Liddell v. Swarthmore Swim Club

2 Pa. D. & C.2d 468, 1954 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 42
CourtPennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Delaware County
DecidedDecember 9, 1954
Docketno. 1812
StatusPublished

This text of 2 Pa. D. & C.2d 468 (Liddell v. Swarthmore Swim Club) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Delaware County primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Liddell v. Swarthmore Swim Club, 2 Pa. D. & C.2d 468, 1954 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 42 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1954).

Opinion

Sweney, P. J.,

Plaintiffs, property owners and residents of Swarthmore Borough, have filed their bill to enjoin the Borough of Swarthmore, the borough council and officers thereof and the Swarthmore Swim Club, a nonprofit corporation, incbrporated for the purpose of erecting, maintaining and operating a swimming pool in the borough, and to prevent the erection of the pool.

The bill, as filed, recites that plaintiffs are property owners in the immediate vicinity of the property where it is proposed to erect the swimming pool; that the operation of a swimming pool at this place in the borough will interfere with plaintiffs in their proper use and comfortable enjoyment of their homes in that (a) there will be great increase in the traffic upon the streets; (b) parking in the streets by users of the pool will be a hazard; (c) there will be noise and confusion; (d) the lights at the pool will shine into and upon the properties and homes of plaintiffs, and (e) the value of their properties will be decreased in value; that the neighborhood in which plaintiffs reside and in which the pool is to be erected is a residential neighborhood and is so zoned by the Zoning Act of the Borough of Swarthmore; and that said swimming pool will be a nuisance per se; plaintiffs pray that the borough authorities shall be enjoined from granting the necessary permits and that the swim club be enjoined from erecting the swimming pool.

Defendants, Borough of Swarthmore, and the council and officers thereof have answered and say that [470]*470the pool will not be a nuisance, that such an enterprise is allowable under the zoning code of the borough, which permits recreation in residential areas.

Defendant corporation, Swarthmore Swim Club, answers and says that the tract, under contemplation for the purpose of erecting, maintaining and operating a swimming pool, is adjacent to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, where passenger and freight trains pass daily and nightly; that the pool in question is to be conducted as a private club and not for profit; that there will be no parking in the streets by users of the pool, as sufficient parking space on the grounds will be provided; that the swimming pool is not a nuisance per se and will not be a nuisance in fact; that such a pool is permitted under the zoning code of the borough; that, although it is admitted that the pool property is in a residential zone, there is in existence and use a large playing field, used and operated by the school district, also adjacent to the Pennsylvania Railroad and across Riverview Avenue from the property of defendant. This defendant prays that the bill shall be dismissed.

From the pleadings herein filed and the testimony taken upon final hearing, we make the following

Findings of Fact

1. Plaintiffs are all titled owners of residence properties which abut and face on Riverview Avenue, in the Borough of Swarthmore.

2. The properties of Brinton L. Liddell and Eleanor L. Liddell, his wife; Wesley J. Simon and Patricia A. Simon, his wife; Robert M. Lachman and Leatha R. Lachman, his wife; Wilbur Norman Anderson and Marian Orr Anderson, his wife, abut the property on which defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, plans to erect its swimming pools, bath houses and parking area.

[471]*4713. The area of Riverview Avenue, in the borough, is a high type residential district.

4. The Riverview Avenue area is presently a quiet residential district.

5. Riverview Avenue is presently a street which runs from Baltimore Pike, on the north, and dead ends at the right of way of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, on the south, is 25 feet from curb to curb, paved with macadam, and, of sufficient width to enable only one car to proceed thereon, if cars are parked on both sides of the street.

6. The property, upon which the Swarthmore Swim Club proposes to build its swimming pool, bath houses and parking area has a frontage on the east side of Riverview Avenue of about 200 feet; it extends east along the right of way of the Pennsylvania Railroad on the south and along the line of premises No. 203 Riverview Avenue on the north about 270 feet; extending in width (behind premises No. 203, 205, 207 and 209 Riverview Avenue) about 300 feet, it extends thence to the line of Springfield Township the further approximate distance of 340 feet, the rear line of said property containing along the line of said township about 540 feet, with a total area of about four and one-half acres.

7. Defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, plans to build on the property as described above, an “L” shaped swimming pool, 150 feet by 75 feet, a wading pool 30 feet by 15 feet, a parking area for 56 cars, and a bath house 74 feet by 20 feet.

8. Defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, plans to build a “sunning” and “picnic area” upon said property.

9. The overflow drain from defendant’s contemplated swimming pool is planned to drain into a stream which passes.through properties of certain of plaintiffs.

[472]*47210. Defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, plans to have an initial membership of 500 families, and asserts that the present membership is 441 families.

11. Defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, plans to admit paying guests of members and nonmember users.

12. The members of defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, plan to use automobiles for transportation in coming to and from the pool.

13. Defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, plans to use sound amplifiers, loudspeakers, musical devices and flood lights in connection with the operation of the pool.

14. Defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, would not be prohibited by law, ordinance or restriction from selling and disposing of said property to other owners.

15. On May 12, 1954, a building permit was issued by the proper authorities of the Borough of Swarthmore to the Swarthmore Swim Club to erect the proposed swimming pool, parking space, dressing rooms and “sunning” or “play” area.

16. Plaintiifs and their witnesses were attracted to their present homes by reason of its character, as an area in which to raise their families.

17. Other residents in this area are members of the Swarthmore Swim Club.

18. The use and operation of a private, nonprofit swimming pool is not a nuisance per se.

19. The proposed use of the property by defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, will not necessarily lower the value of the surrounding and proximate properties.

20. The use and operation of a commercial swimming pool, in the location sought to be used by defendant, the Swarthmore Swim Club, would be a nuisance per se.

21. In the use, operation and enjoyment of the proposed swimming club by defendant, the Swarthmore [473]*473Swim Club, the court must impose certain regulations, rules and restrictions which will assist plaintiffs in the peaceful and tranquil use of their homes.

22. A nonprofit, private swimming club may operate a swimming pool in a residential neighborhood under the terms of the zoning code of the Borough of Swarthmore.

Discussion

It is understandable that a controversy should arise in this matter.

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Bluebook (online)
2 Pa. D. & C.2d 468, 1954 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 42, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/liddell-v-swarthmore-swim-club-pactcompldelawa-1954.