In the

Court of Appeals

Second Appellate District of Texas

at Fort Worth ___________________________

No. 02-16-00157-CV

___________________________

JEFFREY A. SEVERS AND LILA SEVERS, Appellants

V.

MIRA VISTA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Appellee

MIRA VISTA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.; ROBERT GAUDIN AND 

LINDA GAUDIN, Cross-Appellants

V.

JEFFREY A. SEVERS AND LILA SEVERS, Cross-Appellees
2

On Appeal from the 153rd District Court

Tarrant County, Texas

Trial Court No. 153-271718-14

Before Meier, Gabriel, and Pittman, JJ.

Opinion by Justice Pittman
3

OPINION

INTRODUCTION

Appellants/Cross-Appellees Jeffrey A. Severs and Lila Severs filed a lawsuit 

against their neighbors, Cross-Appellants Robert and Linda Gaudin, and their 

homeowners association, Appellee/Cross-Appellant Mira Vista Homeowners 

Association (Mira Vista) to prevent the Gaudins from constructing a second-story 

addition over their pool cabana. The Severses claimed that the Gaudins’ second-story 

addition both substantively and procedurally violated the neighborhood’s 

“Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Mira Vista” (CCRs)—

substantively because the construction was within a fifteen-foot side setback 

restriction in the CCRs and procedurally because it deviated from the design-andconstruction approval process provided for in the CCRs. However, because Mira 

Vista’s Architectural Control Committee had already approved of the Gaudins’ 

second-story addition, the strategy of the Severses’ lawsuit was to enforce the CCRs 

against the Gaudins vis-à-vis Mira Vista.1

The Gaudins and Mira Vista asserted counterclaims to recover their reasonable 

attorney’s fees under the prevailing-party provision of article 12.05 of the CCRs and 

the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act, located in chapter 37 of the civil practice 

 1

Although the Severses’ only claims concerning the Gaudins arose out of the 

CCRs and were for declaratory and injunctive relief, their lawsuit against Mira Vista 

eventually metastasized to include a host of tort claims.
4

and remedies code. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §§ 37.002, .009 (West 

2015). After the parties engaged in some discovery, the Severses nonsuited their 

claims against the Gaudins without prejudice, and the trial court signed an order 

dismissing the Severses’ suit against the Gaudins. The order also stated that the 

parties bear their own attorney’s fees, which seemingly dismissed the Gaudins’ 

counterclaim for attorney’s fees.

The trial court disposed of the Severses’ claims against Mira Vista when it 

granted Mira Vista’s motion for summary judgment, but in doing so the trial court 

expressly did not rule on Mira Vista’s counterclaim for attorney’s fees. There 

remained confusion regarding the Gaudins’ and Mira Vista’s counterclaims for 

attorney’s fees, which led to additional motions, hearings, and a three-page letter from 

the trial court explaining that it was denying the Gaudins’ and Mira Vista’s requests 

for attorney’s fees because the court did not believe that any party had prevailed and 

that the equities of the case did not warrant an award of attorney’s fees. Subsequently, 

the court signed an interlineated final order denying all of the parties’ requests for 

attorney’s fees.

On appeal, the Severses raise ten issues challenging summary judgment on each 

of their claims, but the Severses’ primary challenge concerns their breach-of-contract 

claim under the CCRs. On cross-appeal, the Gaudins raise two issues and Mira Vista 

raises one issue with both seeking to recover their reasonable attorney’s fees, which 

they believe were wrongly denied. For the reasons set forth below, we overrule the 
5

Severses’ issues and affirm summary judgment on all of their claims, we reverse the 

trial court’s denial of Mira Vista’s request for attorney’s fees, and we affirm the trial 

court’s denial of the Gaudins’ request for attorney’s fees. Accordingly, we remand for 

further proceedings necessary to determine a reasonable amount of attorney’s fees to 

be awarded to Mira Vista.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. Mira Vista is Created and Governed by the CCRs

Mira Vista is an upscale, multi-phase subdivision of single-family residences 

located in Fort Worth, Texas. Like many upscale communities, Mira Vista has CCRs 

that created the homeowners’ association (HOA), that contain certain restrictive 

covenants, and that set forth the rights and duties of its homeowners and the HOA. 

Article 12.05 of the CCRs provides that any owner may initiate a legal action to 

enforce the CCRs and that “[w]ith respect to any litigation hereunder, the prevailing 

party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the nonprevailing 

party.” The CCRs do not, however, define “prevailing party.”

