Georgetown, Texas 78626-3832
Management Phone: 512-917-1739
Williamson County Residents Terminate Family Activity Site
Georgetown, TX – 11/26/2010
Last week 277th District Court Judge Ken Anderson ruled on a plaintiff's motion for summary judgment in a deed restrictions lawsuit related to a residential property in the Georgetown Extra Territorial Jurisdiction of Williamson County. Several neighbors had filed against the operation of San Gabriel’s Horn owned by Dennis Ray Palla (Ray) as a rental property for family events. The judge issued an order to shutdown the business within 60 days and granted the plaintiff's attorney fees and damages totaling some $50,000.00.
Management Phone: 512-917-1739
Williamson County Residents Terminate Family Activity Site
Georgetown, TX – 11/26/2010
Last week 277th District Court Judge Ken Anderson ruled on a plaintiff's motion for summary judgment in a deed restrictions lawsuit related to a residential property in the Georgetown Extra Territorial Jurisdiction of Williamson County. Several neighbors had filed against the operation of San Gabriel’s Horn owned by Dennis Ray Palla (Ray) as a rental property for family events. The judge issued an order to shutdown the business within 60 days and granted the plaintiff's attorney fees and damages totaling some $50,000.00.
The ruling involves some 5 acres along the south side of the San Gabriel River near the new campus of Georgetown High School, TX Toll 130 and TX 29 (University Avenue). The court filing was headed-up individually by the elected officials of a newly formed North Berry Lane Homeowners’ Association: President, Dr. Murray Snook and his wife Rebecca; Vice-President, Mary Goertz and husband Ralph; and Secretary, Christopher Jenkins and wife Sara. This HOA was formed after Palla purchased his homestead property at 1201 Berry Lane in November of 2007. Other plaintiffs are Ruth Roberts and Don Snell (who operate a successful art gallery from their Berry Lane home) and Rick Dinsmore. All are residents of what is informally known as the North Berry Lane subdivision, which was formed in the early 1980s.
Defendant Palla had a solemn response to the court ruling: “As you may presume, I am very disappointed in the court decision. I'm especially disappointed that I was never even allowed to speak or present evidence that is supported by legal statutes as well as by past court judgments in similar cases. I'm also frustrated that a jury was not allowed to hear the case, as I still believe that the extenuating circumstances of how this property was sold to me and the fact that other businesses continue to be operating in the neighborhood are compelling evidence. Going forward, we're not certain about choices for appeal or retrial; however we are considering all of our options and will abide by the court ruling until those options are realized and/or placed before the court.”
San Gabriel’s Horn has enjoyed a mutually successful partnership and internet web link with the Georgetown Visitors Bureau, the City of Georgetown website, as well as many other businesses, tourist attractions, and institutions, and has played a positive role in the vital promotion of the community to our visitors and guests. SGH is a 2nd year accredited member of the Better Business Bureau and member of Nuptial Essentials – Association of Wedding Professionals. The Horn has been host to church groups, exchange students from Hong Kong China, an array of families and friends, and has helped tie-the-knot for many happy couples. Through its three-year operation the Horn has been proud and humbled to participate in so many diverse lives and pleased to add to the Williamson County tax roll, while bringing families of great values and vast distances together in Georgetown. We salute the local caterers, shops, markets, restaurants, hotels, motels, churches, parks, festivals, merchants and individuals who have served our patrons to satiate their palates as well as nurture their spirits for a quality life. It really is the great people that make Georgetown unique and distinct in the world. During our tenure we have cherished the excellent customer reviews and celebrate the fact that we have been fortunate to know each individual along the way. We will be honoring all of our reservations through January 8, 2011 and working closely with those currently booked after that date to return deposits and assist in finding suitable alternative venues and lodging. We regret the inconvenience this cessation of operation will impose on all of our old and new friends. We hope that we can somehow return again in the future.
