Couture SD ( 2015 )

STATE OF VERMONT
SUPERIOR COURT ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION
Vermont Unit Docket No. 53-4-14 Vtec
Couture Subdivision Permit DECISION ON MOTION
Before the Court on appeal is a decision by the Town of Ferrisburgh Planning
Commission (“Planning Commission”) granting Jacqueline Couture (“Applicant”) approval to
reconfigure and further subdivide an existing two lot subdivision at 70 Locust Lane in the Town
of Ferrisburgh, Vermont (“the Project”). Barry Estabrook and Rux Martin (“Appellants”), who
own and occupy property adjacent to the subject property, timely appealed that decision to
this Court and filed a Statement of Questions consisting of seven Questions. Applicant filed a
Motion seeking Summary Judgment in her favor or dismissal of all seven Questions. In a
Decision dated February 23, 2015, this Court dismissed Questions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Also by
our Decision dated February 23, 2015, this Court directed Appellants to clarify Question 1 and
specifically state the provisions and criteria for which they seek review within 10 business days
of the date of that Decision and indicated our intent to dismiss Question 1 in the event
Appellants failed to clarify the Question by that date or if the issues presented were beyond the
scope of this appeal.
Discussion
On March 6, 2015 Appellants filed a clarification of Question 1, containing seven
sections, generally asking whether the Project complies with the Town of Ferrisburgh
Subdivision Regulations (“Regulations”) §§ 250.5, 210, 410.5, 410.1, 420.3, 420.7, and 450. For
ease of discussion, we consider each of these sections as a subsection of Question 1. In
response to Appellants’ clarification, Applicant filed a Motion for Judgment on April 3, 2015,
asking that the Court dismiss Appellants’ clarified Question 1. We review this motion for
judgment as a matter of law under Vermont Rule of Civil Procedure 56.
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In ruling on Applicant’s motion, we must assume the factual allegations made by
Appellants are true, view those facts in the light most favorable to Appellants, and can only
grant judgment to Applicant if she has shown that based on those facts she is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law. Robertson v. Mylan Labs., Inc., 2004 VT 15, ¶ 15, 176 Vt. 356(internal citations omitted); V.R.C.P. 56(c) (laying out summary judgment procedures). It is with
these procedural guidelines in mind that we review the subsets of Appellants’ revised
Question 1.
I. Question 1(1): Regulations § 250.5
Regulations § 250.5 requires review of the “practicability of the preliminary plat” and
provides that “[p]articular attention shall be given to . . . the requirements of the
Comprehensive Development Plan.” By their clarified Question 1(a), Appellants argue that
Applicant has a burden to demonstrate how the Project complies with requirements from the
Town Plan discouraging development in the area of the Project. (Appellants’ Clarification at 2,
filed Mar. 6, 2015). Applicant asks this Court to dismiss Question 1(1) for several reasons. First
Applicant states that Question 1(1) should be dismissed because Appellants’ clarification does
little to clarify the Question as they have failed to cite a particular provision of the Town Plan,
leaving both the Court and the parties without notice of what issues to prepare for trial.
Second, Applicant argues that Appellants are incorrect that the Town Plan discourages
development in the area of the Property. Finally, Applicant argues that § 250.5 is too vague to
be an enforceable standard applied in evaluating subdivision applications.
Any statement of questions informs the parties of the issues being appealed and
establishes the scope of the appeal. In re Frostbite Mine, No. 12-1-11 Vtec, slip op. at 1-2 (Vt.
Super. Ct. Envtl. Div. Nov. 3, 2011) (Durkin, J.). Furthermore, the Court and opposing parties
“are entitled to a statement of questions that is not vague or ambiguous, but is sufficiently
definite so that they are able to know what issues to prepare for trial.” In re Unified Buddhist
Church, Inc., Indirect Discharge Permit, No. 253-10-06 Vtec, slip op. at 5 (Vt. Envtl. Ct. May 11,
2007) (Wright, J.). The Court agrees with Applicant that Appellants’ clarification in Question
1(a) does little to provide Applicant or this Court with notice of what issues to prepare for trial.