Article 10 of the CCRs established an Architectural Control Committee 

(ACC)—a body with authority to review and approve or deny proposed buildings, 

structures, and other improvements. Article 10 provides that when making its 

determinations, the ACC will consider such factors as the quality of the 

improvement’s materials and workmanship, its aesthetic conformance with the rest of 

the development, and its location on the plot and possible effects on neighbors. 
6

Despite this authority, the CCRs explain that the ACC “shall not have unbridled 

discretion with respect to taste, design and any absolute standards specified [in the 

CCRs],” but it “shall . . . use its best efforts to balance the equities between matters of 

taste and design (on the one hand) and use of private property (on the other hand).”

Article 10(e) also permits the ACC to publish and promulgate architectural 

standards for guidance to homeowners for improving their property and states that 

such standards “shall supplement these Covenants and Restrictions and are 

incorporated herein by reference.” Accordingly, the ACC published a set of Design 

Guidelines (Guidelines) in January 2007. Relevant here is section 2.1, which requires 

a minimum fifteen-foot side setback for each home, and section 5, which requires a 

design-and-construction approval process that includes, in part, the submission of 

building plans to the ACC prior to the commencement of construction. However, 

section 5.15 also gives the ACC the right to “waive or vary any of the procedures or standards

set forth herein at its discretion, for good cause shown.” [Emphasis added].

II. The Gaudins and Severses Move Into Mira Vista

On December 7, 2006, Robert and Linda Gaudin bought a home in Mira Vista 

that had been built in 2000 with an eight-foot side setback. This eight-foot setback 

apparently complied with the minimum side setback requirements at the time and was 

grandfathered in when the Guidelines were subsequently passed. Six months after 

moving in, the Gaudins submitted plans to the ACC to build a pool and one-story 

cabana—an entirely new structure that would be placed at the same eight-foot side 
7

setback—no closer to the property line than their existing home and conforming with 

all other guidelines and zoning requirements. Thus, the ACC approved the plan 

because the cabana and would simply extend straight back from the rear of the 

Gaudins’ home.2

Six years later, Jeffrey and Lila Severs became interested in purchasing the lot 

directly south of the Gaudins’ residence. The Severses obtained copies of the CCRs 

and Guidelines, and influenced by the Guidelines’ fifteen-foot side setback provision, 

the Severses purchased the lot on July 31, 2013, despite the facts that (1) both the 

Gaudins’ home and cabana were openly and obviously only eight feet away from the 

property line, and (2) the Severses’ own home was openly and obviously only eight 

feet away from the property line.

III. The Dispute

The instant dispute began on March 4, 2014, when the Severses noticed a 

construction dumpster in front of the Gaudins’ house. After being notified of the 

construction without having approved any building plans, the ACC immediately 

halted construction, requested a building plan, and fined the builder $250. Three days 

later, on March 7, 2014, after receiving payment for the fine and a copy of the 

 2

Mira Vista did not grant a written variance for the construction because it 

contends that section 2.1 only applies to “new” home construction and does not 

apply to phase 1 homes (such as the Gaudins’ home) already built prior to the 

Guidelines being published. The Severses disagree, claiming Mira Vista has no 

authority to support its position.
8

building plan, the ACC began evaluating the Gaudins’ proposed improvement—a 

second-story addition above the existing and now almost seven-year old cabana. 

Because the renovation would not alter home’s existing footprint—that is, the 

renovation was vertical and the structure would remain setback eight feet from the 

Severses’ property line—and because the second-story addition complied with all of 

the CCRs and Guidelines’ other height, material, and color guidelines, the ACC sent 

the Severses a letter dated March 11, 2014, informing them that the ACC was 

permitting construction to continue during its evaluation process and that there would 

be a March 21, 2014 meeting to take place at the Gaudins’ home at 10:00 a.m. to 

discuss issues related to the construction.

