E.R. Thompson and L. Del Gotto v. Board of Supervisors of Warrington Twp ( 2017 )


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  •           IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
    Eric R. Thompson and Lisa Del          :
    Gotto,                                 :
    Appellants            :
    :
    v.                        :   No. 1356 C.D. 2016
    :   Argued: February 6, 2017
    Board of Supervisors of Warrington :
    Township, The Cutler Group, Inc.,      :
    and Toll PA XIV, L.P., Brian R.        :
    Price, Trustee of the Illg 2006 Family :
    Irrevocable Trust and Ernst A. Illg    :
    and Brian R. Price Co-Trustees of      :
    the Residuary Trust of Magdalene       :
    Illg and Ernst A. Illg, Individually   :
    BEFORE:      HONORABLE MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, President Judge
    HONORABLE MICHAEL H. WOJCIK, Judge
    HONORABLE JAMES GARDNER COLINS, Senior Judge
    OPINION NOT REPORTED
    MEMORANDUM OPINION
    BY PRESIDENT JUDGE LEAVITT                              FILED: March 23, 2017
    Eric R. Thompson and Lisa Del Gotto (Objectors) appeal an order of
    the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County (trial court) quashing their appeal of
    the Warrington Township Board of Supervisors’ approval of a final subdivision
    plan submitted by The Cutler Group, Inc. (Cutler). Intervenors are Cutler; Toll PA
    XIV, L.P.; Brian R. Price, Trustee of the Illg 2006 Family Irrevocable Trust; Ernst
    A. Illg and Brian R. Price, Co-Trustees of the Residuary Trust of Magdalene Illg;
    and Ernst A. Illg.1        The trial court quashed Objectors’ appeal as untimely.
    Specifically, it held that Objectors waived all issues with respect to Cutler’s final
    plan because they did not timely appeal the approval of the preliminary plan,
    which was substantially the same as the final plan. Objectors assert that they were
    deprived due process with respect to Cutler’s preliminary plan and, thus, its
    approval by the Township was void ab initio. Thus, their appeal of the final plan is
    timely. Discerning no merit to Objectors’ claims, we affirm.
    Background
    The underlying facts of this case are not in dispute. In 1997, Ernst
    Illg, Magdalene Illg, Richard Urwiller, Arthur Poley, Toni Pooling, Warrington
    Investments, Inc., R. Richard Stauffer, and Ted Kelman, all property owners in the
    Township’s Residential Agricultural District (RA District), filed curative
    amendment challenges to the zoning restrictions on their land. On February 18,
    1997, they entered into a settlement with the Township (1997 Agreement), which,
    inter alia, created transferrable development rights (TDRs)2 for their properties.
    The 1997 Agreement identified the maximum number of dwelling units that would
    be permitted, and it required the Township to “proceed promptly … to advertise
    and adopt the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map which are
    necessary to carry out [the 1997 Agreement].” 1997 Agreement at 10; R.R. 480a.
    1
    Intervenors participated in the trial court proceeding by filing notices of intervention on
    September 19, 2013. However, only Cutler presented evidence in that proceeding.
    2
    Objectors challenged the building restrictions imposed on their properties. By creating TDRs,
    which are severable from the land itself, Objectors could sell their development rights to other
    objectors seeking to develop their property. In this way, the Township was able to achieve its
    overall goal of controlling development in the Township. 1997 Agreement at 3-4; Reproduced
    Record at 473a-74a (R.R. __).
    2
    On July 15, 1997, the Board of Supervisors enacted Zoning Ordinance
    No. 97-0-6, which amended 13 provisions of the Warrington Township Zoning
    Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance).3 Zoning Ordinance No. 97-0-6 created three new
    RA Districts; provided for TDRs in the new districts; rezoned a portion of the R-3
    District to RA; and revised the zoning map. Zoning Ordinance No. 97-0-6 stated
    that its purpose was to settle the curative amendment challenge to the “three-acre
    zoning in the RA-Residential Agricultural District … and that it was in the best
    interests of [the Township’s] residents to settle the curative amendments with the
    challengers.” ZONING ORDINANCE No. 97-0-6, Whereas Clause at 1; R.R. 524a.
