Farley v. Utah County , 440 P.3d 856 ( 2019 )


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    2019 UT App 45
    THE UTAH COURT OF APPEALS
    KENYON L. FARLEY AND IRENE FARLEY,
    Appellants,
    v.
    UTAH COUNTY,
    Appellee.
    Opinion
    No. 20161078-CA
    Filed March 28, 2019
    Fourth District Court, Provo Department
    The Honorable Claudia Laycock
    No. 150400689
    Vincent C. Rampton, Attorney for Appellants
    Jody K. Burnett and Robert C. Keller, Attorneys
    for Appellee
    JUDGE DIANA HAGEN authored this Opinion, in which
    JUDGES MICHELE M. CHRISTIANSEN FORSTER and JILL M. POHLMAN
    concurred.
    HAGEN, Judge:
    ¶1     Kenyon L. Farley and Irene Farley (collectively,
    the Farleys) submitted an application (the Application) to create
    an agriculture protection area to shield their land from any
    future zoning decisions and municipal regulations that would
    interfere with agricultural use. In response to the Application,
    Utah County’s Board of Commissioners (Utah County) received
    two modification requests (the Modification Requests), seeking
    to exclude portions of the Farleys’ land that might be needed to
    widen roads or install utility lines in the future. After
    considering the Application and the Modification Requests, Utah
    County approved a modified application that excluded the
    challenged portions from the agriculture protection area. The
    Farley v. Utah County
    Farleys appealed the decision to the district court, which granted
    summary judgment in favor of Utah County. The Farleys now
    appeal the district court’s order, arguing that under state and
    local law, Utah County lacked discretion to do anything except
    approve the Application. We affirm.
    BACKGROUND 1
    ¶2     The Farleys are landowners in Utah County. In 2014, they
    submitted the Application to Utah County, requesting the
    creation of an agriculture protection area. An agriculture
    protection area is a geographic area that is granted “specific legal
    protections,” 
    Utah Code Ann. § 17-41-101
    (3) (LexisNexis 2017),
    intended to exempt the land from zoning decisions and
    municipal regulations that would restrict farming practices, see
    
    id.
     § 17-41-402 (limitations on local regulations); id. § 17-41-403
    (nuisances); id. § 17-41-404 (policy of state agencies); id. § 17-41-
    405 (eminent domain restrictions); id. § 17-41-406 (restrictions on
    state development projects). Soon thereafter, Utah County
    received the Modification Requests. First, Payson City Municipal
    Corporation and Payson City Power and Light (collectively,
    Payson) requested that Utah County exclude from the protected
    area an easement where Payson intended to install a utility line
    at an undetermined time in the future. Second, the Utah County
    Engineer’s Office (the Engineer’s Office) requested that Utah
    County exclude rights-of-way for two roads currently crossing a
    portion of the proposed agriculture protection area because,
    according to Utah County’s General Plan, these roads had been
    identified as collector and arterial roads that may be widened at
    an unspecified time.
    1. “In reviewing a district court’s grant of summary judgment,
    we view the facts and all reasonable inferences drawn therefrom
    in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and recite the
    facts accordingly.” Far West Bank v. Robertson, 
    2017 UT App 213
    ,
    ¶ 2 n.4, 
    406 P.3d 1134
     (quotation simplified).
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    Farley v. Utah County
    ¶3    Pursuant to Utah law, the Application and the
    Modification Requests were referred to the Utah County
    Agriculture Protection Area Advisory Board (the Advisory
    Board) and the Utah County Planning Commission (the
    Planning Commission) for their separate review, comments, and
    recommendations. Ultimately, the Advisory Board and the
    Planning Commission returned conflicting recommendations.
    The Advisory Board recommended that the Application be
    approved as originally submitted, while the Planning
    Commission recommended that it be approved with the
    Modification Requests.
