Woodlief v. Mecklenburg County

625 S.E.2d 904, 176 N.C. App. 205, 2006 N.C. App. LEXIS 424

• Court: Court of Appeals of North Carolina
• Decided: February 21, 2006
• Docket: COA05-564
• Status: Published

Opinions

TYSON, Judge.

John B. Woodlief and Cynthia M. Woodlief (“plaintiffs”) appeal from the trial court’s 17 December 2004 order granting summary judgment in favor of Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte Zoning Board of Adjustment, Insite Engineering and Surveying, PLLC, E.C. Griffith Company, Dorsett Hitchens Properties, LLC, and Joel Madden (collectively, “defendants”). We affirm.

I. Background

Plaintiffs are the owners of a parcel of land used for residential purposes located in Charlotte. Defendant, E.C. Griffith Company (“Griffith”), owns approximately 6.4 acres of undeveloped.woodland property abutting plaintiffs parcel. Both properties acjoin the Briar Creek floodway an area regulated by the federal and local governments to control flooding. This area has experienced significant flooding in past years.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) regulates uses of land that are subject to flooding. FEMA requires states and local communities to adopt standards equal to or more restrictive than the federal criteria in order to qualify for federal disaster relief and insurance.

Prior to 2000, the City of Charlotte regulated the 1.0 foot surcharge FEMA floodway, as required by FEMA’s flood insurance program. In the late 1990s, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County began to develop and adopt more restrictive flood protection regulations. On 28 February 2000, the Charlotte City Council established a more restrictive floodway using a 0.5 foot surcharge instead of the 1.0 foot FEMA surcharge to locate the floodway encroachment line. The City Council also established a 0.1 foot surcharge local floodway known as the FLUM (Floodplain Land Use Map) floodway. The FLUM floodway further limits uses and development than what is permitted within the FEMA floodway.

Griffith and defendant, Dorsett Hitchens Properties, LLC. (“Dorsett”), decided to jointly develop the 6.4 acre parcel into a residential subdivision. Griffith and Dorsett employed defendant, Insite Engineering and Surveying, PLLC (“Insite”), to apply for a floodlands development permit. Insite’s employee, defendant Joel Madden (“Madden”), filed an application for a permit with the Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services Department (“Storm Water”) on Griffith’s and Dorsett’s behalf on 3 March 2003. Storm Water issued Permit Number 917 on 27 March 2003.

In May 2004, Storm Water determined it had mistakenly issued the permit. The Charlotte City Council adopted new floodway regulations on 12 May 2003, after Permit Number 917 was issued. Storm Water sent Griffith and Madden a letter stating Permit Number 917 had been “revoked.” The letter also advised the applicant could revise its application to comply with the 2000 ordinance in effect at the time the original application was filed.

Griffith, through Insite, submitted a revised flood study in June 2004. Storm Water found the revised flood study complied with the City of Charlotte’s floodplain regulations in effect at the time of the application. Storm Water “reissued” Permit Number 917. This permitting decision was affirmed and adopted by the Charlotte Zoning Board of Adjustment on 4 November 2003.

Plaintiffs filed a complaint for declaratory judgment in Mecklenburg County Superior Court challenging the validity of Permit Number 917. On 5 May 2004, the trial court granted defendant’s motion for partial judgment on the pleadings. On 17 December 2004, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of defendants. Plaintiff appeals.

II. Issues

Plaintiffs contend the trial court erred in granting summary judgment for defendants and argue: (1) the flood permit was issued under a repealed ordinance; (2) the flood permit was issued in violation of the 2000 ordinance; and (3) the flood permit was issued by an entity that lacked the legal authority to issue it. Plaintiffs also assigned error to the trial court’s 5 May 2004 order. Plaintiffs failed to argue their assignment of error to the order entered 5 May 2004 on appeal. N.C.R. App. P. 28(b)(6) (2005) (“Assignments of error not set out in the appellant’s brief, or in support of which no reason or argument is stated or authority cited, will be taken as abandoned.”). This assignment of error is dismissed.

