In Re Northwood Properties, LLC

356 B.R. 81, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 88256, 2006 WL 3513511
CourtDistrict Court, D. Massachusetts
DecidedDecember 7, 2006
DocketCivil Action No. 06-11781-WCY
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 356 B.R. 81 (In Re Northwood Properties, LLC) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Massachusetts primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re Northwood Properties, LLC, 356 B.R. 81, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 88256, 2006 WL 3513511 (D. Mass. 2006).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

YOUNG, District Judge.

This fascinating case arises in the context of a bankruptcy proceeding. At stake are development rights potentially worth millions of dollars. The result is a barroom brawl for control of these rights. The appellee, Northwood Properties, LLC (“Northwood”), is a condominium developer, now in bankruptcy, that seeks to build new units to raise funds to pay off its debtors. The appellants, Sidney Bourne (“Bourne”), Claudio Delise (“Delise”), and Ralph Tyler (“Tyler”), have fired two shots in their battle for control of the development rights. First, Bourne and Delise contend that as unit owners, Northwood must obtain their consent before it can build any new units. Second, Bourne, Delise, and Tyler have all purchased small debts in order to have a say in the bankruptcy proceeding. Tyler additionally asserts a claim for over $600,000 in legal fees that Northwood vigorously disputes. Bourne, Delise, and Tyler contend that as holders of four of the five unsecured, non-insider claims, their approval is necessary for the confirmation of any reorganization plan.

The Bankruptcy Court held that the arguments advanced by the appellants missed their mark. The Bankruptcy Court subsequently confirmed the reorganization plan giving Northwood full control over development rights. This appeal followed.

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Factual and Procedural Background

1. The Northwood at Sudbury Condominium

Northwood sought to develop the North-wood at Sudbury Condominium in five *83 phases. 1 The master deed for the first-phase was recorded on December 9, 1998. Appellant Br. Stat. of Facts ¶ 1. The first phase consisted of twelve units. Id. ¶ 3. The master deed granted Northwood phasing rights that expired on December 9, 2005. Id. ¶ 2. The master deed for the second phase was recorded on May 20, 2002. Id. ¶ 4. The second phase also consisted of twelve units. Id. Bourne and Delise accepted and recorded unit deeds for two units in the second phase. Id. ¶¶ 5-6.

At the time that Bourne and Delise recorded their unit deeds, the master condominium deed granted Bourne and Delise each a 3.92% interest in the common areas and facilities. Id. ¶¶5-6. The master deed did not state what percentage interests Bourne and Delise would have following the completion of any additional phases. See Appellant App., Ex. 10; Ex. 12. The master deed stated only that if and when all five phases were completed, there would be sixty-six units. Id. ¶ 9.

Northwood completed just two phases in the seven years before its phasing rights expired. On June 16, 2005, Northwood negotiated an extension of phasing rights through December 9, 2010. Appellee Br. Stat. of Facts ¶ 9. In exchange for the extension of phasing rights, Northwood paid more than $700,000 to the condominium association, Northwood at Sudbury Condominium Trust (the “Association”). Id. Subsequently, Northwood filed for bankruptcy. Id. ¶ 10. Nonetheless, eighty-three percent of unit owners voted to ratify the revival of phasing rights, more than the two-thirds majority required by the master deed. Id. ¶ 11. Bourne and Delise were the only unit owners who objected to the revival of phasing rights. Id.

2. The Bankruptcy Proceeding

At the time that Northwood filed its voluntary petition for bankruptcy, it had only five unsecured claims against it held by non-insider creditors: (1) $50.00 owed to NStar (the “NStar Claim”); (2) $50.00 owed to KeySpan (the “KeySpan Claim”); (3) $305.92 owed to GZA Environmental (the “GZA Claim”); (4) $622,270 allegedly owed to Tyler (the “Tyler Claim”); and (5) approximately $1.5 million owed to the Association (the “Association Claim”). Id. ¶ 14.

Tyler is the only appellant who held a claim against Northwood when it filed for bankruptcy. During the bankruptcy proceeding, Northwood filed an objection to this claim. Id. That claim is pending before the Bankruptcy Court. Id. ¶ 19. Bourne and Delise joined the fight in March 2006 when they purchased the NStar Claim for $50.00 and the GZA 'Claim for $305.92. Id. ¶ 15. For good measure, Tyler purchased the KeySpan Claim for $50.00. Id. Following these purchases, the appellants controlled four of the five unsecured, non-insider claims.

In May 2006, Northwood and Tashmoo, Northwood’s largest creditor and its managing member, filed the First Amended Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization of Northwood Properties, LLC (“First *84 Amended Plan”). Id. ¶ 20. Among other terms and conditions, the First Amended Plan grouped the five non-insider, unsecured claims together in the same class. Id. ¶ 21. Under this plan, Northwood proposed that these five claims receive an initial distribution of five percent of their allowed amounts and, thereafter, receive a pro rata distribution from any proceeds from the eventual sale of either the phasing rights to a third-party developer or any condominium units developed by Northwood. Id. Bourne, Delise, and Tyler objected to the First Amended Plan asserting, among other things, that the First Amended Plan was not feasible. Id. ¶ 23. They filed a competing plan in which they would take over development of the condominium complex. Id. ¶ 22.

On July 11, 2006, Northwood and Tashmoo filed a Second Amended Plan. Id. ¶ 24. The Second Amended Plan created a new class of claims under Class 1 for all unsecured claims in an allowed amount less than $750.00. Id. ¶ 25. Class 1 consisted of the three claims acquired by Bourne, Delise, and Tyler during North-wood’s bankruptcy proceeding. Id. The Second Amended Plan provided that those claims would be paid in full, immediately upon the date it became effective. Id.

The Second Amended Plan placed the disputed Tyler Claim in a separate class, identified as Class 2. Id. ¶ 26. Pursuant to the Second Amended Plan, the Tyler Claim would be paid in full upon the entry of a final, non-appealable order allowing that claim in a specific amount. Id. The parties dispute whether Northwood has sufficient assets to pay the Tyler Claim if and when it is allowed. See Appellant Br. at 33.

Finally, the Second Amended Plan created a third class for the Association Claim. Appellee Br. Stat. of Facts ¶ 27. Similar to its treatment in the First Amended Plan, this claim would be paid over time, subject to Northwood’s proceeds from the sale of either phasing rights or any condominiums it developed. Id. Notwithstanding the proposed subordination of its claim, the Association voted for confirmation of the Second Amended Plan. Id.

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Bluebook (online)
356 B.R. 81, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 88256, 2006 WL 3513511, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-northwood-properties-llc-mad-2006.