    ¶4    Utah County considered the conflicting recommendations
    at four public hearings. While the Application was under
    consideration, Utah County and the Farleys discussed potential
    agreements designed to address the concerns raised by Payson
    and the Engineer’s Office about the potential need to acquire
    property to widen roads or install utility lines, but no agreement
    was reached. Consequently, Utah County considered the
    Application along with the Modification Requests.
    ¶5     In a two-to-one decision, Utah County approved the
    Application with the Modification Requests, concluding that its
    decision was warranted under Utah Code section 17-41-305,
    which, among other things, required it to consider “anticipated
    trends in agricultural and technological conditions.” 
    Id.
     § 17-41-
    305(5)(a). Utah County acknowledged that although it wanted to
    afford the Farleys the protections guaranteed to real property
    within agriculture protection areas, it also had a duty to protect
    previously planned corridors. In balancing these conflicting
    interests, Utah County determined that approving the
    Application without the Modification Requests would not be in
    the best interests of the general welfare, health, and safety of its
    citizens.
    ¶6    The Farleys filed a complaint with the district court,
    appealing the decision to exclude portions of their property from
    the agriculture protection area. In the complaint, the Farleys
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    Farley v. Utah County
    alleged that Utah County’s decision: (1) was arbitrary,
    capricious, and contrary to the law; (2) violated their due process
    rights; (3) violated their equal protection rights; and (4) entitled
    them to relief under 
    42 U.S.C. § 1983
    . In addition, relying on 
    42 U.S.C. § 1988
    , the Farleys requested all costs and attorney fees.
    ¶7      Utah County and the Farleys filed cross-motions for
    summary judgment. After hearing argument on the motions, the
    district court granted summary judgment in favor of Utah
    County. In its order, the district court first determined that the
    governing statutes provided Utah County with discretion in
    deciding whether to approve the Application with or without
    the Modification Requests, and that, at a minimum, Utah
    County’s decision was reasonably debatable. Second, the court
    concluded that because the Farleys had only a unilateral
    expectation that Utah County would approve the Application
    without the Modification Requests, their due process rights had
    not been violated. Finally, the court determined that the Farleys
    had failed to demonstrate that they had been treated differently
    from similarly situated landowners and that Utah County had
    acted with personal animus to deny them equal protection of the
    laws. The district court did not address the Farleys’ claims under
    § 1983 and § 1988.
    ¶8     The Farleys appeal.
    ISSUE AND STANDARD OF REVIEW
    ¶9     The Farleys contend the district court erred in granting
    summary judgment in favor of Utah County. Summary
    judgment is appropriate only when “there is no genuine dispute
    as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to
    judgment as a matter of law.” Utah R. Civ. P. 56(a). On appeal,
    we review a district court’s grant of summary judgment for
    correctness, affording no deference to the court’s legal
    conclusions. See Baker v. Park City Mun. Corp., 
    2017 UT App 190
    ,
    ¶ 12, 
    405 P.3d 962
    .
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    Farley v. Utah County
    ANALYSIS
    ¶10 The Farleys’ challenge to the district court’s ruling
    presents three issues for our consideration. First, they contend
    that Utah County exceeded its discretion in approving the
    Application with modifications. Specifically, the Farleys argue
    that under the Agricultural and Industrial Protection Areas Act
    (the Act), see generally 
    Utah Code Ann. §§ 14-41-101
     to -503
    (LexisNexis 2017), Utah County was required to approve the
    Application without modification and that failure to do so was
    contrary to law. Second, the Farleys contend that Utah County
    violated their due process rights. Finally, the Farleys argue that
    Utah County’s decision to modify and approve the Application
    denied them equal protection of the laws. 2 We address each
    argument in turn.
