NEWS

THE CITY FORCES ONE OF COLLEYVILLE'S PIONEER FAMILIES TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY
by Kimberly Connor

Tuesday, May 1, 2001
Click on Photos to Enlarge

Mr. & Mrs. D. B. Couch

THE CITY FORCES ONE OF COLLEYVILLE'S PIONEER FAMILIES TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY…by Kimberly Connor 

Despite the fact the Couch family continued to tell the city they had no interest in selling, or giving, their property to the city, they were contacted continually by elected officials and employees of the city. However, the city was now indicating that the property was not needed for a park or for immediate realignment of Pleasant Run, but for "utilities" for the Villages of Colleyville project.

On June 26, 2000 Mr. Couch received a letter from the City Attorney of Colleyville stating "The time for beginning the construction of the project is approaching and therefore, the City is required either to immediately acquire the property by agreement or begin condemnation proceedings." SEE LETTER 

The ongoing pressure from the city on the elderly Couchs,  resulted in them hiring  an attorney. The attorney wrote the city requesting that the Couchs receive no further direct contact.  However, Mrs. Couch said she was contacted again by Councilman Feldman, who explained she was "returning Mrs. Couch's call."  SEE LETTER

As the City of Colleyville continued to pursue purchasing the Couch property, their attorney once again wrote the city saying, in part, "The Couchs are in their late eighties, have been residents of the City of Colleyville since the thirties, and feel that they are being bullied and harassed by their City and the City's attorney." SEE LETTER 

The Couchs indicated another unusual phenomenon happened during this period. They received the Tarrant County Tax District's appraisal on their property. The value was listed at $195,240. Then the Appraisal District down valued the property to $118,000.  Upon checking with the district about the unusual change, Mrs. Couch said she was informed that the City of Colleyville had approached the Appraisal District and informed them a mistake had been made.  Mrs. Couch said that she or her husband did not contest the amount and, in fact, were prepared to pay the taxes at the assessed $195,000 plus.

While continuing to ask the city to honor their wishes, the Couchs, are served a Petition in Condemnation on July 27, 2000. SEE CONDEMNATION FILING BY CITY AGAINST THE COUCHS

Scott Steinbach, Attorney for the Couchs, responds to the City of Colleyville on July 28, 2000 stating, "The City's condemnation of the Couchs' property is causing them great stress and anguish. As you are aware, the Couchs are in their late eighties and Mrs. Couch is terminally ill."  The attorney's letter stated there was a lease on the property that had to be dealt with and requested a settlement of $160,000. SEE LETTER

The City of Colleyville rejected the offer and the Couch family  finally gave in and sold the property to the city for $129,800, rather than incur more attorney fees.

The Couchs now question why the City needed to move in such an expedient manner to obtain the property by condemnation. The family stated on several occasions their willingness to make any changes necessary to the building, if the city would allow them to maintain ownership of their property. The family offered to change the exterior of the building to match The Villages. However, the city stated the property was not part of The Villages.  

Mr. & Mrs. Couch expressed their deep sentimental attachment to the property and requested the City honor their wishes to at least obtain certain physical items from the property when it was demolished.  For example, they had requested a door knob that had been on the building from the day it was built.

Mrs. Couch said she was surprised to receive a letter from the City of Colleyville on December 15, 2000 informing her that Mr. Richard Myers was now leasing the building and their letter requesting the items was sent to him. SEE LETTER

Under the Texas Open Records Act, LNO obtained a letter dated October 17, 2000 from Realty Capital Corporation, signed by Richard Myers.  The letter to Bob Stripling, City Manager offers to lease the building for a "nominal fee".  SEE LETTER  The City of Colleyville provided no copies of a response to this letter from Mr. Stripling under the Act request.

Also, under the Act, LNO obtained a copy of the lease between the city and Village Management, LTD.  The lease signed by Mayor Donna Arp and Richard Myers is dated January 22, 2001.  The terms of the lease, under Article 2.01 states, "Lessee agrees to pay to Lessor the sum of $120.00 as rent for the term of the lease, payable in equal monthly installments of $10.00 per month" SEE FRONT SHEET WITH TERMS AND SIGNATURE PAGE

The Couchs acknowledged that money was not the primary motivation to keep the property, but rather their interest in seeing the land stay in their family.  They did acknowledge they were well aware of the Villages of Colleyville project and that they thought their property could increase in value substantially.  

LNO has requested all additional documents and correspondence regarding this property and any leases negotiated with the City and the Developer.  To date, LNO has not received those documents.  Mayor Arp said that Councilman Taylor was the liaison in this matter.  Councilman Taylor stated that he visited with the Couchs only to request the donation of the property, however that the Mayor had received total authority to negotiate matters to do with the Villages by City Council Resolution. SEE RESOLUTION

A disappointed Mrs. Couch said she simply could not believe the city would treat them in this manner.  She said they are simply glad it is over, however, it was going to be hard to explain to her grandson how the city her family helped pioneer, turned its back on them.

Copyright LNO 2001 - All Rights Reserved