Color of law

**[Demand Letter]**

[Owner's Name]  
[Owner's Address]  
[City, State, ZIP Code]  
[Date]  

[Secretary's Name or City Official]  
[Department Name]  
[City Name]  
[Address]  
[City, State, ZIP Code]  

**Subject:** Demand to Rescind Land-Use Agreement Obtained Under Coercion

Dear [Secretary's Name or City Official],

I am writing regarding the land-use agreement I signed on [Date] concerning [Property Address]. It has come to my attention that the circumstances under which I signed this agreement constitute coercion and abuse of authority under the color of law.

As you are aware, the issuance of building permits is a ministerial duty governed by applicable city and state laws. Your refusal to issue the permit unless I agreed to sign the land-use agreement was improper and unlawful. Faced with significant financial loss due to the delay, I had no practical choice but to comply under duress.

The agreement is therefore voidable on several grounds, including:

1. **Coercion/Duress:** The withholding of the building permit placed undue pressure on me, forcing me to sign the agreement involuntarily.
2. **Abuse of Authority:** Your actions represent a misuse of public office, as the permit was conditioned on an unrelated and unjustifiable demand.
3. **Violation of Public Policy:** Such coercive practices undermine the integrity of government processes and violate public trust.

I hereby demand that the city formally rescind the land-use agreement within [10/14] days of the date of this letter. Failure to do so will leave me no choice but to pursue legal remedies, including filing a complaint with the appropriate authorities and initiating a lawsuit to have the agreement declared void and unenforceable. Additionally, I will seek compensation for any damages resulting from your actions.

I trust that you will resolve this matter promptly to avoid unnecessary litigation. Please direct all correspondence regarding this matter to my attention at the address listed above or via email at [Owner's Email Address].

Sincerely,  
[Owner's Name]  

---

**[Complaint]**

**IN THE [NAME OF COURT]**  
[Jurisdiction]

**[Owner's Name], Plaintiff**  
vs.  
**[City Name or Secretary’s Name], Defendant**  

**COMPLAINT**

**Introduction**
1. This is an action to invalidate a land-use agreement obtained under coercion and duress, in violation of the Plaintiff’s rights and applicable laws.

**Jurisdiction and Venue**
2. Plaintiff is the owner of property located at [Property Address], within the jurisdiction of this court.
3. Defendant [Secretary’s Name or City Name] acted under color of law in their official capacity as [Secretary’s Title].
4. Venue is proper in this court because the events giving rise to this action occurred within its jurisdiction.

**Parties**
5. Plaintiff, [Owner’s Name], is a property owner residing in [City, State].
6. Defendant, [Secretary’s Name], is employed by [City Name] as [Secretary’s Title].

**Factual Allegations**
7. On [Date], Plaintiff applied for a building permit for [Property Address].
8. Defendant refused to issue the permit unless Plaintiff signed a land-use agreement.
9. Faced with significant financial loss from delay, Plaintiff signed the agreement on [Date] under duress.
10. The agreement imposes unreasonable conditions and provides no benefit to Plaintiff.

**Legal Claims**

**Count 1: Coercion and Duress**
11. Plaintiff incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
12. Defendant’s actions constituted coercion and duress, rendering the agreement voidable.

**Count 2: Abuse of Authority**
13. Plaintiff incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
14. Defendant acted beyond the scope of their authority by conditioning the permit on signing the agreement.

**Count 3: Declaratory Relief**
15. Plaintiff incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
16. Plaintiff seeks a declaratory judgment that the agreement is void and unenforceable.

**Prayer for Relief**
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests the following relief:
1. A declaratory judgment that the land-use agreement is void and unenforceable;
2. An injunction preventing Defendant from enforcing the agreement;
3. Compensation for damages caused by the delay and coercion;
4. Attorney’s fees and court costs; and
5. Any other relief this court deems just and proper.

Dated: [Date]  

Respectfully submitted,  
[Owner's Name]  
[Address]  
[City, State, ZIP Code]  
[Phone Number]  
[Email Address]