Case Title: Appeal of Curtis, et al.

Citation: 179 Vt. 620, 2006 VT 9, 896 A.2d 742

Docket Number: 

State: vermont

Court: Vermont Supreme Court

Date: 2006-01-19T00:00:00Z

Document:
Appeal of Curtis, et al. (2005-129); 179 Vt. 620; 896 A.2d 742

2006 VT 9

[Filed 19-Jan-2006]

[Motion for Reargument Denied 24-Feb-2006]


                                 ENTRY ORDER

                                  2006 VT 9

                      SUPREME COURT DOCKET NO. 2005-129

                             OCTOBER TERM, 2005

  Appeal of Curtis, et al.	       }	APPEALED FROM:
                                     }
                                     }
       	                         }	Environmental Court
                                     }	
  	                               }
                                     }	DOCKET NO. 231-12-03 Vtec

                                          Trial Judge: Merideth Wright 

             In the above-entitled cause, the Clerk will enter:

       ¶  1.  This case concerns the installation of wireless
  telecommunications antennas in the bell towers of St. Mary's Star of the
  Sea Catholic Church in Newport, Vermont, and the construction of a shed on
  church property to house related equipment.  On August 12, 2003, Verizon
  Wireless applied to the Zoning Administrator for a zoning permit to install
  the antennas and build the shed.  A group of Newport residents opposed the
  project.  The Zoning Administrator granted the permit, but first required
  Verizon Wireless to obtain site plan approval from the Newport Planning
  Commission.  The Zoning Board of Adjustment upheld the Zoning
  Administrator's issuance of the permit.  Both parties appealed to the
  environmental court, which granted partial summary judgment in favor of
  each by holding that the project was not prohibited by the Newport City
  Zoning Bylaw but required site plan approval.  On appeal to this Court,
  residents contend that the bylaw prohibits the project because only one
  principal use and one principal structure are allowed on the property.  On
  cross-appeal, Verizon Wireless argues that the bylaw does not require site
  plan approval.  We affirm in part and reverse in part. 

       ¶  2.  On review of summary judgment rulings, "we apply the same
  standard as the trial court and will affirm . . . if there are no genuine
  issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as
  matter of law."  In re Jackson, 2003 VT 45, ¶ 11, 175 Vt. 304,