C.R. Green, L.P. v. Mayfield Hts., Unpublished Decision (12-1-2005)
C.R. Green, L.P. v. Mayfield Hts., Unpublished Decision (12-1-2005)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Appellant sought to operate a hair salon in an office building located on SOM Center Road in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. The office building is located in an area zoned as a planned office and restricted service district under Mayfield Heights city zoning code U-4-B. Pursuant to the Mayfield Heights city ordinance, the only permitted uses of this zoning area are banks and general financial offices. Retail establishments, as well as shops, are prohibited under the U-4-B zoning code.
{¶ 3} On January 6, 2003, the appellant submitted to the Mayfield Heights City Planning Commission a request to operate a hair salon in the U-4-B zoning area. Following the appellant's presentation to the committee outlining its business proposal, the request was denied by a vote of three to two. On January 27, 2003, the Mayfield Heights city council ("council") overturned the decision of the City Planning Commission and approved the appellant's request. On February 4, 2003, the mayor vetoed the decision made by the council and denied the appellant's request to operate a hair salon in the U-4-B zoned area.
{¶ 4} On March 24, 2003, the appellant filed a notice of appeal, pursuant to R.C. 2506. On May 21, 2003, the city of Mayfield Heights ("the city" or "appellee"), filed a motion to dismiss the appellant's appeal. The city further filed an answer to the appellant's complaint on September 18, 2003, and on December 22, 2003, it filed a motion for summary judgment. On January 22, 2004 and February 24, 2004, the appellant filed agreed requests for an extension of time to respond to the city's motion for summary judgment; both of which were granted, giving the appellant until April, 7, 2004, to respond. On April 8, 2004, the appellant filed its submission for determination on the record. In addition, after filing a motion to strike, which was not ruled upon, the city filed a reply to the appellant's submission on April 19, 2004. On May 3, 2004, the appellant filed a motion to set oral argument, and an oral argument was held before the trial court on March 24, 2004. On December 22, 2004, the trial court issued a judgment entry granting the city's motion for summary judgment. On January 21, 2005, the appellant filed this appeal citing six assignments of error for our review.
{¶ 5} "I. The trial court erred in allowing a `veto' of Mayfield Heights City Council's interpretation of its zoning code, where that is an administrative determination by Council, and the Mayfield Heights Charter only permits veto of legislative action taken by ordinance or resolution."
{¶ 6} Appellant claims the mayor's veto of its business proposal was invalid pursuant to the law set forth in the Ohio Constitution with respect to chartered municipalities. Article
{¶ 7} Peachtree Development Co. v. Paul (1981),
{¶ 8} "The test for determining whether an action of the legislative body is legislative or administrative is whether the action taken is one enacting a law, ordinance, or regulation, or executing or administering a law, ordinance or regulation already in existence." Peachtree DevelopmentCo., supra.
{¶ 9} Here, the council sought to interpret the meaning of the ordinance that controlled the appellant's ability to operate a hair salon in a specific location. In approving the appellant's proposal, the council looked to the zoning regulations to determine whether the proposal was permitted. In interpreting the language of the regulation, the council concluded that the appellant's proposal fell within the language parameters of the statute. When applying the test as set forth in Peachtree, it is clear that council's actions were administrative.
{¶ 10} The appellee argues that, as a chartered municipality, the mayor has the power to veto ordinances and resolutions, and, in the case at bar, the council's actions were a resolution, subject to the veto power of the mayor. The appellant cites the Mayfield Heights city charter as support for its position. After a review of the city charter, it is clear that it does not give the mayor the power to veto an administrative act. Article III, Section 3(C) of the city charter proscribes the veto power of the mayor and states in pertinent part:
{¶ 11} "Every ordinance or resolution of the council shall be presented to the mayor for consideration before it goes into effect. The Mayor, if he or she approves it, shall sign it and file it with the Clerk of Council. The Mayor may approve or disapprove the whole or any item of an ordinance appropriating money, but otherwise his or her approval shall be addressed to the entire resolution."
