What better tool?

Editor:

A puzzling letter to the editor in The Star. “Just say ‘no’ to development.” What better tool might they need?” asks the writer. Well, um, the law.

Under current state law, Commissioners have no legal basis to deny a development request. If they do, the developer can sue them … and the developer will win, and the county will be out lots of money in legal fees. One reason we need to elect new legislators that will give counties more control over development in unincorporated areas.

As a matter of fact, Commissioner Elkins worked on legislation to present to the state legislature to regain some local control. It failed to pass, but Elkins now has a better understanding of how to approach the state and is redrafting his legislation.

–Richard Caldwell, Boerne