Miller Quoted in Columbus Business First Story Titled “Pataskala's Residential Development Ban Prompts Lawsuit”

Joe Miller, a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and chair of the firm’s litigation practice, was quoted in a Columbus Business First story regarding the City of Pataskala’s moratorium on residential development.  According to the story, a developer, Southgate Company LP, which is represented by Vorys, has filed a suit against the city claiming that the city has deprived the company of its clear legal right to pursue a planned 155-home project.

The story states:

“‘Southgate should not have had to resort to litigation to protect its private property rights. The city has ignored its code and established zoning,’ Joe Miller, Southgate's attorney, said via email. ‘We are simply asking the court to vindicate Southgate’s right to develop its property consistent with the prior approvals from the city. The city should honor those prior commitments, rather than waste taxpayer resources on legal fees and meritless defenses.’

The developer is seeking a writ of mandamus compelling the city to conduct the necessary public hearings on the plan and necessary approvals as well as unspecified damages and attorney fees. It alleges that the city's code doesn't state an expiration date for developments and that its application shouldn't be subject to the moratorium because its application was submitted before the moratorium went into effect.”

To read the entire story, click here. (Subscription may be required).