{¶ 12} It is clear that the city charter gives the mayor the power to veto ordinances and resolutions; however, the case at bar concerns an administrative act. The language of the city charter is clear in that it does not give the mayor the power to veto administrative acts. Because council's actions were administrative in nature, the mayor erred when she exercised her veto power. Thus, the appellant's first assignment of error has merit.
{¶ 13} "II. The trial court erred in allowing the mayor to override City Council's interpretation and application of its own zoning code, where no additional or different evidence (other than the record already relied on by council) was offered by the mayor to justify that act."
{¶ 14} In its second assignment of error, appellant specifically argues that the mayor presented no additional information and provided no additional reasoning to support her decision to veto the conclusion reached by council. This court finds merit in the appellant's argument.
{¶ 15} As stated above, council's decision to approve the appellant's business proposal was an administrative action. The mayor only has the power to veto ordinances and resolutions, not legislative or administrative actions. Here, the mayor made no additional findings that would support the appellee's contention that council's decision was an ordinance or resolution. Thus, the mayor erred when she improperly used her veto power, and the trial court erred when it affirmed the mayor's veto. Therefore, the appellant's second assignment of error is sustained.
{¶ 16} "III. The trial court erred in overriding Council's determination that the subject property use is permitted under Mayfield Heights code, where there was no preponderance of reliable, probative, and substantial evidence to do so."
{¶ 17} Here, appellant argues that the trial court erred in overriding council's determination that its proposed use of the property was permitted under the Mayfield Heights city code. The appellant asserts that the city provided no reliable, probative or substantial evidence to support the court's finding.
{¶ 18} The Mayfield Heights U-4-B zoning classification distinguishes permitted and non-permitted uses for U-4-B zoned property and states:
{¶ 19} "1174.01 Permitted Uses
{¶ 20} "The following uses are permitted in a U-4-B District:
{¶ 21} "(a) Banks, general offices, administrative offices, professional offices and financial offices; and
{¶ 22} "(b) any use not specified and determined to be similar by the planing commission and confirmed by council majority.
{¶ 23} "1174.02 Prohibited Uses
{¶ 24} "The following uses are prohibited in a U-4-B District:
{¶ 25} "(a) Retail stores or shops for the purpose of selling articles from the premises;
{¶ 26} "(b) Restaurants, bars or other food service establishments;
{¶ 27} "(c) Any automotive type services;
{¶ 28} "(d) Medical and dental offices; and
{¶ 29} "(e) Any use as determined by the planning commission and confirmed by council majority as not meeting the purpose and intent as specified in section 1174.01"
{¶ 30} It is clear from the language of the U-4-B zoning code that the appellant's business proposal falls well within the permitted uses. The U-4-B zoning code clearly states that professional offices are permitted. The appellant's proposal of a hair salon falls well within the meaning of a professional office. Hair salons are regulated by the state of Ohio and must be licensed by the state. In order to work as a hairstylist, one must receive specialized training and must undergo testing to receive a license from the state. In addition to the educational and licensing requirements, hairstylists and barbers are required to undertake periodic training in new techniques and procedures in order to maintain their license. It is clear from the stringent requirements that hairstylists are required to meet that a hair salon as an operation fits within the parameters of a professional office. In addition, when presenting its business proposal, the appellant made it clear that there was no intent to sell hair products or any other merchandise on the premises of the salon, thus the hair salon would in no way serve as a retail operation. In opposition, the appellee provided no additional evidence to support its position that the appellant's business proposal was a non-permitted use; they also failed to provide any evidence that the appellant intended to operate a retail establishment.
{¶ 31} The arguments of the parties, as well as the facts presented, dictate that the appellant's proposal fits within the definition of a professional office and that it does not intend to operate a retail establishment. Thus, the appellant's third assignment of error has merit.