    On January 31, 2007, Cutler filed an application for subdivision and
    land development plan approval with the Township.           The application sought
    approval to subdivide a plot of land referred to as the “Illg Tract,” which consisted
    of a 74.94-acre parcel of land in the Township’s RA District. Specifically, the plan
    proposed to subdivide the Illg Tract into 95 single-family detached dwelling lots,
    using 59 TDRs purchased from other property owners.
    A dispute arose between the Township and Cutler over the
    methodology for determining the number of TDRs needed for its subdivision plan.
    To effect its development plan, Cutler planned to purchase TDRs from C&M
    Investor Partnership II (C&M). Because of the dispute, the transaction between
    C&M and Cutler stalled. As a result, C&M and two other interested parties filed
    suit in the trial court against the Township. On July 1, 2009, the parties settled the
    litigation with an agreement that established the methodology for determining the
    3
    WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE OF 1985, as amended, §§101-2509.
    3
    number of TDRs required in the applicable zoning district. This 2009 Agreement
    was approved by the trial court.
    On May 16, 2013, the Township Planning Commission (Planning
    Commission) considered, inter alia, Cutler’s application for preliminary
    subdivision plan approval.4 The minutes recorded the receipt of public comments.
    Objector Eric Thompson commented that he had not yet received all of the
    documentation on Cutler’s preliminary plan he had requested of the Township
    under the Right-to-Know Law;5 however, he reviewed documents at the Township
    building.
    The minutes also showed that Thompson complained that Cutler’s
    proposed development would reduce the flow of storm water to his property,
    thereby depriving his land of water. He also complained that the preliminary plan
    did not provide enough settlement basins, which would cause flooding on his
    property. Finally, he challenged the preliminary plan’s proposal to use a state park
    for emergency access, which was illegal, and for using an outdated traffic study
    from 2007.
    The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of Cutler’s
    preliminary plan. On May 28, 2013, the Board of Supervisors passed Resolution
    2013-R-27, thereby approving Cutler’s preliminary plan to subdivide the Illg Tract
    into 95 single-family detached dwelling lots by purchasing 59 TDRs.6 No party
    appealed the preliminary plan approval. Cutler then submitted its final subdivision
    4
    The minutes are contained in Part I of the Certified Record.
    5
    Act of February 14, 2008, P.L. 6, 65 P.S. §§67.101 – 67.3104.
    6
    Intervenors claim that Objectors were also present at this meeting, but Objectors do not address
    this contention.
    4
    plan.      On August 13, 2013, the Board of Supervisors approved the final
    subdivision and land development plan, which was substantially the same as the
    approved preliminary plan.
    On September 10, 2013, Objectors appealed the Board’s approval of
    the final plan.        Objectors claimed that the 1997 Agreement and the 1997
    amendments to the Zoning Ordinance prompted by that agreement were invalid.
    They also contended that the 2009 Agreement was invalid. Objectors argued that
    Cutler’s final plan violated several provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, which
    were impermissibly waived by the Board of Supervisors. Thus, Objectors asserted,
    the Board’s approval of Cutler’s preliminary subdivision plan was void ab initio.
    On September 9, 2015, Cutler filed a motion to quash Objectors’ land
    use appeal.        Cutler argued that Objectors did not allege that there was any
    substantial difference between the preliminary subdivision plan and the final plan.
    Because Objectors did not appeal the preliminary plan approval within 30 days,
    their land use appeal of the final plan was time-barred.
    In response, Objectors claimed that the Board of Supervisors’
    approval of Cutler’s preliminary subdivision plan was void ab initio because it was
    based on the 1997 Agreement, which was unconstitutional and circumvented the
    Zoning Board’s authority under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code
    (MPC).7 Thus, their appeal of the final plan approval was timely.