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Question 1(1) essentially rephrases Appellants original Question 1, which asked whether
the Project satisfies the Regulations, so that it now asks whether the Project satisfies the Town
Plan. As in their original Question 1, Appellants do not cite any specific sections of the Town
Plan; rather, they merely raise the issue of compliance with the Town Plan generally.
Furthermore, like the Applicant, the Court does not find a section of the Town Plan that
discourages development in the area of the Project. In fact, the Town Plan designates the area
in which the Property is located as a Rural Residential Land Use Planning area. Ferrisburgh
Town Plan at 63. According to the Town Plan, the character of the Rural Residential areas are
“rural with relatively low to medium densities (for Ferrisburgh) or clustered development,
typically close to town roads. . . . Year-round family dwellings are the intended use for this
district. . . .” Id. at 66. Without further explanation, neither the Court nor the parties are able
to determine what issues to prepare for trial. Question 1(1) is, therefore, DISMISSED. Having
dismissed Question 1(1) for the above reasons, we need not address whether § 250.5 is too
vague to be an enforceable.
II. Question 1(2): Regulations § 210
Regulations § 210 requires subdivision approval before “grading, clearing, construction
or other improvement is undertaken.” By their clarified Question 1(2), Appellants argue that
Applicant violated this section of the Regulations by proceeding with the excavation of two
septic fields, a driveway, a foundation, and construction of a modular home prior to obtaining
subdivision approval. (Appellants’ Clarification at 2). Applicant asks this Court to dismiss
Question 1(b) because matters concerning septic fields are outside this Court’s jurisdiction, as
indicated in this Court’s February 23 Decision, and because the listed activities were conducted
pursuant to Zoning Permit 13-101, issued by the Town of Ferrisburgh Zoning Administrator on
October 15, 2013.
We agree with Applicant that matters related to septic fields are outside this Court’s
jurisdiction. Furthermore, whether Applicant’s construction is or is not in compliance with
Zoning Permit 13-101 is a matter of first instance for the Town of Ferrisburgh Zoning
Administrator, and not this Court. 24 V.S.A. §§ 4451, 4452. The sole issue in this de novo
appeal is whether Applicant is entitled to a subdivision permit. Any alleged violations of the
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Regulations must come to the Court through a properly initiated enforcement action. For these
reasons, Appellants’ clarified Question 1(2) is DISMISSED.
III. Question 1(3): Regulations § 410.1
Regulations § 410.1 states that “[a]ll land to be subdivided shall be, in the judgment of
the Commission, of such a character that it can be used for building purposes without danger to
public health or safety, or to the environment. Land subject to periodic flooding, poor drainage
. . . shall not ordinarily be subdivided.” By their Question 1(3), Appellants argue that the Project
should not be subdivided because the Property is “low, portions of it flood annually, and
according to claims made by the engineer who installed the septic mounds, nearly all of it has
poor drainage.” Applicant argues that § 410.1 is too vague for this Court to apply to review of
an application, that Appellants have no standing to raise this argument because the Property’s
susceptibility to flooding has no impact on Appellants’ land, and that regardless, the Property is
free of hydric soils1 and is not located in either wetlands or a FEMA Flood Hazard Area, as
designated by the Town Plan.
We first address whether § 410.1 is enforceable or unconstitutionally vague. When
reviewing a municipal land use decision, we begin with the presumption that a zoning
regulation is constitutional. In re Highlands Development Co., LLC, No. 194-10-03 Vtec, slip op.
at 13 (Vt. Envtl. Ct. Feb. 2, 2010) (Wright, J.) (citing Hunter v. State, 2004 VT 108, ¶ 31, 177 Vt.
339). Our approach to complaints of “standardless, arbitrary discretion focuses on the criteria
for due process and equal protection.” In re Pierce Subdivision Application, 2008 VT 100, ¶ 19,
184 Vt. 365 (citing In re Handy, 171 Vt. 336, 345-46 (2000)). We will consider two factors to
determine whether a regulation is void for vagueness and thus unconstitutional. First, we
consider whether the regulation is “sufficiently precise that an ordinary person using the means
available and ordinary common sense can understand the meaning and comply” and does not
leave an applicant “uncertain as to what factors are to be considered by the [municipal panel].”
