the general public that certain municipalities within Texas and elsewhere have chosen to exercise
the power of eminent domain to acquire property for the purposes of economic development; and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby finds and determines that the history and heritage
of Friendswood, from its beginnings as a Quaker community until the present, has jealously
guarded the sanctity of family and the preservation of its character as a City that places family
values as a highest priority, and that the taking of residential properties for economic
development purposes is particularly repugnant to such heritage; and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby further finds and determines that the taking of
property for the purpose of economic development should be exercised only in those extreme
and rare circumstances where public health and welfare are genuinely at risk; and
WHEREAS, in order to assure the citizenry that the City of Friendswood will not
jeopardize historical community values in the name of economic development, the City Council
deems it necessary and appropriate to adopt a policy regarding the use of such power, and to
begin a process to implement a permanent limitation thereof; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD,
STATE OF TEXAS:
Section 1. The facts and matters set forth in the preamble of this Ordinance are
hereby found to be true and correct.
Section 2. The City Council hereby adopts a policy to limit its use of eminent domain
for the purposes of acquiring property for economic development purposes, except in extreme
cases where public health and welfare are genuinely at risk, and then only upon the affirmative
vote of 6 members of City Council.
Section 3. The City Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to provide a copy of
this Ordinance to the next Charter Review Commission of the City for consideration of
appropriate Charter amendments in accordance herewith.
PASSED AND APPROVED on first reading this 25th day of July ,2005.
PASSED,APPROVED,and ADOPTED on second and final reading this 15tb day
of Au�ust,2005.
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
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mball W. Brizendine
Mayor
ATTEST:
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Deloris McKenzie, TRMC * *
City Secretary a�
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