Lucky Star Enterprises, Llc, Resp. v. Kent Hill Plaza Aka Kent East Hill Plaza, App. ( 2016 )

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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON 30
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LUCKY STAR ENTERPRISES, LLC, a
Washington limited liability company, No. 72907-1-1
Respondent, DIVISION ONE
v. UNPUBLISHED OPINION
KENT HILL PLAZA, LLC (AKA KENT
EAST HILL PLAZA, LLC), a Washington
limited liability company,
Appellant. FILED: March 28, 2016
Appelwick, J. — Kent Hill argues the trial court erred when it ordered
specific performance of the commercial lease, granted damages to the tenant,
Lucky Star, and awarded Lucky Star its attorney fees and costs. It contends that
Lucky Star violated its duty of good faith and fair dealing. Itasserts that statements
of its realtor were improperly admitted. We affirm.
FACTS
Lucky Star Enterprises LLC owns and operates Planet Fitness franchises.
In 2011, Lucky Star began negotiating to lease property in Kent from Kent Hill
Plaza LLC to open a new Planet Fitness franchise.
No. 72907-1-1/2
After lengthy negotiations, Lucky Star's realtor drafted a proposed lease
agreement. Kent Hill's three owners reviewed the lease with the assistance of
legal counsel. The parties signed the lease in June 2012.
The disputed provision of the lease is exhibit B. This provision is titled
"DESCRIPTION OF LANDLORD'S WORK." It begins, "The Landlord, at its sole
cost and expense, shall provide the following minimum improvements to the
Leased Premises as part of Landlord's vanilla box delivery of Premises."
Subparagraph (A) states, "New HVAC [(heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)]
system per Tenant's architect drawings and specifications of 2.5 ton per 1,000 SF
(47.5 ton), in good working condition, on a separate thermostat, and balance
tested. HVAC system to be warranted for a period of ten (10) years." Kent Hill
signed the lease prior to Lucky Star providing its architect's drawings and
specifications for the HVAC system.
Lucky Star delivered a schematic of its proposed HVAC system to Surinder
Khela, Kent Hill's realtor, shortly after the lease was signed. This schematic was
prepared by Daniel Mullin, Lucky Star's architect. It followed the Planet Fitness
general design requirements. Mullin proposed capping and sealing a number of
existing HVAC locations on the property's roof and installing new spaces for the
HVAC system.
Kent Hill refused to comply with Lucky Star's design specifications for the
new HVAC system. Kent Hill feared the costs and risks associated with cutting
new holes in the roof and wanted to maintain flexibility with other tenants in the
building.
No. 72907-1-1/3
In March 2013, Lucky Star sued for specific performance of the lease,
breach of contract, and damages. A bench trial was held. On December 4, 2014,
the court entered lengthy findings of fact and conclusions of law. The court ordered
specific performance of the lease agreement. The court awarded Lucky Star
damages of $343,348.16. And, it awarded Lucky Star its costs and attorney fees.
Kent Hill appeals.
DISCUSSION
Kent Hill makes several arguments on appeal. First, it asserts that the trial
court erred in granting specific performance, because the lease was too indefinite
to enforce. It challenges the trial court's finding that the cost of relocating the
HVAC system was not unreasonable. It also argues that Lucky Star breached its
duty of good faith and fair dealing by proposing an unreasonable design. Kent Hill
contends that the trial court erred in admitting the hearsay statements of Khela. It
argues that Lucky Star was not entitled to damages or attorney fees.1 And, both
parties request attorney fees on appeal.