{¶ 32} "IV. The trial court erred in treating this proceeding as a summary judgment matter, where Ohio law prohibits the trial court from doing so."
{¶ 33} On December 22, 2003, the appellee filed a motion for summary judgment with the trial court. After the trial court heard oral arguments regarding the case at bar, it granted the appellee's motion for summary judgment. We find that the trial court's actions were improper.
{¶ 34} The appellee's basis for its motion for summary judgment was that the appellant did not make an adequate showing of damages and that summary judgment is proper in such an instance. Although the appellee is correct in its knowledge of the law regarding summary judgment, its application to the case at bar is incorrect.
{¶ 35} The appellant made a finding of damages amounting to $107,970, arguing that it was wrongfully denied the use of the property at issue and, as a result, suffered damages. This court has found that the mayor erred when she vetoed the appellant's business proposal; therefore, as a result of that improper action, the appellant suffered damages from its inability to operate a business in a zoned area where it lawfully should have been able to operate. The appellant has fulfilled its obligation by making an adequate showing of damages. Thus, the trial court erred when it granted summary judgment on behalf of the city.
{¶ 36} "V. The trial court erred in refusing to consider the filed deposition of David B. Hartt, and the filed hearing submission, which were both filed prior to the date of hearing, as directed by the trial court in its July 22, 2004 entry."
{¶ 37} Here, the appellant argues that the trial court erred when it failed to admit the deposition of David B. Hartt since it was properly filed. The appellant asserts that the submission and deposition of David B. Hartt were both filed before the court-mandated deadline and, thus, were properly admissible. The appellee argues that the appellant's submission was filed on April 8, 2004; however, Hartt's deposition was never filed.
{¶ 38} Although the appellee asserts that the deposition was never filed, the appellant has presented evidence that, not only was Hartt's deposition filed, but the appellee relied upon the deposition, thus providing additional support for the contention that it was, in fact, filed. The appellant attached the deposition to the submission, but neglected to include a cover page indicating that the submission also contained a copy of the deposition. It is clear that, although the deposition was not properly labeled, the appellant did, in fact, file the deposition; therefore, it should have been admissible. Thus, the appellants' fifth assignment of error has merit.
{¶ 39} "VI. The trial court erred in refusing to award any damages to plaintiff, despite the record being uncontradicted regarding the damages suffered by plaintiff and their amount."
{¶ 40} Appellant asserts that the record was uncontradicted regarding damages, thus, the trial court's actions were improper with respect to damages. As stated above, in assignment of error five, the appellant made an adequate showing of damages. The mayor's veto was improper and, as a result, deprived the appellant of an opportunity to operate a business in a zoned area where it had every right to do so. Because the appellant was deprived of an opportunity to pursue its business venture, it suffered damages in the amount of $107,970. The appellant's damages were adequately presented, entitling it to a damage award. Thus, the appellant's sixth assignment of error has merit.
Judgment reversed and remanded.
This cause is reversed and remanded to the lower court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
It is, therefore, considered that said appellant recover of said appellee costs herein.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Calabrese, Jr., J., concurs; McMonagle, J., concurs and Dissents (With Separate Opinion).
Dissenting Opinion
{¶ 41} Although I concur with the majority's finding that C.R. Green's reliance on the deposition testimony of the city's expert, David B. Hartt, was proper, I respectfully dissent from the remainder of the majority's opinion. In regard to the mayor's veto, I would hold that the veto was valid.
