By Josh Shaffer
Star-Telegram staff writer

WESTLAKE - A state judge has settled a four-year border dispute between Westlake and Roanoke, granting 300 acres of valuable land to Westlake.

State District Judge Fred Davis' ruling represents the last chapter of an ordeal that nearly took Westlake off the map.

In 1997, aldermen voted to fire Mayor Scott Bradley and disannex 90 percent of the town, leaving Westlake's neighbors to snap up parts that were cast off.

Two years later, the state Supreme Court ruled that Bradley had been unjustly removed. The decision essentially reversed the aldermen's actions and put the town back together.

The 300 acres claimed by Roanoke were the last parcels in dispute, Westlake Town Manager Trent Petty said.

"It was basically kind of a feeding frenzy after that initial ruling," he said. "The claim was never dropped by Roanoke."

Davis' ruling came in a summary judgment. There was no trial.

Roanoke City Attorney Mike McEntire said officials are considering an appeal. "We've still got time to look into it," he said.

Meanwhile, the ruling could spur quick development in fast-growing Westlake.

Ross Perot Jr.'s Hillwood Development Corp. owns the land, which is north of Texas 170. Hillwood's plans for Westlake include a mall of more than a million square feet along Texas 114.

Petty said the disputed land will probably turn into valuable commercial property. Its development will be a boon for the town, which has no property tax and relies on sales tax for funding.

"Based on the zoning, I would expect that to be developed as commercial or retail," Petty said.

Hillwood spokesman David Pelletier said there are no specific development plans.

Josh Shaffer, (817) 685-3957
jshaffer@star-telegram.com