Rogers v. Watson, 156 Vt. 483, 491 (1991) (citing Brody v. Barasch, 155 Vt. 103, 111 (1990);
Town of Westford v. Kilburn, 131 Vt. 120, 124 (1973). Second, we consider whether the
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As defined by the Town Plan, hydric soils are those “perpetually saturated with water such that the physical,
chemical and biological properties reflected in the soil profile clearly demonstrates long periods of saturation.”
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regulation provides standards that sufficiently guide municipal decisions and therefore do not
allow for the “exercise of discretion in an arbitrary or discriminatory fashion.” Pierce
Subdivision, 2008 VT 100 at ¶ 20 (quoting Kilburn, 131 Vt. at 124).
Additionally, we must strike a balance between the flexibility a municipal panel must
have in reviewing a specific development proposal and a landowner’s right to know what
standards govern an application. See Rogers, 156 Vt. at 491; see also Handy, 171 Vt. at 349;
Kilburn, 131 Vt. 124 (“On one hand the standards governing the delegation of such authority
should be general enough to avoid inflexible results, yet on the other hand they should not
leave the door open to unbridled discrimination.”). Thus, while we must “invalidate ordinances
that ‘fail to provide adequate guidance” and allow for “ad-hoc decision making that is
essentially arbitrary,” we will uphold general standards “accompanied by some ability of
landowners to predict how discretion will be exercised.” Pierce Subdivision, 2008 VT 100, ¶ 20
(quoting Kilburn, 131 Vt. at 125); Handy, 171 Vt. at 349. For this reason, we consider the
regulation in the context of the entire ordinance so that “even if some of the bylaws' objectives
are general,” it may be constitutional “as long as other provisions impose specific limits to guide
and check the [decisionmaker's] discretion.” Rogers, 156 Vt. at 491; Pierce Subdivision, 2008
VT 100 at ¶ 24 (“By providing both general and specific standards for [ ] review, the bylaw
strikes an appropriate balance between providing guidance to the Commission and avoiding
inflexible requirements which would defeat the creativity and flexibility required to effectuate
the goals of the [bylaws].”)).
Applicant argues that the requirement under § 410.1 that certain land prone to flooding
and/or with poor drainage “shall not ordinarily be subdivided” is too ambiguous to be
enforceable. We disagree. The preceding sentence of the Regulations informs the
interpretation of this standard. That sentence requires that land to be subdivided be “of such a
character that it can be used for building purposes without danger to public health or safety, or
to the environment.” Regulations § 410.1. Section 410.1 allows for discretion when
considering whether land is suitable for subdivision; it does not allow for arbitrary decision
making, but rather for flexibility.
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Addressing Applicant’s second argument, standing to appeal municipal zoning decisions
is governed by 24 V.S.A. § 4465 and may not be judicially expanded. In re Verizon Wireless
Barton Permit, 2010 VT 62, ¶ 7, 188 Vt. 262 (quoting Garzo v. Stowe Bd. Of Adjustment, 144 Vt.
298, 302 (1984)). Section 4471(a) extends standing to appeal a municipal panel's decision to
“interested persons” who participated in the proceedings below. See 24 V.S.A.
§ 4465(b)(defining interested person). An interested Person is defined in 24 V.S.A. § 4465(b)(3)
as one “owning or occupying property in the immediate neighborhood of a property that is the
subject of any decision or act” who can “demonstrate a physical or environmental impact” on
their interest under the criteria reviewed.
Applicant argues that whether the Property is subject to periodic flooding or poor
drainage has no physical or environmental impact on Appellant’s interest. We disagree.
Appellants occupy property adjacent to the Project and it is possible that any flooding or
exacerbation of drainage issues could result in flooding of their property. This is sufficient for
standing to raise the issue.
Finally, as to Applicant’s argument that her property contains no hydric soils, in ruling on
Applicant’s motion we must assume the factual allegations made by Appellants are true.
Although Applicant attempts to controvert Appellants statement that the property fails to
comply with § 410.1 by showing that her property is free of “hydric soils” and is not located in
either wetlands or a FEMA Flood Hazard Area, we cannot conclude based on these facts alone
that the Project satisfies the requirement in § 410.1 that “[l]and subject to periodic flooding,
poor drainage . . . shall not ordinarily be subdivided.”