    I. Statutory Interpretation
    ¶11 The Farleys contend that Utah County acted contrary to
    law when it approved the Application subject to the
    Modification Requests. The parties dispute whether Utah
    County’s action was a legislative or adjudicative decision, which
    2. The Farleys also argue that they “should have been permitted
    to pursue their claims under 
    42 U.S.C. § 1983
    .” The Farleys
    concede that a § 1983 claim “is dependent on the deprivation of
    rights secured by the Constitution and law of the United States”
    and assert that the reasons set forth in their arguments relating
    to due process and equal protection show that they were
    deprived of their rights secured by the United States
    Constitution and federal law. See 
    42 U.S.C. § 1983
     (2012). Because
    we conclude that the Farleys have not established that Utah
    County deprived them of “any rights, privileges, or immunities
    secured by the Constitution,” their § 1983 claims fail as a matter
    of law. See id.; see also see infra ¶¶ 24–29. For that reason, they are
    not entitled to attorney fees under § 1988.
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    Farley v. Utah County
    would impact the degree of deference afforded to that decision. 3
    Even assuming, without deciding, that the decision was
    adjudicative, as the Farley’s contend, this court must presume
    that the decision was valid and uphold the decision unless it
    was (A) illegal or (B) arbitrary and capricious. See 
    Utah Code Ann. § 17
    -27a-801(3) (LexisNexis Supp. 2018). The Farleys have
    not established either basis for overturning Utah County’s
    decision.
    A.     Utah County’s Decision Was Not Illegal
    ¶12 The Farleys’ primary argument is that Utah County’s
    decision was illegal. A land use decision is illegal if it is
    “(A) based on an incorrect interpretation of a land use
    regulation; or (B) contrary to law.” 
    Utah Code Ann. § 17
    -27a-
    801(3)(c)(ii) (LexisNexis Supp. 2018). The Farleys argue that it
    was undisputed that all portions of their property met the
    criteria listed in Utah Code section 17-41-305 and, as a matter of
    law, Utah County could do nothing but approve the Application
    without modification. In other words, they argue that Utah
    County had no discretion to make the decision it made. We
    disagree.
    ¶13 When interpreting a statute, our goal is to give effect to
    the legislature’s intent in light of the statute’s intended purpose.
    See Garfield County v. United States, 
    2017 UT 41
    , ¶ 15, 
    424 P.3d 46
    .
    “The best evidence of the legislature’s intent is the plain
    language of the statute itself.” 
    Id.
     (quotation simplified). Where
    the statute’s plain language is unambiguous, we need not look to
    3. Land use regulations enacted by a legislative body are
    reviewed under a “reasonably debatable” standard, whereas
    adjudicative land use decisions are reviewed under an “arbitrary
    and capricious” standard that requires the decision to be
    “supported by substantial evidence in the record.” 
    Utah Code Ann. § 17
    -27a-801(3)(a)–(c) (LexisNexis Supp. 2018).
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    Farley v. Utah County
    secondary considerations, such as legislative history. See Harvey
    v. Cedar Hills City, 
    2010 UT 12
    , ¶ 15, 
    227 P.3d 256
    .
    ¶14 The mere fact that both parties can articulate alternative
    interpretations of the statutory language is not enough to create
    an ambiguity. “Where both sides offer conceivable constructions
    of the language in question . . . the statutory text may not be
    ‘plain’ when read in isolation, but may become so in light of its
    linguistic, structural, and statutory context.” Olsen v. Eagle
    Mountain City, 
    2011 UT 10
    , ¶ 9, 
    248 P.3d 465
     (quotation
    simplified). Accordingly, “a proposed interpretation that is
    plausible in isolation may . . . lose its persuasive effect when we
    seek to harmonize it with the rest of the statutory scheme.”
    Oliver v. Utah Labor Comm’n, 
    2017 UT 39
    , ¶ 21, 
    424 P.3d 22
    (quotation simplified). With these principles in mind, we turn to
    the case before us.
