Let me ask......Who owns the “Public Land”? Does not the public own it? Is this man not part of the “Public”? The land does not belong to the city. It belongs to the citizens of the city.
Riiight...
The term “public” refers to “The Public”, at large.
Not one individual, but all individuals as a collective group. The city, as the incorporated representative of the public, most certainly owns that property.
Try building your next home in a state park and let me know how that works out.