In 2024, Mike Lindell (aka the My Pillow Guy) embarks on a n…

Written by Anonymous on May 11, 2026 in Uncategorized with no comments.

Questions

In 2024, Mike Lindell (аkа the My Pillоw Guy) embаrks оn a new career as a real estate develоper as his pillow business struggles. His first property is 995 West 7th Street in St. Paul.  The location currently houses a disreputable bar called Shamrocks.  The tax assessed value of the building is one million dollars, but Lindell pays five million dollars for the property with the plan to level the current structure and build a large 15 story apartment tower.  Assume rezoning the property from commercial to residential is routinely granted, and that this plan conforms to all current regulations at the time of purchase. In 2025, a group of Shamrocks regulars successfully lobbies the St. Paul City Council for a series of ordinance changes that would protect Shamrocks from demolition. First, the City Council passes an ordinance prohibiting any redevelopment within one block of West 7th higher than four stories.  Lindell had planned for his apartment building to be 15 stories tall. Second, the City Council refuses a request from Lindell to rezone the property from commercial to residential, which would be a necessary condition of his redevelopment project. Third, the St. Paul Police Pipeband, a bagpipe group of police officers, needs storage for their bagpipes, which are owned by the police department.  The City Council amends Shamrocks' liquor license to require that they, "make storage space available at all times for the use of the St. Paul Police Department, and the Department be provided with a key for access at all times." Fourth, in order to address the rising cost of living, the City Council imposes price controls on every bar on West 7th, requiring that they offer at least one tap beer for $3 per pint and cheese curds for $5 at all times. In 2026, Lindell sues the City of St. Paul in federal court, arguing that the City has taken his property without compensation with the four regulations above, and seeking five million dollars in compensation, which was his purchase price.   The case winds its way to the Supreme Court.  How would the Supreme Court rule on Lindell's claim that his property was taken, and that he is owed $5,000,000?  In responding, show how each of the regulations would be evaluated with specific case law.

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