    ¶15 To understand the procedure for evaluating and
    approving applications for the creation of agriculture protection
    areas, we begin with an overview of the relevant sections of the
    Act. Upon receiving an application for an agriculture protection
    area, the applicable legislative body shall provide notice to the
    public, advising that persons or entities affected by the creation
    of the area may file written objections or modification requests.
    See generally 
    Utah Code Ann. § 17-41-302
     (LexisNexis 2017). In
    addition, the notice must indicate that the legislative body will
    hold a hearing at which it will discuss or hear public comment
    on the application as a whole. 
    Id.
     § 17-41-302(2)(e)–(f).
    ¶16 After notice has been provided, the application and any
    proposed modifications are then referred to the Advisory Board
    and the Planning Commission for their review, comments, and
    recommendation. Id. § 17-41-303(1). As part of their review, the
    Advisory Board and the Planning Commission shall submit a
    written report that:
    •   “analyzes and evaluates the proposal by applying
    the criteria contained in Section 17-41-305”;
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    Farley v. Utah County
    •   “recommends any modifications to the land to be
    included in the proposed agriculture protection
    area . . .”;
    •   “analyzes and evaluates any objections to the
    proposal; and”
    •   “includes a recommendation to the applicable
    legislative body either to accept, accept and
    modify, or reject the proposal.”
    
    Id.
     § 17-41-303(2)(a)(ii)–(v), (2)(b)(ii)–(iv). The relevant criteria
    contained in section 17-41-305 that are to be analyzed and
    evaluated in the agency’s report are: (1) “whether or not the land
    is currently being used for agriculture production”; (2) “whether
    or not the land is zoned for agriculture use”; (3) “whether or not
    the land is viable for agriculture production”; (4) “the extent and
    nature of existing or proposed farm improvements”; and
    (5) “anticipated trends in agricultural and technological
    conditions.” Id. § 17-41-305. In addition to these common factors
    evaluated by both agencies, the Planning Commission must also
    “analyze[] and evaluate[] the effect of the creation of the
    proposed area on the planning policies and objectives of the
    county or municipality.” Id. § 17-41-303(2)(a)(i).
    ¶17 After receiving both reports and holding a public hearing,
    the applicable legislative body must then decide whether to
    “approve, modify and approve, or reject” the application. Id.
    § 17-41-304(3)(a).   Here,     after     receiving  conflicting
    recommendations from the Advisory Board and the Planning
    Commission, as well as holding four public hearings, Utah
    County elected to modify and approve the Application—a
    decision we conclude it had the discretion to make.
    ¶18 Contrary to the Farleys’ interpretation, Utah County was
    not required to approve the Application without modification so
    long as each portion of their land met the criteria set out in
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    Farley v. Utah County
    section 17-41-305. While this proposed interpretation may
    appear plausible in isolation, it loses its persuasive effect when
    read in conjunction with sections 17-41-303 and 17-41-304. See
    Oliver, 
    2017 UT 39
    , ¶ 21.
    ¶19 Utah Code section 17-41-305 provides that certain criteria
    shall be considered by the legislative body “in determining
    whether or not to create or recommend the creation of an
    agriculture protection area,” but it does not mandate approval of
    an application that meets all five criteria. See 
    Utah Code Ann. § 17-41-305
     (LexisNexis 2017). And not all of the criteria
    enumerated in Utah Code section 17-41-305 can be objectively
    met. While the considerations presented in subsections (1)–(3)
    are based on existing conditions and can be answered in either
    the affirmative or the negative, those presented in subsections
    (4)–(5) cannot. Instead, the latter criteria are more
    forward-looking inquiries that require the Advisory Board, the
    Planning Commission, and the legislative body to analyze
    “existing and proposed farm improvements” and “anticipated
    trends in agricultural and technological conditions.” 
    Id.
     § 17-41-
    305(4)–(5) If the criteria in section 17-41-305 could be
    mechanically applied and if approval followed automatically
    whenever those criteria were met, there would be little need for
    two agencies to separately review the application and make
    recommendations, and for the legislative body to hold a public
    hearing and then decide whether to “approve, modify and
    approve, or reject” an application. See id. § 17-41-304(3)(a).
