Sewer Line Spawns Takings Claim

Several landowners entered into an easement agreement with the City of Celina so the City could build a sewer to a local high school.  Among other things, the City agreed to replace the top soil along the easement after the sewer was installed.  When the original top soil was not replaced, the landowners sued for inverse condemnation.  The Court of Appeals found that the agreement’s top soil provision was not intended to act as a condition subsequent.  Because the takings claim was based on the landowners assertion that breach of a condition subsequent voided the easement, the Court found that the trial court erred in denying the City’s plea to the jurisdiction.

City of Celina v. Dickerson