1 Kent Hill does not specifically assign error to any of the findings of fact
implicated by its arguments. As a result, Lucky Star argues we should notconsider
Kent Hill's arguments. RAP 10.3(g) provides that an appellate court will only
consider arguments included in an assignment of error or clearly disclosed in the
corresponding issue. We could properly dismiss on that basis. However, this court
will review the merits of an appeal where the nature of the challenge is perfectly
clear. Goehle v. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Ctr, 100 Wn. App. 609, 613-
14, 1 P.3d 579 (2000) (noting that "[a] technical violation of the rules will not
ordinarily bar appellate review where justice is to be served"). Although Kent Hill
failed to assign error to any specific findings of facts or conclusions of law, we can
infer from its arguments which findings and conclusions it challenges. And, Kent
Hill's failure to comply with RAP 10.3 has not prejudiced Lucky Star in its ability to
respond. Therefore, we review the merits of Kent Hill's appeal.
No. 72907-1-1/4
I. Specific Performance of the Lease
Kent Hill contends that the lease agreement cannot be enforced, because
there was no meeting of the minds to create a contract. And, it argues that the
terms of the lease are not definite enough for specific performance to be
appropriate.
A. Meeting of the Minds
Washington follows the objective manifestation theory of contracts. Hearst
Commc'ns Inc. v. Seattle Times Co.. 154 Wn.2d 493, 503, 115 P.3d 263 (2005).
We determine the parties' intent by focusing on the objective manifestations of the
agreement, giving words their usual, ordinary, and popular meanings, jd. at 503-
04. A court should not require specific performance of a contract unless the parties
have had a meeting of the minds on all material terms of the contract. Keys v.
Klitten. 21 Wn.2d 504, 520, 151 P.2d 989 (1944). When a party seeks specific
performance, the contract must be proven by clear and unequivocal evidence that
leaves no doubt as to the terms, character, and existence of the contract. Powers
v. Hastings, 93 Wn.2d 709, 713-14, 612 P.2d 371 (1980).
Here, the trial court found that the lease terms were unambiguous. It found
that exhibit B required Kent Hill to install a new HVAC system according to Lucky
Star's specifications. It found that there was no provision allowing Kent Hill to
submit its own HVAC design. And, it found that the Kent Hill owners knew that
Lucky Star would provide the design for the HVAC system, even though Lucky Star
did not provide it before the parties signed the lease.
No. 72907-1-1/5
Despite these findings of fact, Kent Hill argues that there was no meeting of
the minds, because its owners never contemplated that the HVAC system would
be relocated. In support of this claim, Kent Hill cites several cases: Sea-Van
Investment Associates v. Hamilton. 125 Wn.2d 120, 881 P.2d 1035 (1994), Haire
v. Patterson. 63 Wn.2d 282, 386 P.2d 953 (1963), and Keys. 21 Wn.2d 504. None
of these cases involve comparable facts.
In Sea-Van, a company was interested in buying property from two sellers,
and it sent a letter providing two options of how it was willing to buy the property.
125 Wn.2d at 122-23. This letter did not include a deed of trust, ]d The sellers
accepted the first option. Id. The sellers ultimately did not sell their property, and
the buyer sued to enforce their agreement. Id. at 124-25. The court held that even
ifthe letter could be construed as a contract, it was missing all material terms other
than price and was therefore unenforceable. 10^128-29. In Haire. the parties
signed an earnest money agreement, and the trial court ordered specific
performance requiring the parties to enter into a contract of sale. 63 Wn.2d at 283.
The Haire court held that specific performance was improper, because the trial
court wrote terms into the contract on which the parties never agreed. Id. at 287.
Similarly, in Keys, the parties signed an earnest money agreement, which did not
specify the terms of their future lease agreement. 21 Wn.2d at 505-06, 510. The
court held that because the earnest money agreement did not specify these terms,
it could not enforce the lease agreement. Id. at 510, 517.
But, here, the document in question was not an agreement to make an
agreement. Kent Hill is not seeking rescission or arguing no contract was formed.
No. 72907-1-1/6
It is opposing specific enforcement of the HVAC provision as understood by Lucky
Star. It is seeking enforcement of the HVAC provision in the manner it wishes to
interpret it. The lease agreement contained the material terms Lucky Star sought
to have specifically enforced. It provided that Kent Hill would be responsible for
the cost of implementing certain tenant improvements. One of those
improvements was the new HVAC system, according to Lucky Star's architect's
drawings and specifications. Kent Hill now regrets including this provision and
wishes the court to read into this provision a restriction on relocation of the HVAC
units. This we will not do.
