Three Midland plaintiffs, Lynda Jackson, Johnathon Rojo, and Kristi Alldredge, have filed a lawsuit against the City of Midland and the Midland Independent School District (MISD) on Sept. 30. The plaintiffs claim that the defendants have not followed proper procedures in planning a new school on a property zoned exclusively for recreational use. The property, located at 1600 East Wadley Avenue, is home to the historic Ranchland Hills Golf Club.
The plaintiffs claim that the continuity of the Ranchland Hills Golf Club, established in 1949, has been maintained through community support and the enactment of Ordinance 6855 by the Midland City Council in 1988. The ordinance designates the property for exclusive use as a private membership recreational club. They argue that MISD’s plan to build a school on the site violates the ordinance and ignores alternative locations proposed by the community.
Additionally, the lawsuit contends that Ordinance 6855, which remains in effect, prohibits any non-recreational use of the property, including the construction of an educational facility. The plaintiffs allege that neither the City of Midland nor MISD has adhered to proper permitting and zoning procedures required by Midland's code and Texas law.
As part of the legal action, the plaintiffs are seeking a writ of mandamus to compel the city and its officials to adhere to zoning ordinances, as well as a declaratory judgment affirming the applicability of these ordinances and codes. They also seek recovery of damages and attorney's fees.
In 2019, MISD purchased the property and continued to lease it to the Ranchland Hills Golf Club. However, in 2023, a $1.4 billion bond was passed by Midland voters, which included the property as a proposed site for a new high school. While the bond vote was solely for funding purposes, the community has opposed MISD's plans to build on the property, arguing that alternative sites have been ignored by the district.