    ¶20 Moreover, the statutory scheme does not limit the
    Advisory Board and the Planning Commission to offering their
    assessment on whether the criteria under section 17-41-305 are
    satisfied. Indeed, the Planning Commission is require to also
    “analyze[] and evaluate[] the effect of the creation of the
    proposed area on the planning policies and objectives of the
    county or municipality.” Id. § 17-41-303(2)(a)(i). Such a
    requirement would be meaningless if the legislative body that
    reviews the Planning Commission’s report could not consider
    that factor. Because the Act requires an evaluation of factors
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    Farley v. Utah County
    beyond those criteria listed in section 17-41-305, the statutory
    scheme as a whole does not support the conclusion that an
    application must be approved if those five criteria are
    “satisfied.” Therefore, the plain language of the Act
    unambiguously grants Utah County discretion in deciding
    whether to approve and modify the creation of an agriculture
    protection area. 4
    B.    Utah County’s      Decision    Was      Not    Arbitrary   and
    Capricious
    ¶21 The Farleys also contend that Utah County’s decision was
    arbitrary and capricious. “A decision is arbitrary and capricious
    if the decision is not supported by substantial evidence in the
    record.” 
    Utah Code Ann. § 17
    -27a-801(3)(c)(i) (LexisNexis Supp.
    2018). Substantial evidence “is that quantum and quality of
    relevant evidence that is adequate to convince a reasonable mind
    to support a conclusion.” Associated Gen. Contractors v. Board of
    Oil, Gas & Mining, 
    2001 UT 112
    , ¶ 21, 
    38 P.3d 291
     (quotation
    simplified).
    ¶22 Here, the Farleys contend Utah County made no findings
    to support its decision that the modifications to the Application
    were appropriate, and “[t]o the extent that factual findings were
    made,” “all findings of fact went in [the Farleys] favor.” “To
    determine whether substantial evidence supports [Utah
    County’s] decision, we consider all of the evidence in the record
    4. Our interpretation of the Act is not negated by the Farleys’
    allegation that Utah County’s decision was based solely on its
    desire to subvert the additional protections afforded by sections
    17-41-405 and 17-41-406, because, significantly, those protections
    are afforded only after the land has been included “within an
    agriculture protection area.” See 
    Utah Code Ann. §§ 17-41
    -
    405(1)–(2), -406(1), (3) (LexisNexis 2017). Put differently, an
    application to create an agriculture protection area must be
    approved before those protections are implicated.
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    Farley v. Utah County
    but do not weigh the evidence anew or substitute our judgment
    for that of the municipality.” See LJ Mascaro Inc. v. Herriman City,
    
    2018 UT App 127
    , ¶ 20, 
    428 P.3d 4
     (quotation simplified). We
    will not disturb Utah County’s decision “so long as a reasonable
    mind could reach the same conclusion.” 
    Id.
     (quotation
    simplified). Given the nature of our review of Utah County’s
    decision, “it is incumbent upon [the Farleys] . . . to marshal all of
    the evidence in support thereof and show that despite the
    supporting facts, and in light of conflicting or contradictory
    evidence, the decision is not supported by substantial evidence.”
    See Carlsen v. Board of Adjustment of City of Smithfield, 
    2012 UT App 260
    , ¶ 5, 
    287 P.3d 440
     (quotation simplified).
    ¶23 The Farleys have made no effort to marshal any of the
    numerous findings made by Utah County in support of its
    decision. Nor have they marshalled any “conflicting or
    contradictory evidence” in support of their argument to show
    that Utah County’s decision was not based on substantial
    evidence. See 
    id.