III. Standard of Review

A. Summary Judgment

In a motion for summary judgment, the movant has the burden of establishing that there are no genuine issues of material fact. The movant can meet the burden by either: “1) Proving that an essential element of the opposing party’s claim is nonexistent; or 2) Showing through discovery that the opposing party cannot produce evidence sufficient to support an essential element of his claim nor [evidence] sufficient to surmount an affirmative defense to his claim.” Price v. Davis, 132 N.C. App. 556, 559, 512 S.E.2d 783, 786 (1999) (citing Messick v. Catawba County, 110 N.C. App. 707, 712, 431 S.E.2d 489, 492-93, disc. rev. denied, 334 N.C. 621, 435 S.E.2d 336 (1993)).

When a motion for summary judgment is made and supported as provided in this rule, an adverse party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of his pleading, but his response, by affidavits or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. If he does not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against him. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 56(e) (2003).

Hines v. Yates, 171 N.C. App. 150, 157, 614 S.E.2d 385, 389 (2005).

B. Statutory Construction

We review an issue of statutory construction de novo. A&F Trademark, Inc. v. Tolson, 167 N.C. App. 150, 153-54, 605 S.E.2d 187, 190 (2004). The primary goal of statutory construction is to effectuate the legislature’s purpose and intention. MacPherson v. City of Asheville, 283 N.C. 299, 307, 196 S.E.2d 200, 206 (1973). “ ‘The rules applicable to the construction of statutes are equally applicable to the construction of municipal ordinances.’ ” Id. (quoting Cogdell v. Taylor, 264 N.C. 424, 142 S.E.2d 36 (1965)).

When reviewing a board of adjustment’s interpretation of an ordinance, “ ‘our task on appeal is not to decide whether another interpretation of the ordinance might reasonably have been reached by the board,’ but to decide if the board ‘acted arbitrarily, oppressively, manifestly abused its authority, or committed an error of law’ in interpreting the ordinance.” Whiteco Outdoor Adver. v. Johnston County Bd. of Adjust., 132 N.C. App. 465, 470, 513 S.E.2d 70, 74 (1999) (quoting Taylor Home v. City of Charlotte, 116 N.C. App. 188, 193, 447 S.E.2d 438, 442, disc. rev. denied, 338 N.C. 524, 453 S.E.2d 170 (1994)).

IV. Issuance of t,he Flood Permit

A. Evaluation Under the 2000 Ordinance

Plaintiffs argue the trial court erred in granting summary judgment to defendants because Storm Water evaluated the June 2004 revised flood study under the 2000 floodplain ordinance instead of the 2003 ordinance. We disagree.

The original application was submitted on 3 March 2003 when the 2000 ordinance controlled the conditions of the permit. The City amended the flood way regulations in May 2003. Insight’s revised flood study was submitted in June 2004. The 2003 ordinance is silent on allowing filed flood lands development permit applications to be evaluated under standards in effect when filed. Plaintiffs argue the trial court erred in applying a “grandfather provision” when the 2003 ordinance contains no such provision.

The letter from Storm Water to Griffith and Madden stated:

If you wish to submit a revised model or models still showing the fill within the FEMA floodway line or a revised application with different fill parameters and revised models for our review using the ordinance that was in effect at the time of your original sub-mittal (March 3, 2003), please do so no later than July 12, 2004. Failure to submit by that date will result in your original application being deemed to have been abandoned.

(Emphasis supplied). An inter-office memorandum within the Planning Commission stated:

We have been informed that Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services has revoked the Floodlands Development Permit necessary for the development of Eastover Woods after determining that it was mistakenly issued. However, Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services has given the developer until July 12, 2004 to re-submit information in support of their original Floodland Development Permit application.

(Emphasis supplied).

Storm Water considered the following factors in determining whether the revised flood study would be evaluated under the 2000 ordinance: (1) both the 2000 and 2003 ordinances are silent on the issue of evaluating permit applications submitted and filed prior to the adoption of the 2003 ordinance; and (2) the ■ Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission had a prior pattern and practice of evaluating subdivision applications under the regulatory rules existing at the time of the application for preliminary subdivision approval, where the subsequently adopted regulations are silent on the issue of grandfathering.