The trial court correctly concluded that the lease unambiguously provided
that Lucky Star had the right to design the HVAC system and Kent Hill had the
burden to install according to that design. Kent Hill could have written in limitations
on relocation or made the design subject to their approval, or even delayed signing
the lease until it had approved of the design. It is not enough to say that the plain
meaning of the language is not what they had in mind, to establish that there was
no meeting of the minds on the material terms of the lease. A contract was formed.
B. Changes to the Exterior of the Building
Kent Hill further claims that the lease is not definite enough for specific
performance to be appropriate. It asserts that even ifa contract existed, the terms
of the lease cannot be construed to require Kent Hill to implement changes to the
exterior of the building.
Kent Hill asserts that the phrase "vanilla box delivery" in the lease limited its
improvements to the interior of the building. But, Kent Hill agreed to perform
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No. 72907-1-1/7
certain improvements as part of its vanilla box delivery. One of these
improvements was a new HVAC system, according to Lucky Star's architect's
designs. The provision referring to the new HVAC system did not limit the design
to the interior of the building. And, the parties were aware that the existing HVAC
units were located on the exterior of the building. Had the parties intended to limit
the new HVAC system to the location of the existing units, they could have done
so. Instead, they agreed that Lucky Star's architect would design the system.
Therefore, we hold that the terms of the lease are sufficiently definite to grant
specific performance. The trial court did not err in doing so.
II. Cost of Relocating HVAC Units
Kent Hill also argues that relocating the HVAC units would involve
unreasonable economic waste. It asserts that the trial court erred by
characterizing the relocation expense as not unreasonable.
We review factual findings for substantial evidence. Brin v. Stutzman, 89
Wn. App. 809, 824, 951 P.2d 291 (1998). Substantial evidence is evidence in
sufficient quantum to persuade a fair-minded person of the truth of the matter
asserted. Id. The party claiming error has the burden of showing that a factual
finding is not supported by substantial evidence. Fisher Props., Inc. v. Arden-
Mavfair. Inc.. 115 Wn.2d 364, 369, 798 P.2d 799 (1990). This court defers to the
trier of fact on credibility determinations. In re Marriage of Burrill. 113 Wn. App.
863, 868, 56 P.3d 993 (2002).
Kent Hill called a structural engineer, Charles Williams, to testify. Williams
testified that, in his opinion, cutting holes in the roof for the HVAC system could
No. 72907-1-1/8
result in leaking. But, he acknowledged that he had not reviewed the architect's
drawings and specifications for the Kent property. He confirmed that his opinion
was based on general possibilities, not specific to the Kent property. Kent Hill's
owners testified that they believed cutting new holes in the roof would be
expensive. One owner, Manmohan Dhillon, said that when he had to replace a
roof on another building he owned, the cost was over $100,000. Dhillon testified
that he obtained an oral bid from a contractor estimating that the cost of replacing
the roof of the Kent property could be around $200,000 or $250,000. Kent Hill did
not submit a written third-party estimate to build out the HVAC according to the
Lucky Star design. Based on these approximate figures, the court found that Kent
Hill's worst case scenario of adopting Lucky Star's design would be $200,000. But,
the court found that this figure was not an accurate representation of the cost,
because it was not corroborated by an independent source.
Lucky Star's owners and its architect also testified about the benefits of their
proposed design. Specifically, Mullin testified that Lucky Star's design would meet
the internal visual aesthetic of the Planet Fitness brand and would maximize air
distribution in an efficient way. However, he could not quantify the difference in
efficiency between his proposed design and the existing HVAC locations.
Additionally, counsel for Lucky Star explained that the total gross value of this 10
year lease would be $2,621,968.00.
