Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_11-cv-01252/USCOURTS-azd-2_11-cv-01252-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 290
Nature of Suit: Other Real Property Actions
Cause of Action: 28:2409(a) Quiet Title Action

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

MSR Biltmore Resort, LP; Arizona

Biltmore Hotel Master Association, 

Plaintiffs, 

vs.

Arizona Biltmore Hotel Villas

Condominiums Association, 

Defendant.

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No. CV 11-01252-PHX-FJM

ORDER

The court has before it plaintiffs' motion for partial summary judgment (doc. 53),

plaintiffs' separate statement of facts in support (doc. 54), defendant's response (doc. 55),

defendant's controverting statement of facts and additional facts (doc. 56), and plaintiffs'

reply (doc. 57). 

This action stems from a dispute over the use of a parking lot located next to the

Arizona Canal and the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa ("Hotel"). The Salt River Project

("SRP") manages the canal on behalf of the United States. On September 3, 2010, the

Arizona Biltmore Hotel Villas Condominiums Association ("Villas Association") filed a

complaint for declaratory relief against the Arizona Biltmore Hotel Master Association

("Master Association") in the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. Plaintiffs filed

this action on June 24, 2011, seeking relief under the Quiet Title Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2409a,

declaratory and injunctive relief. On March 2, 2012, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed all

Case 2:11-cv-01252-FJM Document 60 Filed 09/19/12 Page 1 of 3
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claims against the United States and SRP. On March 6, 2012, the court dismissed defendant

Flood Control District of Maricopa County pursuant to stipulation.

Plaintiffs seek summary judgment as to count two of their complaint. They ask for

a declaration that (1) "the Villas Association has no right to exclude MSR and the Master

Association from accessing and controlling the use of the disputed parking lot at issue," and

(2) "the Master Association has a right superior to that of the Villas Association to control

and manage the disputed parking lot consistent with the shared-use provisions of the Master

and Villas Declarations" (doc. 53 at 12). Defendant contends that the dispute is not ripe, that

the motion raises new issues not properly before the court, that the court lacks subject matter

jurisdiction, and that factual issues defeat summary judgment.

The question of subject matter jurisdiction is dispositive here. Plaintiffs have not

amended their complaint, but their dismissal of the United States means that the complaint's

only remaining claims arise under state law and seek relief under the Declaratory Judgment

Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201. This statute enlarges the range of remedies available in federal court

but does not create jurisdiction. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. v. Motrgage Guaranty Ins.

Corp., 642 F.3d 849, 852-53 (9th Cir. 2011). The court had jurisdiction over this case when

it was filed because the complaint asserted a claim under the Quiet Title Act, 28 U.S.C. §

2409a. See 28 U.S.C. § 1346(f). Jurisdiction over the remaining claims is supplemental.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c), we may decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction if we

have dismissed all claims over which we have original jurisdiction. 

"[I]n the usual case in which all federal-law claims are eliminated before trial, the

balance of factors to be considered under the pendant jurisdiction doctrine – judicial

economy, convenience, fairness, and comity – will point toward declining to exercise

jurisdiction over the remaining state-law claims." Carnegie-Mellon Univ. v. Cohill, 484 U.S.

343, 350 n.7, 108 S. Ct. 614, 619 n.7 (1988). Issues of state law now dominate this action.

Our interest in comity would be frustrated by exercising supplemental jurisdiction over such

claims. Parallel state proceedings began more than nine months before this action

commenced. It will be just as convenient for the parties to litigate in state court as in federal

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court. Judicial resources would be wasted by having two courts decide cases which

essentially mirror one another. And the potential for contradictory, unfair results is greatly

heightened by having parallel cases.

IT IS ORDERED DISMISSING this action, in its entirety, without prejudice. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED DENYING plaintiffs' motion for partial summary

judgment on grounds of mootness (doc. 53).

DATED this 18th day of September, 2012.

Case 2:11-cv-01252-FJM Document 60 Filed 09/19/12 Page 3 of 3