Motisi v. Alabama Gas Corp.
Motisi v. Alabama Gas Corp.
Opinion
The plaintiff appeals from a summary judgment in favor of all defendants. We affirm.
On July 20, 1975, Peter J. Motisi conveyed a right of way to the County of Montgomery for use as a public road. At about the same time, Motisi and the county executed an agreement which purportedly granted Motisi the right "to bore under the right-of-way for said road for the placement of water and sewer utilities at at least two locations" and the right to place and install a six-inch water main across the road right of way, each of those rights "to be exercised in coordination with the County Engineer of Montgomery County with respect to method of installation and location."
On November 6, 1975, Montgomery County approved a proposal submitted by Alabama Gas Corporation to extend its gas lines across its right of way to supply gas to Ohio-Ferro Alloys Corporation's plant then under construction.
The line was installed in November or December 1975 and has been in constant use since that time.
On October 30, 1984, Motisi filed his complaint in this case against Ohio-Ferro Alloys *Page 1158 Corporation, Alabama Gas Corporation, and the Montgomery County Commission. The complaint charged the defendants with negligent trespass, denial of the full use and enjoyment of his property, intentional trespass, and fraud and conspiracy in connection with the county's grant of permission to Alabama Gas to install the gas lines.
It is undisputed that Motisi had actual knowledge of the installation of the gas lines. He stated by way of affidavit in opposition to the defendants' motions for summary judgment:
"Thereafter [after the execution of the right of way deed and agreement referred to above], in contradiction to the above agreement and in direct violation to my property rights in said property, with prior knowledge of my property interests and without my consent, the Defendant Alabama Gas Corporation, installed under the surface of said land a gas pipeline. This installation took place after I had personally stopped the installation crew of Defendant Alabama Gas Corporation from installing said line initially. In addition, I advised officials of Alabama Gas Corporation that I held these property rights and advised that they should not install this line until some agreement was made for the modification of this line in the event of future conflict."
Assuming, without deciding, that an action of trespass would lie under these facts, the trial court correctly granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants because the applicable statutes of limitations bar all the claims asserted against these defendants. Trespass actions are barred after six years. Section
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
AFFIRMED.
TORBERT, C.J., and MADDOX, JONES and ADAMS, JJ., concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Peter J. Motisi v. Alabama Gas Corporation, Montgomery County Commission, Ohio-Ferro Alloys Corporation.
- Cited By
- 7 cases
- Status
- Published