The trial court explicitly found Mullin's testimony to be persuasive, and the
testimony of the three Kent Hill owners to be problematic. We defer to the trial
No. 72907-1-1/9
court's credibility determinations. See Burrill. 113 Wn. App. at 868. The trial court
weighed the evidence and made this finding of fact:
The total gross value of the 10 year lease is $2,621,968.00.2 [sic].
See Exhibit 11. Assuming, arguendo, that Kent Hill's $200,000
estimate to install Lucky Star's HVAC system is correct, that
represents just over 7% of the total value of the contract. Even
considering this unsupported figure, this is not an unreasonable cost
for this ten year multi-million dollar lease.
We hold that the trial court did not err in finding that the cost of the new
HVAC system was not unreasonable.
III. Implied Duty of Good Faith
Kent Hill asserts that Lucky Star breached its duty to operate in good faith
by proposing an unreasonable design and refusing to compromise.
Every contract involves an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing.
Badgett v. Sec. State Bank, 116 Wn.2d 563, 569, 807 P.2d 356 (1991). This duty
requires that the parties perform the terms of the agreement in good faith. Id It
does not permit the parties to add or contradict the terms of the agreement. Id at
572; Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Whiteman Tire. Inc., 86 Wn. App. 732, 738,
935 P.2d 628 (1997). When the contract gives one party discretion to determine
a contract term, the duty of good faith applies. Goodyear Tire, 86 Wn. App. at 738.
Here, the lease agreement gave Lucky Star discretionary authority to design
the new HVAC system. The court concluded that Kent Hill did not show that the
design was egregiously expensive, impractical or impossible, or inconsistent with
industry standards. Thus, the trial court concluded that Kent Hill had "failed to
No. 72907-1-1/10
establish by a preponderance of evidence that Lucky Star's proposed HVAC
system was not made in good faith."
The trial court made extensive factual findings that supported this
conclusion. It credited the testimony of Mullin, Lucky Star's architect, concerning
the reasons for Lucky Star's design. And, the trial court found that Williams's
testimony on Kent Hill's behalf was general in nature, not tied to the specific
requirements of the property. Therefore, the court found that Williams's opinion
did not preclude the implementation of Lucky Star's HVAC system. Nor did the
court find Kent Hill's estimation of the worst case scenario estimate to be reliable.
And, as discussed above, substantial evidence supports the trial court's finding
that even this $200,000 estimate was not an unreasonable cost.
Despite these facts, Kent Hill argues that Lucky Star violated its duty of good
faith by designing a plan that called for changes above the roof, and by refusing to
give a justification when it rejected Kent Hill's plan. Kent Hill asserts that Puget
Sound Service Corp. v. Bush, 45 Wn. App. 312, 724 P.2d 1127 (1986) and
McEachren v. Sherwood & Roberts, Inc., 36 Wn. App. 576, 675 P.2d 1266 (1984)
compel this conclusion. In Puget Sound, the parties executed a purchase and sale
agreement for a condominium, which included financing provisions. 45 Wn. App.
at 314-15. Prior to closing, the buyers discovered that the condominium's moorage
slip was smaller than the seller had represented it. Id at 315. The seller assured
them that this would be remedied, but the buyers did not believe it and rescinded
the contract. ]d The court held that the buyers' repudiation excused the seller
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No. 72907-1-1/11
from performing the condition precedent of acquiring financing.2 Id at 319. In
McEachren, the parties signed an earnest money agreement that provided that the
seller and purchaser would sign a rental agreement prior to closing. 36 Wn. App.
at 578. The buyers signed the rental agreement, but the seller later modified it
without notifying the buyers. Id. at 579. After discovering the change, the buyers
refused to proceed with the transaction. Id The court held that the buyers
breached their duty to operate in good faith by reneging on the deal without giving
the seller an opportunity to address their concerns. Id at 580.