The Severses attended the construction meeting where they learned that the 

Gaudins had not obtained a variance to complete the second-story addition within the 

fifteen-foot side setback. The Severses began contacting members of the HOA and 

ACC to voice their objections to the second-story addition. The Severses attended 

the April 1, 2014 HOA meeting where they asserted their objections that the Gaudins’ 

second-story addition was built in violation of section 2.1’s fifteen-foot side setback 

and that it would alter their view from, and impact the aesthetic value of, their 

backyard and pool. In response, the ACC held an emergency meeting on April 3, 

2014, which was attended by Mrs. Gaudin and the Severses and their respective 

counsel.
9

The ACC then held another meeting on April 16, 2014 to resolve the issue. In 

an April 17, 2014 letter, the ACC explained that it had considered the Severses’ 

objections in their decision-making process but was nonetheless approving the 

Gaudins’ second-story addition because it complied with the height, material, and 

color requirements outlined in the Guidelines and because neither the CCRs nor the 

Guidelines contain any provision related to view. The letter informed the Severses 

that in reaching this decision, all of the ACC’s members had reviewed the Gaudins’ 

building plans and personally visited the building site.

Although not included in the April 17, 2014 letter, the ACC later justified its 

approval because the second-story addition would not alter the Gaudins’ home’s 

ground footprint, which had been completed before the Guidelines’ fifteen-foot side 

setback requirement. The ACC justified its streamlined approval process under 

section 5.15 of the Guidelines and explained that it frequently omits many of the 

cumbersome procedural steps when proposed projects do not include original 

construction. The ACC explained that

[a] preliminary design submittal was not necessary to an addition for an 

existing house because no driveway, landscaping or additional 

foundation was installed. To do so would require the Gaudins to have 

incurred an unnecessary expense and unnecessarily delayed the project. 

The ACC does not require residents incur expenses in a remodel project 

simply to comply with steps intended for original construction.
10

IV. The Severses File Suit Against the Gaudins and Mira Vista

Having failed to halt the Gaudins’ second-story addition through the ACC and 

HOA processes, on April 22, 2014, the Severses filed the underlying lawsuit and 

requested a temporary restraining order (TRO) against both the Gaudins and Mira 

Vista. In their application for a TRO, the Severses sought injunctive relief, requiring, 

inter alia, that the Gaudins’ house “must be returned to its previous condition and 

that no remodel construction can take place in violation of the 15 foot side setback 

restriction.” On the same day, the Gaudins filed their original answer and 

counterclaims in which they sought recovery of their attorney’s fees under article 

12.05 of the CCRs, and alternatively, under section 37.009 of the civil practice and 

remedies code. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 37.009.3

The trial court denied the request for a TRO, and on June 11, 2014, the 

Severses amended their petition. Although the Severses expanded their argument by 

claiming that the subsequent fifteen-foot setback in the Guidelines controls over the 

previously ACC-approved eight-foot side setback, they asserted no new causes of 

action and requested the same injunctive relief.

The trial court conducted a hearing on the Severses’ second application for a 

TRO during which the following exchange occurred between the Severses’ counsel 

and the trial court:

 3

Eventually, Mira Vista asserted its own counterclaim for attorney’s fees under 

the same contractual and statutory provisions.
11

[SEVERSES’ COUNSEL]: Now, yes, do my clients want -- in the ultimate 

world, I would like it to never have started. But we are where we are. So there’s two 

things: Tear it all down, start back from the very beginning, have a trial on the 

merits until you get to do it.

THE COURT: Who pays for that?

[SEVERSES’ COUNSEL]: I think the HOA does.

I agree with [the Gaudins’ counsel], the Gaudins, through their 

builder, submitted what the HOA told them to submit and the HOA 

said go forward.

THE COURT: So you agree, then, that the Gaudins did not do 

anything wrong. They went through the process, they got their approval 

and they didn’t do anything wrong?

[SEVERSES’ COUNSEL]: Well, from my understanding of building 

houses, the builder is the one who does all that. So do I think that Mr. and 

Mrs. Gaudin actually did anything wrong? No, I don’t think they did.

[Emphasis added].

The trial court denied the Severses’ second request for a TRO. The Severses 

responded by filing a second amended petition, adding a litany of tort claims against 

Mira Vista—including claims for breach of fiduciary duties, promissory estoppel, 

negligent misrepresentation, and private nuisance—in addition to their requests for 

declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the Gaudins.

The lawsuit proceeded to the discovery stage and in his deposition testimony, 

Mr. Severs acknowledged that because the Gaudins had indeed obtained approval 

from the ACC, the Severses primarily blamed Mira Vista and not the Gaudins for the 

alleged violations of the CCRs and Guidelines:
12

[GAUDINS’ COUNSEL]: What is it specifically that you think the 

Gaudins did wrong?