We interpret a zoning ordinance using the familiar rules of statutory construction. In re
Appeal of Trahan, 2008 VT 90, ¶ 19, 184 Vt. 262. We will “construe words according to their
plain and ordinary meaning, giving effect to the whole and every part of the ordinance.” Id.Where the plain meaning of the ordinance is clear, it must be enforced and no further
interpretation is necessary. Vermont Alliance of Nonprofit Orgs. v. City of Burlington, 2004 VT
57, ¶ 6, 177 Vt. 47 (citing Hill v. Conway, 143 Vt. 91, 93 (1983)).
Regulations § 410.1 states that ““[a]ll land to be subdivided shall be, in the judgment of
the Commission, of such a character that it can be used for building purposes without danger to
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public health or safety, or to the environment. Land subject to periodic flooding, poor drainage
. . . shall not ordinarily be subdivided.” By its plain language, § 410.1 requires consideration of
an areas potential to flood in the context of the overall character of an area to be subdivided.
The Regulations themselves do not define “periodic flooding” or “poor drainage,” and we
cannot now determine whether Applicant’s property is subject to periodic flooding and/or poor
drainage based on the facts that it is free of “hydric soils” and is not located in either wetlands
or a FEMA Flood Hazard Area alone. Because the issue of whether the Property is subject to
periodic flooding and/or poor drainage is a question of fact, we must take evidence on the issue
and cannot now dismiss Question 1(3). For this reason, we DENY Applicant’s motion for
judgment on Question 1(3).
IV. Question 1(4): Regulations § 410.5
Regulations § 410.5 requires that “due regard shall be given to the preservation and
protection of existing features, trees, scenic points . . . .” By their Question 1(4), Appellants
argue that Applicant has the burden of demonstrating that the Project is designed so as to
minimize its impact on scenic points. Applicant asks the Court to dismiss Question 1(4) because
Appellants have already raised, and this Court has already addressed, the enforceability of
§ 410.5.
In this Court’s February 23 Decision, we addressed § 410.5, stating that although the
provision “states an admirable goal for land use planning in Ferrisburgh, we are at a loss to
determine what standards are established to guide us in making sure that ‘due regard’ is shown
by the proposed subdivision.” In re Couture Subdivision Permit, No. 53-4-14 Vtec, slip op. at 6
(Vt. Super. Ct. Envtl. Div. Feb. 23, 2015) (Durkin, J). We directed that Appellants clarify the
challenge they sought to bring under § 410.5 and how the Court should address compliance
with that section. Id. As understood by this Court, Appellants’ now argue that “due regard”
requires consideration of the criteria within § 410.5 as they apply to the Project’s impacts on
existing features of the subject property. (Appellants’ Motion at 2, filed Mar. 6, 2015).
Appellants further argue that “[d]ue regard puts the burden on the applicant to demonstrate
that the project is designed in such a way as to minimize the impact of the subdivision.” Id.
This clarification does not, however, provide guidance to the parties or the Court other than to
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provide an equally vague synonym for “due regard.” The Court therefore maintains the
conclusion announced in our February 23 Decision that there are no meaningful standards for
review under § 410.5; for this reason, Question 1(4) is DISMISSED.
V. Question 1(5): Regulations § 420.3
Regulations § 420.3 states that “[i]ntersection of streets shall be 90 degrees.” Appellant
argues that Applicant’s driveway does not intersect with the street at 90 degrees. Applicant
argues, however, that the Project’s gravel driveway is not a street, as defined in Article V of the
Regulations. As stated above, we interpret a zoning ordinance using the familiar rules of
statutory construction and will “construe words according to their plain and ordinary meaning,
giving effect to the whole and every part of the ordinance.” In re Appeal of Trahan, 2008 VT 90,
¶ 19, 184 Vt. 262.
As defined by the Regulations, a street is any “road, highway, avenue, street, land or
other way between right-of-way lines, commonly used by the public for traffic.” The question
before the Court is, therefore, whether the driveway is considered to be “commonly used by
the public.” Although the Regulations do not define “public use,” we consider the term under
its plain meaning to mean open to use by the general public without unreasonable restriction.