Lucky Star's actions are not comparable to those of the breaching parties
in Puget Sound and McEachren. This is so, because Lucky Star complied with its
responsibilities under the lease. It timely paid its first month's rent and security
deposit in the amount of $25,879.17. It submitted its schematic drawing to Kent
Hill soon after the lease was signed. Lucky Star representatives met with Kent Hill
representatives in October 2012 to do a walkthrough of the property and take
possession. At this time, the parties made an effort to resolve their differences
concerning the HVAC system, but were unsuccessful. Lucky Star was, at all times,
willing and able to perform its obligations under the lease.
Additionally, the undisputed facts show that Lucky Star had several reasons
supporting its design of the new HVAC system. The new system would comport
with the general Planet Fitness aesthetic of open ceiling designs. Kent Hill's
2Contrary to Kent Hill's assertions, Puget Sound did not address the implied
duty of good faith and fair dealing. Instead, this case stands for the proposition
that a party is not required to comply with a condition precedent if the other party
has already rescinded the contract. Puget Sound, 45 Wn. App. at 318.
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No. 72907-1-1/12
proposed design—simply replacing the old HVAC units without moving their
location—would be problematic for Lucky Star. The building's existing HVAC units
are too close to the demising wall separating Lucky Star from another tenant. This
would result in inefficient air distribution. And, the duct system Kent Hill preferred
would not allow for maximum distribution of air into an open space or for air to be
optimally distributed in four directions from a mid-point space. Thus, Lucky Star's
insistence that Kent Hill comply with the terms of the lease by implementing a new
HVAC system according to Lucky Star's specifications did not violate the duty of
good faith and fair dealing. That Kent Hill was displeased with those specifications
does not mean Lucky Star exercised its discretionary authority in bad faith.
IV. Hearsay Statements of Khela
Kent Hill argues that the trial court erred in permitting testimony regarding
Khela's statements made after the lease was signed. And, it contends that the trial
court erred by imputing knowledge to Kent Hill based on Khela's testimony.
At trial, Lucky Star sought to introduce evidence of Khela's prior statements
through Christopher Odum, one of the owners of Lucky Star. Kent Hill objected.
A lengthy conversation between the court and counsel ensued as to whether Khela
was Kent Hill's agent at the time. The court stated multiple times that it was
overruling Kent Hill's objection, because Khela was Kent Hill's agent. But, Kent
Hill persisted, providing additional reasons why Khela could not be considered
Kent Hill's agent. Finally, the trial court instructed Lucky Star to call its next witness
while it mulled over this question. Lucky Star called Khela as its next witness.
Khela testified as to his conversations with Lucky Star and Kent Hill concerning the
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No. 72907-1-1/13
HVAC system and his attempts to bridge the gap between the parties. Kent Hill
did not object during Khela's testimony. Lucky Star did not recall Odum to testify
about Khela's statements.
Kent Hill's challenge to this evidence is not properly before this court. See
RAP 2.5(a) (an appellate court may refuse to review a claim of error that was not
raised in the trial court). By not objecting to Khela's out-of-court statements when
Khela was testifying, Kent Hill failed to preserve the issue for appellate review.
See RAP 2.5(a); Washburn v. Beatt Eguip. Co.. 120 Wn.2d 246, 290, 840 P.2d
860 (1992) (noting that an appellate court will generally not consider arguments
not presented to the trial court).
And, even if Kent Hill's objection to Odum's proffered testimony could be
construed as extending to Khela's testimony, Kent Hill's argument is not
persuasive. First, Kent Hill does not identify any specific prior out-of-court
statement that was erroneously admitted. Assuming one existed, Kent Hill has not
identified a finding of fact that is erroneous because the evidence was admitted.
Nor has it challenged a conclusion of law premised on Khela's statements. Thus,
Kent Hill's claim of error is both unclear and legally inadequate.