{¶ 42} Mayfield Heights, as a charter municipality, is authorized by the Home Rule Amendment of the Ohio Constitution "to exercise all powers of local self-government and to adopt and enforce within their limits such local police, sanitary and other similar regulations, as are not in conflict with general laws." The Home Rule Amendment, Section
{¶ 43} The mayor's veto power, set forth in the city's charter, provides as follows:
{¶ 44} "Every ordinance or resolution of the Council shall be presented to the Mayor for consideration before it goes into effect. The Mayor, if he or she approves it, shall sign it and file it with the Clerk of Council. The Mayor may approve or disapprove the whole or any item of an ordinance appropriating money, but otherwise his or her approval or disapproval shall be addressed to the entire ordinance or resolution. If he or she disapproves it or any item of it, he or she shall file it with written notice of the disapproval with the Clerk of Council and said disapproval shall be entered by the Clerk of Council in the Journal of Council. Unless an ordinance or resolution is filed with the Clerk with said notice of disapproval within ten days (10) days after its passage by Council, it shall take effect as though the Mayor had signed it on the last day of said ten-day period. When the Mayor has disapproved an ordinance or resolution, or an item of it, as herein provided, the Council may, but not later than twenty-eight (28) days thereafter, reconsider the legislation vetoed by the Mayor and, if upon such reconsideration, the ordinance, resolution or item is approved by the votes of five (5) or more of the members of Council, it shall take effect notwithstanding the veto of the Mayor." Mayfield Heights Charter, Article III, Section 3(C).
{¶ 45} It is C.R. Green's contention that the mayor's veto power only extends to legislative acts taken through ordinances or resolutions, and not administrative acts. C.R. Green maintains that the mayor's veto of city council was an administrative act and, thus, a nullity, and citesO'Keefe v. Dunn (1965),
{¶ 46} I disagree and would find that the city's charter grants the mayor the authority to veto ordinances and resolutions taken through either legislative or administrative acts. The case of Ellet Hills Mall,Inc. v. Ballad (1975),
{¶ 47} Here, the Mayfield Heights Charter provides that "[e]very ordinance or resolution of the Council shall be presented to the mayor before it goes into effect." (Emphasis added.) Mayfield Heights Charter, Article III, Section 3(C). C.R. Green argues that "[t]he veto power granted to the Mayor of Mayfield Heights by the Mayfield Heights Charter extends only to ordinances or resolutions." (Emphasis in original.) In other words, C.R. Green argues that the mayor's action was a veto of merely "Council's interpretation of the zoning code[,]" rather than a veto of a resolution or an ordinance.
{¶ 48} The record, however, demonstrates that council did, in fact, pass Resolution No. 2003-7 overturning the planning commission's denial of C.R. Green's request. Thus, there was a resolution before the mayor and the mandatory language of the city's charter validly vested the mayor with veto power.
{¶ 49} Accordingly, I would overrule C.R. Green's contention that the mayor's veto was invalid.
{¶ 50} I also disagree with the majority's finding of merit to C.R. Green's contention that the decision to bar the subject use was unreasonable, unlawful and not supported by the preponderance of reliable, probative, and substantial evidence.
{¶ 51} C.R. Green argues on this point, alternatively from its initial argument that the mayor's veto was invalid, that if the mayor did have veto power over the city council's actions, her action was contrary to law. In particular, C.R. Green contends that the trial court erred in giving deference to the mayor's act because:
{¶ 52} "`deference' applies to weighing conflicting factual testimony. City Council is the entity which did that, not the Mayor. The Mayor took no testimony. Significantly, the Mayor did not file `conclusion of facts' as required by R.C. 2506.03(A)."
{¶ 53} Thus, C.R. Green argues that deference should be afforded to city council's decision approving its request, rather than the mayor's decision vetoing city council.
{¶ 54} In resolving this issue, the majority finds that the "mayor only has the power to veto ordinances and resolutions, not legislative or administrative acts." The majority goes on to state that the "the mayor made no additional findings that would support the appellee's contention that council's decision was an ordinance or resolution." The record clearly demonstrates, however, that council did pass a resolution, to-wit: Resolution No. 2003-7.
{¶ 55} R.C.
{¶ 56} "Every final order, adjudication, or decision of any officer, tribunal, authority, board, bureau, commission, department, or other division of any political subdivision of the state may be reviewed by the court of common pleas of the county in which the principal office of the political subdivision is located as provided in Chapter 2505. of the Revised Code, except as modified by this chapter.