In Northwestern Financial Group v. County of Gaston, our Supreme Court addressed an explicit grandfathering provision. 329 N.C. 180, 405 S.E.2d 138 (1991). Gaston County adopted a mobile home park ordinance on 1 July 1986. Id. at 182, 405 S.E.2d at 139. Gaston County amended the ordinance in September 1987. Id. The amended ordinance contained the following language: “[t]he provisions of the Gaston County Mobile Home Park Ordinance Dated July 1, 1986, shall apply to those . . . plans . . . submitted to the Gaston County Division of Planning after July 1, 1986 and prior to the effective date of this ordinance.” Id. The plaintiff submitted a plan for a mobile home park in June 1987 prior to the effective date of the ordinance’s amendment. Id. The plaintiff submitted a revised plan shortly before the ordinance was amended. Id. at 183, 405 S.E.2d at 140. In response to requests from Gaston County, the plaintiff further revised and resubmitted the plans three times after the 1987 ordinance became effective. Gaston County refused to accept the fifth set of revised plans under the 1986 ordinance. 329 N.C. at 185, 405 S.E.2d at 141.

In Northwestern Financial Group, our Supreme Court determined whether the plaintiff waived its right to have the plan reviewed under the 1986 ordinance by either an affirmative act or a failure to act. Id. at 188, 405 S.E.2d at 143. The Court stated:

The Court of Appeals held that the revised plans submitted after the enactment of the new ordinance did not “relate back” to plans submitted prior to the enactment of that ordinance. We do not agree. We conceive the issue to be not so much whether the plans relate back, as it is whether the submission of the subsequent revised plans in response to the requirements or recommendations of regulatory bodies resulted in a waiver or abandonment of Northwestern’s right to review under the 1986 ordinance. The more pertinent inquiry as to whether such right is waived or abandoned is through examination of the question of whether the subsequent plans were made in a good faith effort to bring its application into compliance with the 1986 ordinance. We hold, based on the findings by the trial court, which are amply supported by the evidence, that Northwestern submitted the revised plans in response to the modifications recommended by a regulatory agency, proceeded in good faith to. comply with the requirements of the 1986 ordinance, and did not waive or abandon its right to review under that ordinance. The revised plans were essentially a part of the normal give and take between the applicant and the regulatory authorities.

Id. at 188-89, 405 S.E.2d at 143 (emphasis supplied). “Good faith efforts to comply with the recommendations of the reviewing agencies should not prejudice the applicant.” Id. at 190, 405 S.E.2d at 144.

Here, the Griffith application was submitted and filed when the 2000 ordinance controlled the development. Griffith submitted additional information in connection with the original application after the ordinance was amended. Storm Water considered the revised floo¡d study to be part of the original application process and not a new and separate permit application. The submission of the revised flood study was “part of the normal give and take between the applicant and the regulatory authorities.” Id. at 189, 405 S.E.2d at 143. In submitting the revised flood study, Griffith was making a “good faith [effort] to comply with requirements of the ... ordinance” in effect at the time the application was filed. Id. at 190, -405 S.E.2d at 144. Defendants “[were] entitled to rely upon the language of the ordinance in effect at the time [Griffith] applied for the permit.” Lambeth v. Town of Kure Beach, 157 N.C. App. 349, 351, 578 S.E.2d 688, 690 (2003) (citing Northwestern Financial Group, 329 N.C. 180, 405 S.E.2d 138).

Land development is somewhat analogous to litigation. Neither is a snapshot, a freeze in time, but rather a process that occurs over time, sometimes months and years. Once a claimant timely files a lawsuit, the claimant tolls the statute of limitations for those claims. The claimant may amend his pleadings, dismiss without prejudice and refile, or add parties or claims to the original action. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 15(a) (2003); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 41(a) (2003); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 14(a) (2003); N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, Rule 18(a) (2003). Both land development and litigation hold the potential for multiple sequences and paths. The outcome depends upon numerous dependent and independent, but correlated, variables. The design and construction of a project is specifically tailored to comply with the regulations in effect at the time of application for permits. A request for further information or clarification of an existing application by a reviewing agency or board does not require the entire application and permitting process to begin anew. To hold otherwise would allow compliance with regulations and permitting to become a moving target to ever changing revisions or amendments.

Although our review is de novo, we give deference to the agency’s interpretation of the ordinance in issue. County of Durham v. N. C. Dept. of Env’t and Natural Resources, 131 N.C. App. 395, 396-97, 507 S.E.2d 310, 311 (1998) (“[E]ven when reviewing a case de novo, courts recognize the long-standing tradition of according deference to the agency’s interpretation.” The agency’s past pattern and practice in similar applications also supports upholding the agency’s decision in the absence of other controlling authority. This assignment of error is overruled.