Second, even if Kent Hill had identified such a statement, the trial court did
not err in permitting Khela to testify as to his prior out-of-court statements. Under
ER 801 (d)(2), admissions by a party opponent are not hearsay when the statement
is offered against a party and is "a statement by the party's agent or servant acting
within the scope of the authority to make the statement for the party." An agency
relationship between broker and seller generally exists until the broker procures a
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No. 72907-1-1/14
buyer, and the buyer signs a contract. Pilling v. E. & Pac. Enters. Trust, 41 Wn.
App. 158, 165, 702 P.2d 1232 (1985). But, when the language of the contract
conditions the broker's commission on closing, the agency relationship exists until
closing. Cooan v. Kidder. Mathews &Segner, Inc., 97 Wn.2d 658, 663-64, 648
P.2d 875 (1982).
This case is analogous to Cogan, because the terms of the agreement
extended the agency relationship. The lease provided that the commission would
be "paid by Landlord 25% upon lease execution and 75% upon Tenant's
occupancy." This language expressly conditioned Khela's receipt of the majority
ofhis commission upon Lucky Staroccupying the premises. The lease was signed
in June 2012. Khela received Lucky Star's proposed design and passed it along
to the Kent Hill owners in July 2012. Khela obtained bids for the cost of replacing
the existing HVAC units in July 2012 as well. Around this time, Khela acted as an
intermediary between Lucky Star and Kent Hill, trying to bridge the gap so as to
prevent the deal from falling apart. Then, in October 2012, representatives of
Lucky Star and Kent Hill met so that Lucky Star could take possession of the
premises. After this point, Lucky Star and Kent Hill communicated through
counsel, not through Khela.
Cogan is controlling here. Kent Hill does not argue that Cogan is no longer
good law or that it hasbeen superseded by statute. And, it is possible to harmonize
Cogan with chapter 18.86 RCW, on which Kent Hill relies. RCW 18.86.070
provides that the agency relationship continues until the earliest of several
situations occurs. One situation is "[c]ompletion of performance by the broker."
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No. 72907-1-1/15
RCW 18.86.070(1 )(a). Read together with Cogan, this means that the agency
relationship continues until a buyer signs a contract—unless the parties agree
otherwise. The parties' agreement dictates that Khela remained Kent Hill's agent
until Lucky Star took possession of the premises. Khela's statements made
between the time the lease was signed and the time Lucky Star took possession
were properly admitted as an admission of a party opponent.
Kent Hill also contends that the trial court erroneously imputed knowledge
to Kent Hill based on communications with Khela. However, the question of
whether knowledge was imputed to a principal is different from whether an agent
has authority to speak for the principal. Moreover, Kent Hill does not identify any
specific facts or knowledge that were improperly imputed to Kent Hill.
Therefore, we hold that the trial court did not err in permitting Khela to testify
about his prior out-of-court statements.
V. Attorney Fees and Costs
Both parties request attorney fees and costs on appeal. They assert they
are entitled to fees and costs, because the lease provided that the prevailing party
in litigation under the lease would be entitled to them.
In Washington, attorney fees are recoverable if permitted by statute,
contract, or a recognized ground in equity. Panorama Vill. Condo. Owners Ass'n
Bd. of Dirs.v. Allstate Ins. Co., 144 Wn.2d 130, 143, 26 P.3d 910 (2001).
Here, the lease provided, "The prevailing party in any litigation or other
proceeding to enforce such party's rights under this Lease will be entitled in such
litigation or proceeding to an award of the costs of such litigation or proceeding,
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No. 72907-1-1/16
including attorney's fees and expenses." This provision applies to both parties.
Thus, as the prevailing party, Lucky Star is entitled to attorney fees and costs on
appeal.3
We affirm.
WE CONCUR:
J^eaucJf" d Ccfc^
3 Kent Hill also asks this court to reverse the trial court's award of damages
and attorney fees to Lucky Star. It has not indicated any reason to vacate this
award other than the substantive claims already presented. Therefore, we affirm
the damages and attorney fees for Lucky Star.
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