    On February 12, 2015, the trial court held a hearing on Cutler’s
    motion to require Objectors to post bond, which it requested for the stated reason
    that Objectors’ land use appeal was frivolous and the delay was causing it financial
    7
    Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, as amended, 53 P.S. §§10101 – 11202.
    5
    harm. The trial court denied the request for a bond. It then considered Cutler’s
    motion to quash the land use appeal.
    Cutler argued that Objectors were present at the meetings before the
    Commission and the Board of Supervisors, but they did not appeal the Board’s
    approval of Cutler’s preliminary plan. Cutler pointed out that Section 1002-A(a)
    of the MPC8 states that appeals of “all land use decisions … shall be filed within
    30 days[.]” 53 P.S. §11002-A. Cutler argued that because Objectors did not
    appeal the decision on the preliminary plan, their appeal was untimely and must be
    quashed.
    Objectors countered that they were exempt from the statutory appeal
    period. They claimed that the Board of Supervisors’ approval of Cutler’s plan was
    void ab initio because it was based upon the 1997 and 2009 Agreements, which
    were illegal. Objectors contended that the Township and the Board of Supervisors
    lacked authority to waive the zoning requirements as was done in the 1997 and
    2009 Agreements. They also argued that Cutler’s subdivision plan involved three
    parcels, i.e., Tax Parcels 12, 13 and 13-1.          However, the 1997 Agreement
    addressed only Parcel 13, not Parcel 12. The 2009 Agreement purported to cover
    the entire 75-acre Illg Tract, but the entire Illg Tract was not part of the 1997
    Agreement.
    Cutler responded that Objectors were missing the point. The 1997
    Agreement involved 35 acres of the Illg Tract for the purpose of establishing TDRs
    on that property that could be conveyed to other objectors. However, the entirety
    of the property could be developed by acquiring TDRs from other properties. This
    8
    Section 1002-A of the MPC was added by Section 101 of the Act of December 21, 1988, P.L.
    1329, as amended, 53 P.S. §11002-A(a).
    6
    was the purpose of the 2009 Agreement. Thus, Cutler argued, Objectors’ argument
    was meritless.
    Cutler presented the testimony of Thomas Gockowski, a professional
    engineer, who is employed by Carroll Engineering Corporation, the Township’s
    Engineer.     Gockowski personally reviewed Cutler’s preliminary plan.           He
    explained that when the Board of Supervisors approved the preliminary plan it
    directed the Township Engineer to meet with Objector Thompson, upon his
    request, to address his concerns regarding stormwater management. Gockowski
    testified that Thompson never requested a meeting.
    Gockowski reviewed the preliminary plan in accordance with the
    1997 Agreement, which granted TDRs to 35 acres of the Illg Tract. Gockowski
    pointed out that the Zoning Ordinance amendments were done to allow TDRs to be
    conveyed throughout the entire RA District, where the Illg Tract is located.
    Gockowski stated that he reviewed the final plan only to confirm that
    some required technical refinements had been made. No substantive changes were
    needed for final plan approval, and none were made. Gockowski testified that the
    final plan conformed in all respects with the Zoning Ordinance in effect at the time
    the subdivision plan was originally filed, which was in 2007. He testified that the
    Board of Supervisors did not waive any zoning requirements in its approval of the
    final plan.
    The trial court next conducted a hearing on February 27, 2015, to
    allow Objectors to present evidence. They presented the testimony of Thomas J.
    Comitta, a town planner and registered landscape architect. Comitta opined that
    because Parcel No. 12 was not identified in the 1997 Agreement, it could not be
    included in Cutler’s development. He also stated that 20 of the 95 lots in Cutler’s
    7
    plan did not comply with the Zoning Ordinance and would require a variance from
    the Zoning Board. Specifically, Lot 22 was non-compliant because it contained a
    wetland area. Lots 19, 20, and 21 were encumbered by a stream easement, which
    exceeds the Zoning Ordinance’s threshold on the degree to which partially
    unusable land can encumber a lot. Lots 1, 7, 8, 42 and 49 contain stream alluvial
    soils, requiring that they remain as open space. Lots 44, 45, 46, 52, 53, 58, 59, 60,
    73, 74, and 75 contain prime agricultural soils, on which the Zoning Ordinance
    does not permit any building.