MR. SEVERS: Specifically what the Gaudins did wrong other than --

other than the placement of their pool pumps and air-conditioning 

equipment, I’m not aware of anything else that they have done wrong 

relative to this construction. Okay? Now, there may be but I’m not 

aware of anything.

[GAUDINS’ COUNSEL]: And is that based on the fact that you don’t 

disagree with the notion that they did get ACC approval for the 

remodeling projects on their home?

MR. SEVERS: They did get ACC approval from what I understand, yes, 

but we -- we question if the guidelines were applied.

[GAUDINS’ COUNSEL]: And if there was deviation from the

guidelines, it’s not your contention that’s the Gaudins’ doing, is it?

MR. SEVERS: Well, if the ACC approved the plans, then, you know, I 

would see that as being the -- the ACC’s and the HOA’s issue, not the 

Gaudins[’].

Shortly thereafter the Severses filed a nonsuit without prejudice dismissing their 

claims against the Gaudins. Notably, the Severses’ proposed order granting nonsuit 

included an order that the Gaudins should bear their own legal fees, to which the 

Gaudins filed an objection. The Severses then filed a third amended petition and 

application for temporary restraining order, which no longer named the Gaudins as a 

party, but still included their requests for declaratory and injunctive relief that the 

second-story addition be taken down—relief that directly implicated the Gaudins.4

 

 4

A comparison of the Severses’ second amended petition, which included the 

Gaudins as parties, and the Severses’ third amended petition, which removed the 

Gaudins as parties, reveals that the factual allegations are nearly identical, and with the 

exception of one new request for declaratory judgment, all of the relief requested is 
13

Mira Vista filed a motion for partial summary judgment on all of the Severses’ claims, 

and the Gaudins filed a motion for partial summary judgment on their counterclaim 

for attorney’s fees.

V. Attorney’s Fees

The trial court signed an order granting the Severses’ nonsuit, dismissed all of 

the Severses’ claims against the Gaudins without prejudice, and ordered the Gaudins 

to pay their own attorney’s fees. On the same day, the trial court granted Mira Vista’s 

motion for summary judgment and dismissed all of the Severses’ claims against it but 

expressly did not rule on Mira Vista’s counterclaim for attorney’s fees. The Gaudins 

filed a motion to vacate the court’s order on the Severses’ nonsuit, and Mira Vista 

filed a motion for summary judgment and amended motion for summary judgment

on its counterclaim for attorney’s fees. After conducting several hearings, the trial 

court sent the parties a letter dated December 21, 2015, stating that it was denying 

both the Gaudins’ motion to vacate and Mira Vista’s motion for summary judgment 

on attorney’s fees. The trial court explained that because “no party prevailed in this 

matter” under article 12.05 of the CCRs and because awarding attorney’s fees is 

discretionary under section 37.009 of the civil practice and remedies code and the 

 

identical. Indeed, requests for declaratory judgment numbers two, three, five, and six

in the third amended petition expressly sought relief that would directly and materially

affect the Gaudins.
14

court did not believe the equities in the case warranted such, it was not awarding any 

party attorney’s fees.

The parties apparently remained confused, so Mira Vista filed a motion to 

reconsider and the Severses filed a motion for summary judgment on attorney’s fees. 

The trial court held a status conference to clarify its position and then on April 19, 

2016, signed an interlineated final order denying all parties’ requests for attorney’s 

fees. Each party timely appealed. The Severses challenge the trial court’s summary 

judgment as to all of their claims against Mira Vista and the Gaudins and Mira Vista 

challenge the trial court’s order denying their request for attorney’s fees.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

We review a summary judgment de novo. Travelers Ins. Co. v. Joachim, 

315 S.W.3d 860, 862 (Tex. 2010). We consider the evidence presented in the light 

most favorable to the nonmovant, crediting evidence favorable to the nonmovant if 

reasonable jurors could, and disregarding evidence contrary to the nonmovant unless 

reasonable jurors could not. Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp Advisors, Inc. v. Fielding, 

289 S.W.3d 844, 848 (Tex. 2009). We indulge every reasonable inference and resolve 

any doubts in the nonmovant’s favor. 20801, Inc. v. Parker, 249 S.W.3d 392, 399 (Tex. 

2008). A defendant who conclusively negates at least one essential element of a cause 

of action is entitled to summary judgment on that claim. Frost Nat’l Bank v. Fernandez, 

315 S.W.3d 494, 508 (Tex. 2010), cert. denied, 562 U.S. 1180 (2011); see Tex. R. Civ. P. 

166a(b), (c).
15

A party moving for summary judgment on its own claim must prove 

entitlement to summary judgment on each element of the party’s cause of action. 