While “street” would therefore include privately owned roads, it would be limited to those
privately owned roads open to use by the public without restriction; a privately owned
driveway providing access to an individual residence is not open to use by the public and is
therefore not a street under the Regulations. Because the Regulations do not require
driveways to be at a right angle to streets or to other driveways, the Court GRANTS Applicant
judgment as a matter of law under Appellants’ Question 1(5).
VI. Question 1(6): Regulations § 420.7
Regulations § 420.7 limits the length of dead-end streets, cul-de-sacs, and turn-arounds
to 1200 feet, with an exception for temporary dead-end streets, and requires that dead-end
streets and cul-de-sacs terminate in a turn-around with a radius of 100 feet and a minimum
paved area of 20 feet. By their Question 1(6), Appellants summarize the Regulation. Applicant
asks that this Court dismiss Question 1(6) because a gravel driveway is not a street, and
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furthermore, the Regulations contain no requirements that driveways must have a turn-around
with a radius of 100 feet and a minimum paved area of 20 feet.
As stated above, the Court agrees that a driveway is not a street, as defined by the
Regulations, and that furthermore, the Regulations do not require that driveways comply with
§ 420.7. For this reason, the Court GRANTS Applicant judgment as a matter of law on
Appellants’ clarified Question 1(f).
VII. Question 1(7): Regulations § 450
Regulations § 450 states that “[a]n adequate surface storm water drainage system for
the entire subdivision area shall be provided” and that “[w]here a subdivision is traversed by a
water course or drainage way, there shall be provided a drainage easement of such width to
encompass the 25-year flood area of such water course, such easement shall be indicated on
the final plat.” By their Question 1(7), Appellants argue that “the subdivision is traversed by a
watercourse and this requirement has not been met.” In response, Applicant reiterates that
the Property is not a wetland or FEMA flood hazard area and is essentially free of hydric soils.
Additionally, Applicant argues that § 450 provides no guidance as to how to determine whether
a stormwater drainage system is “adequate” or how to determine a “25-year flood area” and is
therefore not an enforceable standard.
By its plain language, § 450 requires a drainage easement where “a subdivision is
traversed by a water course or drainage way.” Although Applicant offers that the Project is not
a wetland or FEMA flood hazard area and is free of hydric soils, they have not indicated
whether the Project is or is not traversed by a water course or drainage way. This is a question
of fact that must be resolved through a trial. Because the provision specifically requires a
drainage easement when a subdivision is traversed by a water course or drainage way, the
Court does not find Applicant’s argument persuasive.
As to Applicant’s argument that § 450 is not an enforceable standard because it
provides no guidance as to how to determine whether a stormwater drainage system is
“adequate” or how to determine a “25-year flood area,” the Court reiterates that we begin with
the presumption that a zoning regulation is constitutional. In re Highlands, No. 194-10-03 Vtec,
slip op. at 13 (Vt. Envtl. Ct. Feb. 2, 2010) (Wright, J.) (citing Hunter v. State, 2004 VT at ¶ 31).
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Considering the factors listed above, the Court disagrees with Applicant’s assertion that
§ 450 is standardless. First, a 25-year flood is defined within the Vermont Stormwater
Management Manual and therefore the Regulations inclusion of reference to a 25-year flood
provides adequate standards. Second, requiring that a stormwater system be adequate to
address such a flood event does not open the door to arbitrary decision making, but rather
provides flexibility to the municipal panel to determine whether the system is adequate to
handle a certain amount of stormwater or not. For this reason, we DENY Applicant’s motion for
judgment on Appellants’ clarified Question 1(7).
Conclusion
We DENY Applicant’s motion for judgment on Appellants’ clarified Questions 1(3) and
1(7), but GRANT Applicant’s motion on Questions 1(1), 1(2), 1(4), 1(5), and 1(6). Questions
1(1), 1(2), 1(4), 1(5), and 1(6) are therefore resolved in Applicant’s favor. Questions 1(3) and
1(7) remain for trial.
Electronically signed on June 17, 2015 at Newfane, Vermont, pursuant to V.R.E.F. 7(d).
________________________________
Thomas S. Durkin, Judge
Environmental Division
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