     (quotation simplified). “By failing to address the
    evidence that supports [Utah County’s] decision” or “conflicting
    or contradictory evidence,” see id. ¶¶ 5, 7 (quotation simplified),
    the Farleys have failed to carry their burden of persuasion on
    appeal, see Utah Physicians for a Healthy Env’t v. Executive Dir. of
    the Utah Dep’t of Envtl. Quality, 
    2016 UT 49
    , ¶ 20, 
    391 P.3d 148
    (explaining that an appellant’s failure to marshal record
    evidence is no longer a “technical deficiency,” but such failure
    “will almost certainly” result in the appellant’s “fail[ure] to carry
    its burden of persuasion on appeal” (quotation simplified)).
    II. Due Process
    ¶24 The Farleys next contend that Utah County violated their
    substantive due process rights. Among other protections, the
    Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from “depriv[ing] any
    person of . . . property, without due process of law.” U.S. Const.
    amend. XIV, § 1. “Procedural due process ensures the state will
    not deprive a party of property without engaging fair
    procedures to reach a decision, while substantive due process
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    Farley v. Utah County
    ensures the state will not deprive a party of property for an
    arbitrary reason regardless of the procedures used to reach that
    decision.” Hyde Park Co. v. Santa Fe City Council, 
    226 F.3d 1207
    ,
    1210 (10th Cir. 2000).
    ¶25 To prevail on either a procedural or substantive due
    process claim, “a plaintiff must first establish that a defendant’s
    actions deprived plaintiff of a protectable property interest.” Zia
    Shadows, LLC v. Las Cruces City, 
    829 F.3d 1232
    , 1237 (10th Cir.
    2016) (quotation simplified). The United States Supreme Court
    has stated that a “property interest” is “more than a unilateral
    expectation”; instead, it is a “legitimate claim of entitlement.”
    Board of Regents v. Roth, 
    408 U.S. 564
    , 577 (1972); see also Petersen
    v. Riverton City, 
    2010 UT 58
    , ¶ 22, 
    243 P.3d 1261
     (“A property
    interest exists only where existing rules and understandings that
    stem from an independent source such as state law secure
    certain benefits and support claims of entitlement to those
    benefits.” (quotation simplified)). In municipal land use
    regulation cases, such as this, the entitlement analysis focuses
    “on the degree of discretion given the decision maker.” Hyde
    Park, 
    226 F.3d at 1210
     (quotation simplified). Therefore, the
    Farleys must demonstrate that state and local law establish
    specific conditions, “the fulfillment of which would give rise to a
    legitimate expectation” that Utah County would approve the
    Application as submitted. See 
    id.
     (quotation simplified).
    ¶26 The Farleys contend that a landowner has “the right to
    approval of a development or other land-related application ‘if
    his proposed development meets the zoning requirements in
    existence at the time of his application and if he proceeds with
    reasonable diligence, absent a compelling, countervailing public
    interest.’” (Quoting Western Land Equities, Inc. v. Logan City, 
    617 P.2d 388
    , 396 (Utah 1980).) Specifically, they argue that because
    all portions of their property satisfied the factors set out in Utah
    Code section 17-41-305—the law in effect at the time—the
    Application was entitled to a favorable decision from Utah
    County, that is, approval without the Modification Requests.
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    ¶27 The Farleys’ reliance on section 17-41-305 alone is
    misplaced. As discussed, supra ¶¶ 15–17, approval of
    applications for agriculture protection zone status is governed
    by sections 17-41-303 through 17-41-305. Significantly, under
    section 17-41-304, Utah County had discretion to “approve,
    modify and approve, or reject” the Application. See 
    Utah Code Ann. § 17-41-304
    (3)(a) (LexisNexis 2017). In addition, the Act
    allows “any person or entity affected by the establishment of the
    area” to file written objections and proposed modifications, see
    
    id.
