If the 15 homeowners had gotten together and pitched in 2K apiece. ONE of them could have taken that 30K and payed for his section. Once that transaction was complete THEN the county would assess his remaining property accordingly. I doubt he would want to hang on to it for too long when he would have to pay property taxes on 420K every year.
He still makes money on his investment and they learn a good lesson.
I did enjoy the fight too. WM Bach's post was a thing of beauty.