{¶ 57} "* * *
{¶ 58} "A `final order, adjudication, or decision' means an order, adjudication, or decision that determines rights, duties, privileges, benefits, or legal relationships of a person, but does not include any order, adjudication, or decision from which an appeal is granted by rule, ordinance, or statute to a higher administrative authority if a right to a hearing on such appeal is provided, or any order, adjudication, or decision that is issued preliminary to or as a result of a criminal proceeding."
{¶ 59} Accordingly, I would hold that the "order, adjudication, or decision" that was appealed to the trial court was the decision of the mayor vetoing city council's approval of C.R. Green's request. As already discussed, I believe that the city's charter makes it mandatory that the mayor consider all ordinances and resolutions of the city council. The charter does not provide for any appeal of an ordinance or resolution prior to the mayor's review of it. While the charter does provide for reconsideration of the mayor's veto, with five votes needed to overturn the veto, in this case, council's vote to reconsider the veto failed, and the mayor's veto was upheld. Thus, I would find that the decision in this case was "final" when the mayor vetoed city council's approval of C.R. Green's request, at which time the mayor's decision became ripe for appeal and, accordingly, deference should be afforded to the mayor's decision.
{¶ 60} R.C.
{¶ 61} "The court may find that the order, adjudication, or decision is unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable, or unsupported by the preponderance of substantial, reliable, and probative evidence on the whole record. Consistent with its findings, the court may affirm, reverse, vacate, or modify the order, adjudication, or decision, or remand the cause to the officer or body appealed from with instructions to enter an order, adjudication, or decision consistent with the findings or opinion of the court. The judgment of the court may be appealed by any party on questions of law as provided in the Rules of Appellate Procedure and, to the extent not in conflict with those rules, Chapter 2505. of the Revised Code."
{¶ 62} After finding that city council passed an ordinance that was subject to the mayor's review, I would address the issue of whether the trial court properly granted the city's motion for summary judgment as follows.1
{¶ 63} An appellate court reviews a trial court's decision on a motion for summary judgment de novo. Grafton v. Ohio Edison Co.,
{¶ 64} Summary judgment is appropriate if, after construing the evidence most favorably for the party against whom the motion is made, reasonable minds can reach only a conclusion that is adverse to that party. Zivich v. Mentor Soccer Club,
{¶ 65} C.R. Green maintains that Hartt's (the city's expert) deposition testimony created genuine issues of material fact. First, C.R. Green contends that Hartt "admits * * * ambiguity" in the city's zoning provision. C.R. Green mischaracterizes Hartt's testimony, however. Hartt testified that the city sought his assistance to resolve the question of whether a hair salon was a permitted operation in the subject district, but Hartt's unequivocal testimony was that it was his opinion that the city's zoning code prohibited a hair salon from operating in the subject district. Hartt explained that any ambiguity was on the part of the city (which is why it requested his review of the matter) and not as to his opinion. Thus, Hartt did not "admit * * * ambiguity" in the city's zoning code as C.R. Green contends.
{¶ 66} Next, C.R. Green argues that Hartt's method of analysis was flawed. According to C.R. Green, Hartt testified "that zoning provisions must be strictly construed against the homeowner and in favor of the City." C.R. Green relies on Hartt's answer in the affirmative to the following question posed to him at his deposition: "If something isn't explicitly permitted in a zoning limitation, then it's prohibited?" C.R. Green mischaracterizes Hartt's testimony. Furthermore, in another portion of his deposition testimony, Hartt testified that he agreed, in some instances, zoning ordinances should be construed in favor of the property owner.
{¶ 67} The crux of this appeal is whether the trial court erred in finding that the city presented a preponderance of reliable, probative and substantial evidence to support the decision of the mayor.
{¶ 68} Mayfield Heights Codified Ordinances 1174.01 and 1174.02 govern the property at issue and provide as follows:
{¶ 69} "1174.01 PERMITTED USES.