     § 17-41-302(2)(c), which the Advisory Board and the Planning
    Commission “shall” consider when compiling their report to the
    applicable legislative body, see id. § 17-41-303(2)(a). And
    although it may be true that section 17-41-305 requires that
    municipalities consider certain enumerated criteria in reviewing
    applications, the Act does not provide that fulfillment of those
    criteria strips municipalities of discretion and mandates
    approval. See generally id. §§ 17-41-303, -304, -305. Indeed, the
    criteria under subsection 17-41-303(2) relating to the Planning
    Commission’s and the Advisory Board’s analysis of “objections”
    to an application and their discretion to “recommend . . . either
    to accept, accept and modify, or reject” an application are not
    conditions that can be objectively satisfied, as the Farleys argue,
    but are subjective considerations that those entities must take
    into account when reviewing an application. See id. § 17-41-
    303(2); see also supra ¶ 19.
    ¶28 Because the Act does not require approval of the
    Application if definitive conditions are met, the Farleys had no
    legitimate claim of entitlement to the creation of an agriculture
    protection area. Instead, the Farleys had only a unilateral
    expectation that Utah County would approve the Application
    without the Modification Requests, not a protectable property
    interest necessary to assert a due process claim.
    III. Equal Protection
    ¶29 Relying on the “class of one” theory established in Village
    of Willowbrook v. Olech, 
    528 U.S. 562
     (2000) (per curiam), the
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    Farley v. Utah County
    Farleys next contend that Utah County violated their equal
    protection rights by singling them out for disparate treatment
    without a rational basis to do so. See id. at 564 (quotation
    simplified). Under the “class of one” theory, it is the Farleys’
    burden to show that: (1) they have “been intentionally treated
    differently from others similarly situated” and (2) “there is no
    rational basis for the difference in treatment.” See id. (quotation
    simplified).
    ¶30 The Farleys have presented no evidence showing that
    similarly situated landowners applying for agriculture
    protection area status were treated more favorably by Utah
    County. Their equal protection claim rests entirely on a
    statement made by a county deputy attorney who was asked by
    the County Commissioners “whether similar measures have
    previously been taken for agriculture protection areas.” In
    response, the deputy attorney stated, “[N]ot to his knowledge.”
    ¶31 The Farleys cannot carry their burden based on the
    deputy attorney’s statement alone. The statement does not speak
    to whether similarly-situated applicants exist and, if so, whether
    those applicants were treated more favorably than the Farleys. In
    arguing that neither Utah County nor the district court identified
    a single applicant that was treated like them, the Farleys have
    attempted to shift the burden of proof. But it is the Farleys who
    must establish that similarly-situated landowners received more
    favorable treatment, and it is insufficient for them to allege that
    they were a “trial balloon” or a case of “first impression.”
    Instead, they must identify comparators that are “similarly
    situated in all material respects,” which is a “substantial burden”
    in this context because “each property has unique
    characteristics.” See Kansas Penn Gaming, LLC v. Collins, 
    656 F.3d 1210
    , 1217–18 (10th Cir. 2011); 
    id. at 1218
     (stating that this
    requirement prevents “a flood of claims in that area of
    government action where discretion is high and variation is
    common”). Because the Farleys have failed to identify facts that
    tend to demonstrate that they were treated differently from
    other similarly situated landowners, their equal protection claim
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    Farley v. Utah County
    fails as a matter of law, and we need not address whether there
    was a rational basis for Utah County’s decision.
    CONCLUSION
    ¶32 We conclude that Utah County was entitled to summary
    judgment as a matter of law. First, under the Act, Utah County
    had discretion to modify the Application for the creation of an
    agriculture protection area and the Farleys have not
    demonstrated that Utah County exercised that discretion in an
    arbitrary and capricious manner. Second, due to that discretion,
    the Farleys had only a unilateral expectation of a favorable
    decision, which is insufficient to establish a due process claim.
    Finally, we conclude that the Farleys did not make the necessary
    showing to establish an equal protection claim. Accordingly, we
    affirm.
    20161078-CA                   15                
    2019 UT App 45