    On cross-examination, Comitta acknowledged that the MPC requires
    that a subdivision plan be reviewed in accordance with the zoning ordinance in
    effect on the date the plan was submitted. Comitta also acknowledged that the
    Zoning Ordinance sections he cited in his testimony were enacted in 2008 and
    2011, well after Cutler filed its subdivision and land development plan.
    The trial court quashed Objectors’ appeal. It held that their failure to
    appeal the Board of Supervisors’ approval of Cutler’s preliminary plan within 30
    days barred its subsequent appeal of the final plan.                The trial court rejected
    Objectors’ argument that the Board’s approval of the preliminary plan was void ab
    initio, making their appeal timely. Objectors now appeal to this Court.9
    Appeal
    Objectors contend that the trial court erred. They contend that their
    appeal of the approval of the final subdivision and land development plan was not
    9
    Our standard of review in a land use appeal where the trial court has quashed, or dismissed, the
    appeal determines whether the trial court abused its discretion or committed an error of law.
    Highway Materials, Inc. v. Board of Supervisors of Whitemarsh Township, 
    974 A.2d 539
    , 543
    n.2 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2009). On questions of law, our scope of review is plenary. Kassouf v.
    Township of Scott, 
    883 A.2d 463
    , 469 (Pa. 2005).
    8
    untimely. They acknowledge the obligation to appeal a subdivision and land
    development plan at every stage.             However, Objectors contend the Board of
    Supervisors’ approvals were void ab initio, which entitles them to appeal the final
    plan.
    Analysis
    We begin with a review of the requirements that relate to an appeal of
    a subdivision and land development plan. Section 1002-A(a) of the MPC imposes
    a 30-day deadline on all land use appeals. It states:
    All appeals from all land use decisions rendered pursuant to
    Article IX [relating to the zoning hearing board and other
    administrative proceedings] shall be taken to the court of
    common pleas of the judicial district wherein the land is located
    and shall be filed within 30 days after entry of the decision as
    provided in 42 Pa.C.S. §5572 (relating to time of entry of order)
    or, in the case of a deemed decision, within 30 days after the
    date upon which notice of said deemed decision is given as set
    forth in section 908(9) of this act. It is the express intent of the
    General Assembly that, except in cases in which an
    unconstitutional deprivation of due process would result from
    its application, the 30-day limitation in this section should be
    applied in all appeals from decisions.
    53 P.S. §11002-A(a).10 “[A]ll land use decisions” have been construed to include
    the approval of a preliminary plan, even though it will always be followed by a
    10
    Objectors also claim that Section 5571.1 of the Judicial Code authorizes an exemption from
    the 30-day appeal period. 42 Pa. C.S. §5571.1. This section requires the party seeking an
    exemption to “establish[ ] that because of the particular nature of the alleged defect in statutory
    procedure, the application of the time limitation … would result in an impermissible deprivation
    of constitutional rights.” 42 Pa. C.S. §5571.1(c). The trial court found that Section 5571.1
    applied to appeals from ordinances, resolutions and similar actions of a political subdivision and
    was not applicable to land use appeals because Section 1002-A of the MPC mandates the appeal
    (Footnote continued on the next page . . .)
    9
    final plan before it can be implemented. See In re Busik, 
    759 A.2d 417
    (Pa.
    Cmwlth. 2000).
    In Busik, objectors appealed a final plan approval, even though they
    had not appealed the preliminary plan. This Court held that a preliminary plan that
    includes conditions constitutes a final decision. Thus, a failure to appeal the
    preliminary plan bars the appeal of a final plan that is substantially the same as the
    preliminary plan. 