Martin v. Palmer, 1 S.W.3d 875, 876–77 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, pet. 

denied). Once the movant has established a right to summary judgment, the burden 

shifts to the nonmovant. Peterson v. Continental Cas. Co., 997 S.W.2d 893, 895 (Tex. 

App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, no pet.). The nonmovant must then respond and 

present any issues that would preclude summary judgment for the movant. Id. (citing 

City of Houston v. Clear Creek Basin Auth., 589 S.W.2d 671, 678 (Tex. 1979)). A 

defendant relying upon an affirmative defense must then come forward with evidence 

raising a fact issue on each element of its affirmative defense to avoid the summary 

judgment on that basis. Brownlee v. Brownlee, 665 S.W.2d 111, 112 (Tex. 1984); Bauer v. 

Jasso, 946 S.W.2d 552, 555 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1997, no pet.).

THE SEVERSES’ CLAIMS AGAINST MIRA VISTA

The Severses set forth ten issues in this appeal. Because the first six issues 

concern their claim for breach of contract, we will address those issues together. We 

will address the remaining issues concerning the Severses’ remaining causes of action 

individually.

I. Breach of Contract 

The Severses believe that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment 

on their breach-of-contract claim because it misconstrued the language contained in 

the CCRs and Guidelines. The Severses claim Mira Vista’s actions were arbitrary and 
16

capricious in reasoning that the two-story addition to the Gaudins’ home would not 

change the already-existing footprint with an eight-foot side setback, even though the 

Guidelines restrict construction within a fifteen-foot setback. The Severses’ 

contention appears to be that because the Gaudins’ home, as already constructed 

fourteen years earlier, was already in violation of the fifteen-foot setback 

requirements, any additional construction within the setback—even if only building 

vertically and thus not altering the “footprint”—would still need to go through the 

requisite application-and-approval-of-a-variance process or simply be denied.

In response, Mira Vista contends that the Guidelines do not apply to the 

Gaudins’ home as a “phase 1 home” and that in any event, Mira Vista can waive any 

such requirements. Further, Mira Vista asserts that a statutory presumption of 

reasonableness applies to their decision pursuant to section 202.004 of the property 

code and that the Severses failed to overcome the presumption to establish that Mira 

Vista acted in an arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory manner. Tex. Prop. Code 

Ann. § 202.004(a) (West 2014).

A. Applicable Law Concerning Restrictive Covenants

We review the trial court’s construction of restrictive covenants de novo. See 

Garrett v. Sympson, 523 S.W.3d 862, 866 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2017, pet. denied). 

When interpreting restrictive covenants, we apply the general rules of contract 

construction. Id. (citing Pilarcik v. Emmons, 966 S.W.2d 474, 478 (Tex. 1998)). Our 

primary task is to determine the drafter’s intent from the instrument’s language. Id.
17

(citing Wilmoth v. Wilcox, 734 S.W.2d 656, 658 (Tex. 1987)). In ascertaining the 

drafter’s intent, we must examine the covenant as a whole in light of the 

circumstances present when the covenant was made. See id. (citing Pilarcik, 

966 S.W.2d at 478). Words used in a restrictive covenant may not be enlarged,

extended, stretched, or changed by construction; words and phrases used in the 

covenant must be given their commonly accepted meaning. Id. (citing Wilmoth, 

734 S.W.2d at 657–58; Dyegard Land P’ship v. Hoover, 39 S.W.3d 300, 308 (Tex. App.—

Fort Worth 2001, no pet.)).

If a restrictive covenant can be given a definite legal meaning, it is 

unambiguous and should be construed liberally to effectuate its intent. See id. (citing 

Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 202.003(a) (West 2014)); Jennings v. Bindseil, 258 S.W.3d 190, 

195 (Tex. App.—Austin 2008, no pet.); Vill. of Pheasant Run Homeowners Ass’n, Inc. v. 

Kastor, 47 S.W.3d 747, 751 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, pet. denied) 

(explaining a liberal construction of restrictive covenants pursuant to section 

202.003(a) is a statutory exception to the common-law rule of strict construction). 

