Landowner wants development company off his property

The owner of a 5-acre tract of Jefferson County land wants to invalidate a company's rights to explore for minerals on his land.

Lloyd Weems filed a lawsuit Nov. 24 in Jefferson County District Court against Neches Development Corp. and its unknown stock holders, asking the court to declare as unenforceable an easement allowing for exploration rights.

"This easement has not been used for more than 50 years since the conveyance," the suit states. "The existence of said easement interferes with Plaintiff's use of his land and makes it impossible to sell the property with that encumbrence."

Neches Development sold the land to Lawrence Davis and his wife in 1953 with a deed containing an easement allowing for exploration and transportation of mineral rights, according to the complaint. Since that time, Weems inherited the land, the complaint says.

In addition to his desire that the court declares the easement void, Weems also seeks other relief the court deems just.

Craig J. Schexnaider of Beaumont will be representing him.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. E188-867