    Busik, 759 A.2d at 421
    . This, we concluded, is the import of the
    language in Section 1002-A(a) of the MPC that “[a]ll appeals from all land use
    decisions ... shall be filed within 30 days after entry of the decision.” 53 P.S.
    §11002-A(a).
    In addition, as noted by Intervenors, Section 508(4)(i) of the MPC
    mandates that “when a preliminary application has been duly approved, the
    applicant shall be entitled to final approval in accordance with the terms of the
    approved preliminary application as hereinafter provided.” 53 P.S. §10508(4)(i).
    Stated another way, “final approval of a subdivision plan is automatic unless the
    final plan is different from the preliminary plan.” Graham v. Zoning Hearing
    Board of Upper Allen Township, 
    555 A.2d 79
    , 81 (Pa. 1989). Here, Cutler’s final
    subdivision plan was substantively the same as the preliminary plan and Objectors
    do not contend otherwise.
    Objectors acknowledge the need to appeal a decision on a preliminary
    plan within 30 days. However, Objectors focus on the exception set forth in the
    final sentence of Section 1002-A(a) of the MPC, which states:
    (continued . . .)
    period in land use appeals. We agree that Section 1002-A of the MPC applies in land use
    appeals. In any event, both statutes provide the same extension of the identical time period,
    where defects in the statutory procedure are alleged.
    10
    It is the express intent of the General Assembly that, except in
    cases in which an unconstitutional deprivation of due process
    would result from its application, the 30-day limitation in this
    section should be applied in all appeals from decisions.
    53 P.S. §11002-A(a). Objectors argue that not to permit their appeal of the final
    plan would deprive them of due process. Objectors support their due process
    exceptions with two cases: Glen-Gery Corporation v. Zoning Hearing Board of
    Dover Township, 
    907 A.2d 1033
    (Pa. 2006), and Luke v. Cataldi, 
    932 A.2d 45
    (Pa.
    2007).
    Glen-Gery involved a challenge to an ordinance several years after it
    was enacted. The zoning hearing board dismissed the challenge as untimely.
    However, the Supreme Court held that “a challenge to the procedure in enacting a
    statute or ordinance cannot be dismissed summarily as time-barred because, if the
    procedural defect implicating constitutional due process concerns such as notice
    were proven, it would render the statute void ab initio.” 
    Glen-Gery, 907 A.2d at 1044-45
    .
    In Luke, township residents filed a mandamus action to challenge the
    grant of conditional use permits issued to a mining company. The trial court
    dismissed the residents’ action as an untimely land use appeal, and this Court
    affirmed. The Supreme Court reversed for the stated reason that the residents
    alleged that the board of supervisors had not given notice to the public or held
    hearings on the mining permit applications. These allegations, if proven, would
    render the permits void ab initio. Accordingly, the Supreme Court remanded for
    further proceedings.
    Intervenors respond that these cases are inapposite. Objectors have
    not identified any defects in the process by which Cutler’s subdivision plan was
    11
    approved or in the procedures by which the Zoning Ordinance was amended in
    1997. Objectors refer the Court to Residents Against Matrix v. Lower Makefield
    Township, 
    802 A.2d 712
    (Pa. Cmwlth. 2002), on which the trial court relied.
    In Residents Against Matrix, the township and a developer entered
    into a master plan agreement for the development of a commercial and industrial
    office park. The developer then entered into an agreement with Matrix to purchase
    the property subject to the zoning ordinance being amended in accordance with the
    master plan. Following a public meeting, the board of supervisors approved the
    master plan agreement and amended the zoning ordinance. Six months later, a
    group of residents appealed, claiming that the township’s agreement to amend the
    zoning ordinance constituted a de facto amendment of the zoning ordinance and
    was void ab initio. The trial court quashed the residents’ land use appeal as
    untimely. Before this Court, the residents argued that the township could not, by
    contract with a third party, circumvent the zoning ordinance. This Court rejected
    their claim. We explained that under Section 1002-A of the MPC, the 30-day
    appeal deadline could be enlarged where a governing body has failed to comply
    with its statutory notice requirements, either with respect to an application or the
    adoption of zoning ordinance amendments.          A mere agreement to seek an
    ordinance amendment was not, itself, a zoning ordinance amendment and did not
    implicate a township citizen’s due process.
