All Roads Lead To Costco

You can't fight City Hall. There is a reason that statement is embedded in society. It is because power and money always prevail. It is merely an illusion that we have freedom, rights, and the liberty to correct injustice.

The rare event of stopping a damaging development is a matter of luck and coincidence. The only time a big developer will lose is when they choose to move on. Take the Palm City battle with Costco. The fact that Palm City doesn’t have Costco is surely a win for them. But for Costco and the developer, it does not represent a loss. They simply were not completely satisfied with the location enough to do whatever it took to complete the project.

Kanner is a completely different situation. It is proof that when all the players benefit, nothing can stop that train.

The reason the developer did not participate in the legal battle is that he did not have to. The outcome was predetermined, and he knew it. He was so confident that he purchased the property before the decision was made. No one in their right mind would have paid that kind of money not knowing the fate of the land. The administrative judge’s decision to favor the community and the environment was only a small mistake in the process. She must not have got the memo at the time of the hearing. But I bet she got the message now.

When it comes to fighting city hall, you can have your day in court, but you will never win. It is the same story with the same ending every time. Due process is just a dog and pony show put on to placate the public.

With their thumbs on the scale, and a wink and a nod, all resemblances of fairness vanish like pine trees on vacant land. Once a representation of strength and stability, your belief in the justice system will be replaced by a reminder that the machines of industry will never stop. All in the name of progress.