Lawsuit Settled - 77 Foot Cross To Be Raised In Kerrville Overlooking IH-10
Released
on: March 08, 2010, 5:29 am
Author:
The Coming King Foundation
Industry: Non Profit
The Coming King Foundation (TCKF), a Texas nonprofit
reached a settlement Monday with Mesa Vista landowners, settling a
15-month property dispute allowing TCKF to build a first class
Sculpture Prayer Garden with a 77-foot cross to be raised on the TCKF’s
lot.
Kerrville, Texas — March 8th, 2010 -- A last-minute settlement agreement was
presented to State District Judge Keith Williams on Monday, March 1st, as trial was
about to get underway in the lawsuit brought by neighboring landowners against The
Coming King Foundation (TCKF), a Texas nonprofit arts organization. TCKF plans to
build a first class Sculpture Prayer Garden on 23 acres overlooking IH-10 and
Highway 16, highlighted by the cross on top of a hill. Mesa Vista landowners suit
prohibited the raising of the cross within the prayer garden.
The settlement agreement reached Monday allows the cross to be raised as planned
putting an end to the 15-month property dispute and bringing peaceful a resolution
and healing to this Texas Hill Country community.
Last month the Mesa Vista landowners lost their bid to have the case dismissed in
their favor and Judge Williams ordered the trial to proceed on March 1st. Shortly
thereafter, settlement negotiations were initiated by the landowners, which for the
first time included an agreement to allow the cross to be raised on TCKF’s lot.“Once that point was conceded, both sides moved quickly to resolve differences and
eventually agreed to a compromise”, said Kevin Young, attorney for TCKF. “We’re
thankful that both sides could put away their swords and solve this in a Christian
manner,” said Fern Lancaster, TCKF board member and treasurer.
“The Coming King Foundation will realize its vision of a cross and sculpture garden
and the Mesa Vista residents will realize their goal of maintaining the privacy of
their neighborhood,” said Mesa Vista homeowners’ attorney, Richard Mosty, in a
prepared statement.
As part of the settlement, The Coming King Foundation will construct a solid fence
on the site where the $2M, 70-ton cross will be located. The settlement also allows
for lighting of the cross that is non-intrusive for residents of the subdivision and
limited private access to the cross from Mesa Vista Lane, keeping the main entrance
to the Garden on IH-10. In addition, TCKF will also pay the Mesa Vista neighbors
$25,000 over the next several months as part of the settlement. Each side is
responsible for paying its own attorney’s fees and legal expenses.
When asked whether he had won the case because the cross will go up, David Brock,
co-counsel for TCKF said, “Everybody won. This agreement is respectful of
everyone’s property rights and is better than a trial victory for either side.” TCKF
board member and Vice President, Jim McKnight, added, “A peaceful resolution has
been our desire and prayer since the lawsuit was filed. This is a great day for our
community and now we can move forward.”
TCKF plans to raise the cross and complete the Garden as soon as sufficient funds
are available. “Although we have incurred significant expense in our legal defense,”
said TCKF board member and President Max Greiner Jr., “we are confident that God
pays for what He ordains, and we invite our community, neighbors, friends and the
greater Christian community to unite in support around this God-given vision and
Sculpture Prayer Garden.”
About The Coming King Foundation (TCKF):
To learn more about TCKF or the Garden and giant cross, visit their website at
http://www.TheComingKingFoundation.org or call 830-367-7874.
Contact Details:
The Coming King Foundation
Max Greiner Jr.
P.O. Box 290555
Kerrville, TX 78029-0555
(830) 367-7874
2025