    Objectors baldly assert that the 1997 Agreement superseded the
    Zoning Ordinance.     It did not.   The 1997 Agreement was no more than an
    agreement by the Township to seek to amend the Zoning Ordinance. Objectors did
    not show that the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance did not comply with all
    notice requirements. Nor did they show that the review of Cutler’s subdivision
    12
    plan failed to follow the required statutory procedures. As in Residents Against
    Matrix, Objectors have not substantiated their claim that the approval of Cutler’s
    preliminary plan violated the Zoning Ordinance or any procedures in the MPC.
    Objectors advance several other void ab initio arguments. They are
    also unavailing.
    First, Objectors cite Part III, paragraph A of the 1997 Agreement,
    which states:
    Zoning Ordinance amendments adopted by the Township to
    implement the provisions of Part I of this Stipulation shall
    include provisions authorizing the Board to grant waivers from
    the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance consistent with the
    provision of this Part III, paragraph A.
    1997 Agreement at 31; R.R. 501a.11 Construing “Board” to mean the Board of
    Supervisors, Objectors argue that the 1997 Agreement unlawfully sought to divest
    11
    In full, Part III, paragraph A, states as follows:
    A. Modification of Development Criteria. Township recognizes that as a result
    of unique circumstances or conditions which may exist with respect to any one or
    more of the [properties at issue] it may not be possible for an applicant for
    subdivision approval to obtain the maximum number of dwelling units permitted
    under paragraph I.A. of this Stipulation. The Township may modify or waive any
    provision of the SALDO [Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance] which
    has the effect of impeding the ability to develop the maximum number of
    dwelling units permitted under paragraph I.A. of this Stipulation on any of the
    Properties. Prior to granting such waiver or modification, the Township shall
    satisfy itself that such modification or waiver will not adversely impact public
    health, safety, or the general welfare of the Township. Township may require the
    applicant to submit additional information to assist it in evaluating the requested
    waiver or modification. Zoning Ordinance amendments adopted by the Township
    to implement the provisions of Part I of this Stipulation shall include provisions
    authorizing the Board to grant waivers from the provisions of the Zoning
    Ordinance consistent with the provisions of this Part III, paragraph A.
    1997 Agreement at 30-31; R.R. 500a-01a.
    13
    the Zoning Board of jurisdiction and that the “Board” improperly gave Cutler
    zoning variances.
    Intervenors respond that “Board” refers to the Zoning Board. Further,
    although Objectors insist that the Board of Supervisors granted variances to Cutler,
    they have offered no evidence to support that claim.
    At the trial court hearing, Gockowski, who reviewed Cutler’s plan for
    the Township, testified that Cutler’s subdivision plan fully complied with the
    Zoning Ordinance.         Objectors’ witness, Comitta, conceded that the Zoning
    Ordinance provisions he cited were enacted after Cutler submitted its plan. As we
    have explained, under Section 508(4)(i) of the MPC, “an application for
    subdivision approval, whether preliminary or final, is governed by the ordinance in
    effect at the time the subdivision application was filed.” Miravich v. Township of
    Exeter, Berks County, 
    54 A.3d 106
    , 113 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2012).12
    Next, Objectors point to another sentence in the 1997 Agreement,
    which states:
    The provisions of this Stipulation shall control and shall be
    deemed to supersede any inconsistent provisions of this
    12
    Section 508(4)(i) states, in relevant part:
    (4) Changes in the ordinance shall affect plats as follows:
    (i) From the time an application for approval of a plat, whether
    preliminary or final, is duly filed as provided in the subdivision
    and land development ordinance, and while such application is
    pending approval or disapproval, no change or amendment of the
    zoning, subdivision or other governing ordinance or plan shall
    affect the decision on such application adversely to the applicant
    and the applicant shall be entitled to a decision in accordance with
    the provisions of the governing ordinances or plans as they stood at
    the time the application was duly filed.