B. Issuance in Accordance with the 2000 Ordinance

Plaintiffs contend the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of defendants because Permit Number 917 was issued in violation of Section 9-21(4)(a) of the 2000 ordinance. We disagree.

The 2000 ordinance restricts development within both the FEMA and FLUM floodways. Section 9-21(4)(a) of the 2000 ordinance addresses the FEMA floodway and provides:

With the exception of stream crossings which shall not raise the base flood elevation more than one foot, no encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other developments shall be permitted within the FEMA flood-way, unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analysis performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that such encroachment would not result in any increase in flood level during occurrence of a FLUM base flood discharge, changes in FEMA floodway elevations, or FEMA flood-way width.

The revised floodplain study shows development occurring inside the FEMA floodway. The proposed subdivision plan shows construction of a cul-de-sac, driveway connections to the road, utility installations, and land clearing activities located within the FEMA floodway. Plaintiffs assert Griffith failed to demonstrate the encroachment will cause no rise in the flood level to occur during a FLUM base flood discharge as required by Section 9-21(4)(a).

The term “encroachment” is not defined in the 2000 ordinance. Section 9-21(4)(c) provides:

The following uses shall be permitted, by right within the flood-way district to the extent that they are otherwise permitted by the zoning ordinance, and provided they do not employ structures, fill or storage of materials or equipment except as provided herein:

2. Loading areas, parking areas, rotary aircraft ports and other similar uses, provided they are no closer than twenty-five (25) feet to the stream bank;

5. Streets, bridges, overhead utility lines, creek and storm drainage facilities . . . and other similar public community or utility uses[.\

The Board of Adjustment concluded the revised flood study “did not propose any encroachment or activity that would trigger the application of Former Regulations Sec. 9-21(4)a.” The Board also concluded the proposed activities that will occur in conjunction with the development “are not encroachments under Sec. 9-21(4)a and are uses permitted by right pursuant to Sec. 9-21(4)c of the Former Regulations.” Plaintiffs have failed to show the Board of Adjustment “ ‘acted arbitrarily, oppressively, manifestly abused its authority, or committed an error of law’ ” by concluding the street and utility development within the FEMA floodway is “permitted by right”, does not constitute an impermissible encroachment, and is exempt. Whiteco Outdoor Adver., 132 N.C. App. at 470, 512 S.E.2d at 74. This assignment of error is overruled.

C. Authority of Storm Water

Plaintiffs argue Griffith did not apply to the proper entity for purposes of obtaining the permit. We disagree.

Permit Number 917 was sought and obtained from the Floodplain Administrator for Storm Water. Section 9-19(a) of the 2000 ordinance, entitled, “Variance Procedures,” states, “The zoning board of adjustment . . . shall hear and decide . . . any proposed encroachment requests that would result in an increase in the floodway elevations or floodway widths during the occurrence of a base flood.”

Plaintiffs assert Griffith should have applied directly to the Board of Adjustment because it sought permission to place encroachments in restricted areas and evidence shows the encroachments would raise the base flood elevation. The Zoning Board of Adjustment concluded the proposed development was in accordance with the 2000 ordinance and the proposed construction in the floodway was exempt from the ordinance. The ordinance expressly provides for exemptions for development such as utilities, public roads, and parking areas in the restricted areas.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment also expressly stated in its decision: “To the extent. . . that approval of the Charlotte Zoning Board of Adjustment is necessary, this decision on appeal shall constitute such approval and issuance of permit #917.” This assignment of error is overruled.

V. Conclusion

The trial court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of defendants. No error of law was committed by the superior court in ruling the proposed development inside the FEMA floodway did not constitute an impermissible encroachment under Section 9-21(4)(a) of the 2000 City of Charlotte Floodway Regulations and defendant’s development is “permitted by right” under Section 9-21(4)(c) of the City of Charlotte Floodway Regulations. The trial court’s order is affirmed.

Affirmed.

Judge LEVINSON concurs. Judge HUDSON concurs in result with a separate opinion.