{¶ 70} "The following uses are permitted in a U-4-B District:
{¶ 71} "(a) Banks, general offices, administrative offices, professional offices and financial offices; (Ord. 1990-51. Passed 10-22-90.)
{¶ 72} "(b) Any use not specified and determined to be similar by the Planning Commission and confirmed by Council majority. (Ord. 1991-36. Passed 9-9-91.)
{¶ 73} "1174.02 PROHIBITED USES.
{¶ 74} "The following uses are prohibited in a U-4-B District:
{¶ 75} "(a) Retail stores or shops for the purpose of selling articles from the premises;
{¶ 76} "(b) Restaurants, bars or other food service establishments;
{¶ 77} "(c) Any automotive type services;
{¶ 78} "(d) Medical and dental offices;
{¶ 79} "(e) Any use as determined by the Planning Commission and confirmed by Council majority as not meeting the purpose and intent as specified in section 1174.01.
{¶ 80} "In a U-4-B District, no building or premises shall be used and no building shall be erected which is arranged, intended or designed to be used for other than U-4-B use. (Ord. 1994-10. Passed 6-27-94.)"
{¶ 81} C.R. Green argues that the ordinance is ambiguous about what constitutes a professional office; that its proposed operation was not for a retail store to sell articles and, thus, it was not a prohibited use; and that prohibition of its operation based on the city's foot traffic argument is "inherently arbitrary and vague."
{¶ 82} The majority finds that "[i]t is clear from the language of the U-4-B zoning code that the appellant's business proposal falls well within the permitted uses." The majority reasons that the training and licensure requirements for hairstylists make it "clear * * * that a hair salon as an operation fits within the parameters of a professional office." In so finding and reasoning, the majority states that the city did not provide any "additional evidence to support its position that [C.R. Green's] business proposal was a non-permitted use; they also failed to provide any evidence that [C.R. Green] intended to operate a retail establishment." I disagree.
{¶ 83} In Hartt's affidavit, submitted in support of the city's motion for summary judgment, he averred as follows:
{¶ 84} "14. Affiant further states that based upon (i) Affiant's review of all the appropriate background related to this request; (ii) Affiant's experience in planning and zoning; and [(iii)] Affiant's interpretation of the relevant provisions in the Mayfield Heights Planning and Zoning Code, it is Affiant's opinion that a hair salon, as described by the Appellant, is a retail operation and is not a use that is permitted in the U-4-B Planned Office and Restrictive Service Districts;
{¶ 85} "15. Affiant further states that Affiant has reached this opinion based on the following:
{¶ 86} "A. The U-4-B Planned Office and Restrictive Service District is clearly intended as a district limited to office uses;
{¶ 87} "B. Conversely, retail uses are specifically prohibited in this district;
{¶ 88} "C. Service businesses requiring customers to come to the place of business are as much of a retail business as those businesses selling products;
{¶ 89} "D. From a zoning perspective, any requirements of a regulatory agency (such as definitions for business, licensing, certification) do not alter the distinctions between office and retail uses; and
{¶ 90} "E. For all of the other reasons, background, information and factors set forth in Affiant's Expert Report dated November 14, 2003[.]"
{¶ 91} In opposition to the city's motion for summary judgment on this issue, C.R. Green submitted excerpts of Hartt's deposition testimony. It did not submit an expert report or any other evidence on its behalf.
{¶ 92} As already mentioned, I believe that C.R. Green mischaracterizes the portions of Hartt's testimony upon which it relied. Hartt's opinions are undisputed. Thus, I would find that there was a preponderance of reliable, probative and substantial evidence to support the mayor's decision, and the trial court properly granted the city's motion for summary judgment.
{¶ 93} Finally, I disagree with the majority's holding that C.R. Green suffered $107,970 in damages. Because I would hold that the trial court did not err in granting the city's motion for summary judgment, I would likewise hold that it did not err in denying C.R. Green's request for monetary damages.
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