    53 P.S. §10508(4)(i).
    14
    Ordinance, including the number of dwelling units calculated
    pursuant to Form 307, and the environmental restrictions set
    forth in Article III.
    1997 Agreement at 26; R.R. 496a.                  Objectors contend that the Board of
    Supervisors’ agreement to amend the Zoning Ordinance was unlawful because it
    did not comply with the statutory notice requirements. We reject the proposition
    that an agreement to propose a zoning amendment itself requires public notice to
    be valid. The time for public participation is during the ordinance adoption.13
    Objectors’ final claim is that the 1997 Agreement does not refer to
    Parcel 12, but only to Parcel 13.                Likewise, the 2007 Zoning Ordinance
    amendment refers to Parcel 13 and not Parcel 12. Again, Objectors do not explain
    why this claim, even if valid, renders the preliminary plan void ab initio.
    Cutler explained that the 1997 Agreement and subsequent amendment
    to the Zoning Ordinance allowed property owners in the RA District to use TDRs,
    which are defined as:
    [T]he attaching of development[] rights to specified lands
    which are desired by a municipality to be kept undeveloped, but
    permitting those rights to be transferred from those lands so that
    the development potential which they represent may occur on
    other lands where more intensive development is deemed to be
    appropriate.
    ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 97-0-6 at 1; R.R. 524a-25a. To develop the entire Illg
    Tract, Cutler purchased TDRs from C&M as authorized by the 2009 Agreement. It
    13
    In a one-paragraph argument, Objectors state that public notice and hearing requirements
    ensure the public’s right to participate in the consideration and enactment of land use ordinances;
    failure to provide for the required notice and hearing violates due process. This is a correct
    recital of the law, but Objectors do not specify at what point the Township, the Board of
    Supervisors or the Planning Commission violated this precept.
    15
    was not necessary that either the 1997 Agreement or the Zoning Ordinance
    amendments specify how the TDRs would be used in the future.
    Conclusion
    We affirm the trial court. Objectors did not appeal the approval of
    Cutler’s preliminary plan for subdivision and land development within 30 days. It
    is too late for them to challenge the final plan, which is the same as the preliminary
    plan. There is an exception to the 30-day deadline when the municipality has
    deprived an objector of due process by not complying with the statutory
    procedures that apply to the review of a land use application or to the adoption of a
    land use ordinance. However, Objectors have given the Court no grounds for
    applying the exception.
    For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm the trial court’s order.
    ______________________________________
    MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, President Judge
    16
    IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
    Eric R. Thompson and Lisa Del          :
    Gotto,                                 :
    Appellants            :
    :
    v.                        :   No. 1356 C.D. 2016
    :
    Board of Supervisors of Warrington :
    Township, The Cutler Group, Inc.,      :
    and Toll PA XIV, L.P., Brian R.        :
    Price, Trustee of the Illg 2006 Family :
    Irrevocable Trust and Ernst A. Illg    :
    and Brian R. Price Co-Trustees of      :
    the Residuary Trust of Magdalene       :
    Illg and Ernst A. Illg, Individually   :
    ORDER
    AND NOW, this 23rd day March, 2017, the order of the Court of
    Common Pleas of Bucks County in the above-captioned matter, dated June 30,
    2016, is AFFIRMED.
    ______________________________________
    MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, President Judge
    

Document Info

Docket Number: E.R. Thompson and L. Del Gotto v. Board of Supervisors of Warrington Twp - 1356 C.D. 2016

Judges: Leavitt, J.

Filed Date: 3/23/2017

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 3/23/2017