Clark, S. & v. v. Fritz, M. & S., and Fritz, H.

Superior Court of Pennsylvania·Decided May 6, 2016·No. 1085 MDA 2015·Unpublished

Opinion

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

SHAWN & VALERIE CLARK IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Appellees

v.

MARK AND SUSAN AND HELEN FRITZ Appellants No. 1085 MDA 2015

Appeal from the Judgment Entered August 7, 2015 In the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County Civil Division at No(s): 13-2044

BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., STABILE, J., and DUBOW, J. MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J.: FILED MAY 06, 2016 Mark and Susan Fritz (h/w) and Helen Fritz (collectively the “Fritzes”)

appeal from the judgment, entered on a verdict in favor of Appellees, Shawn and Valerie Clark, (h/w) (the “Clarks”), after the court granted a permanent

injunction1 in the underlying equity action. After careful review, we affirm.

1 When an appellate court reviews the grant of a permanent injunction, its scope of review is plenary. Kuznik v. Westmoreland County Bd. of Comm’rs, 902 A.2d 476, 489 (Pa. 2006). On appeal, our inquiry concerns whether the lower court’s legal determination that the plaintiff established a clear right to relief, as a matter of law, was proper. Accordingly, our standard of review is de novo. Seven Springs Farm, Inc. v. Croker, 801 A.2d 1212, 1216 n.1 (Pa. 2002) (standard of review for questions of law is de novo). Moreover,

[t]o be entitled to a permanent injunction, a party must establish a clear right to relief, and must have no adequate remedy at law, i.e., damages will not compensate for the injury.

J.C Erlich Co. v. Martin, [] 979 A.2d 862, 864 (Pa. Super.

(Footnote Continued Next Page)

In July 2001, the Fritzes purchased and installed on their property a Phase-2,2 400,000 BTU outdoor wood-fired burner (OWB/furnace).3 The total cost of the unit, including installation, was $30,000. N.T. Non-Jury Trial, 4/8/15, at 592. The furnace was used year-round to heat the interior

(Footnote Continued)

2009) (quoting Pestco, Inc., [] 880 A.2d [at] 710[.] Unlike a preliminary injunction, a permanent injunction does not require proof of immediate irreparable harm. Id.

Liberty Place Retail Assocs., L.P. v. Israelite Sch. of Universal Practical Knowledge, et al., 102 A.3d 501, 506 (Pa. Super. 2014). 2 Phase-2 denotes a newer model wood-fired boiler that is more efficient than older models, resulting in reduced emissions of particulate matter equal and less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) which negatively impact the environmental and public health. See 40 Pa. Bull. 5571 (October 10, 2010). 3 OWBs, also referred to as outdoor wood-fired furnaces, outdoor woodburning appliances or outdoor hydronic heaters, are free-standing fuelburning devices designed: (1) to burn clean wood or other approved solid fuels; (2) specifically for outdoor installation or installation in structures not normally intended for habitation by humans or domestic animals, such as garages; and (3) to heat building space or water by means of distribution, typically through pipes, of a fluid heated in the device, typically water or a water and antifreeze mixture. OWBs are sold to heat homes and buildings and to produce domestic hot water. See http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol40/40-40/1876.html (last visited April 4, 2016). The specific model owned by the Fritzes, the Optimizer 350, is manufactured by Portage & Main. The gases burned in this furnace reach temperatures of in excess of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. The process of “gasification” that is used in the operation of the Optimizer 350 is defined as, “out combustion, with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam.” http://www.gasification-syngas.org/technology/the-gasification-process (last visited April 6, 2016).

of their residences4 as well as their water supply.5 Mr. Fritz testified that he primarily burned seasoned hard wood in the furnace. Id. at 591. The furnace greatly reduced the Fritzes’ heating expenses compared to what it had cost them to run their standard home oil-based heating system.6 The furnace is located approximately 420 feet to the west of the Clarks’ property line and 670 feet west of the Clarks’ residence. The topography of the parties’ land is primarily rolling hills.

The Fritzes obtained the requisite township permits and uniform construction code permit for the furnace. The Fritzes complied with all zoning and building regulations, as well as manufacturer’s instructions, when installing and using the furnace. One of those instructions included locating the unit downwind from their residences. The unit also complies with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. However, notably, the EPA requires that manufacturers provide all potential buyers of Phase II

furnaces the following information in their respective owner’s manuals:

4 The Fritzes own two adjoining lots, located on a span of 6 acres in Tilden Township, Berks County. Two residences are on the lots; Mark and Susan live together in one home, and Mark’s mother, Helen, lives in the other home. The furnace was able to heat the interior and water supplies of both residences. 5 The unit was operated year-round (twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year) as it also heated the Fritzes’ reptiles. 6 The Fritzes have an oil furnace in their home that is still operable, which they have been using as their heat source since they were ordered to stop operating the furnace.

Statements indicating that the person(s) operating a hydronic heater is/are responsible for operation in a manner that does not create a public or private nuisance condition. The manufacturer’s distance and stack height recommendations and the requirements in any applicable laws or other requirements may not always be adequate to prevent nuisance conditions due to terrain or other factors.

EPA Hydronic Heater Program, Phase 2 Partnership Agreement, 10/12/11, at § VI(A)(5) (Outreach Materials; Owner’s Manuel Statement).

On February 13, 2013, the Clarks filed a civil action in equity, sounding in private nuisance and trespass, seeking to enjoin the Fritzes from causing further damage to them and their property. In the complaint, the Clarks averred that when the prevailing winds blow from west to east, the furnace’s strong, pungent and foul-smelling smoke would descend upon their property and cause them to suffer from any and all of the following conditions: burning in their eyes, throats and lungs, sore throats, and headaches. As a result of the odor emanating from the furnace, the Clarks had to close their windows and doors and keep the air conditioning on throughout the year.7 Despite these measures, it was virtually impossible to keep all of the fumes from permeating their home through vents and the fireplace. Overall, the fumes prevented the Clarks from enjoying any outdoor activities on their property. Despite several requests by the Clarks that the Fritzes cease using the furnace, as well as requests that the Fritzes

7 Mr. Clark kept a log which indicated that irritating smoke came out of the Fritzes’ furnace 210 days out of the first 365 days of its use.

raise the smoke stack of the unit, the quantity of smoke drifting onto the Clarks’ property did not decrease or cease.

The Clarks also filed a separate petition for special relief in the nature of a preliminary injunction against the Fritzes, claiming that smoke from the furnace was entering their home and causing adverse health effects on their entire family, including their young child and family dog. The Fritzes filed preliminary objections to the complaint, to which the Clarks filed an answer. On May 6, 2013, the court dismissed the Fritzes’ preliminary objections.

On May 21, 2013 and June 4, 2013, the court held hearings on the Clarks’ request for a preliminary injunction. On June 10, 2013, the court entered an order granting injunctive relief finding that:

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Clark, S. & v. v. Fritz, M. & S., and Fritz, H., (Pa. Ct. App. 2016).

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