The Village of Luckey dropped its eminent domain bid to acquire the Snyder brothers' former quarry in April 2026, ending a five‑year legal battle that cost the municipality $206,000 in legal fees.
Steve and Tim Snyder bought the abandoned, flooded quarry in 2005 for $330,000 and poured fifteen years of labor into grading, clearing, and installing utilities, hoping to sell the improved property for a profit.
In September 2021 the brothers scheduled an auction, but the Village of Luckey had already begun eminent‑domain proceedings, telling bidders that water‑testing and a long‑term process might prevent a sale. The auction closed at $610,000, still below the reserve, and the brothers sued, claiming the village’s actions violated constitutional property rights.
A federal district court dismissed the brothers’ claims, and the Sixth Circuit upheld that decision, concluding the village’s announcement alone did not constitute an unconstitutional taking.
The $206,000 fee now burdens Luckey’s $640,000 general fund, a hit that could cripple the village’s budget for public services. The Snyders argue their former lawyer signed the settlement without consent, and the lien remains contested while the council deliberates whether to pay the bill or challenge it in court.