Only when a restrictive covenant may reasonably be interpreted in more than one way 

is it ambiguous, and in that case we will resolve all doubts in favor of the free and 

unrestricted use of the property, strictly construing any ambiguity against the party 

seeking to enforce the restriction. Garrett, 523 S.W.3d at 866 (citing Wilmoth, 

734 S.W.2d at 657; Dyegard Land P’ship, 39 S.W.3d at 308–09).
18

The party seeking to enforce a restrictive covenant has the burden of showing 

that the restriction is valid and enforceable. Gillebaard v. Bayview Acres Ass’n, 

263 S.W.3d 342, 347 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, pet. denied). If the 

dispute centers on “[a]n exercise of discretionary authority by a property owner’s 

association . . . concerning a restrictive covenant,” the association’s action is 

statutorily presumed reasonable unless it is shown that its action was arbitrary, 

capricious, or discriminatory. Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 202.004(a); see also Gettysburg 

Homeowners Ass’n v. Pulte Corp. of Tex., No. B14-89-00596-CV, 1990 WL 38271, at 

*3 (Tex. App—Houston [14th Dist.] Mar. 29, 1990, no writ) (reversing summary 

judgment on builder’s claim that association wrongfully rejected builder’s plans on 

statutory ground).

B. The ACC’s Decisions Were Within Its Contractual Authority

Although the parties advance several arguments, in our view, the Severses’ 

breach-of-contract claim ultimately turns on the scope of the ACC’s authority to vary 

or waive its standards and procedures for approving the Gaudins’ second-story 

addition and whether Mira Vista thus violated the CCRs and Guidelines. That is, 

whether the fifteen-foot side setback requirement of section 2.1 of the Guidelines 

applies to the Gaudins’ phase-1 home and second-story addition—an issue on which 

the parties vehemently disagree—may not be dispositive if the Guidelines grant the 

ACC discretion to waive any such requirements contained therein. Thus, we begin by 

examining the plain language of section 5.15.
19

Section 5.15 of the Guidelines states, in part, “The Architectural Control 

Committee reserves the right to waive or vary any of the procedures or standards set forth 

herein at its discretion for good cause shown.” [Emphasis added]. We make several 

observations about this language. First, section 5.15 of the Guidelines distinguishes 

between the ACC’s right to waive or vary. This matters because the remainder of 

section 5.15 concerns the requirements for granting variances, which, inter alia, must 

be requested in writing. So, although it is undisputed that no written variance was 

requested or issued for the second-story addition, the ACC would still have discretion 

under the Guidelines to waive—i.e., intentionally relinquish its right to enforce5

—any 

procedure or standard should it apply. Second, the ACC may waive “any of the 

procedures or standards.” [Emphasis added]. This is a categorical statement that 

expressly applies to both procedures and standards. We read the fifteen-foot side 

setback of section 2.1 to be a standard, so the ACC could waive it. Similarly, any 

procedure for the approval of construction—i.e., presubmission and approval of 

building plans—could also be waived. Finally, the fifteen-foot side setback 

requirement that the Severses seek to enforce is located “herein” in section 2.1 of the 

Guidelines. Thus, the ACC could waive the side setback requirement in approving 

any construction.

 5

See Teal Trading & Dev., LP v. Champee Springs Ranches Prop. Owners Ass’n, 

534 S.W.3d 558, 584 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2017, pet. filed) (explaining that in the 

context of restrictive covenants, “[w]aiver is the intentional relinquishment of a 

known right or intentional conduct that is inconsistent with asserting that right”).
20

We conclude that this plain language expressly grants the ACC discretion to 

waive any procedures and standards necessary to approve the Gaudins’ second-story 

addition. Thus, we hold that the ACC was within its contractual authority to alter its 

approval process or any applicable side-setback standards via waiver—even if the 

second-story addition conflicted with section 2.1 of the Guidelines. See Pilarcik, 

966 S.W.2d at 480 (concluding that “[b]ecause the Architectural Control Committee 

had the authority to waive” certain roof requirements under the restrictive covenants, 

“the waiver provided by the ACC was effective”).

We overrule the Severses’ first and second issues.

C. No Showing Mira Vista Breached

The Severses also challenge what they characterize as the trial court’s implied 

finding that Mira Vista did not breach the Guidelines. The Severses assert ten 

examples of Mira Vista’s purported breaches of the Guidelines that would challenge 

an implied finding that Mira Vista did not breach the Guidelines. However, all ten 

examples concern various approval procedures under sections four and five of the 

Guidelines, and as shown above, Mira Vista did not breach the CCRs or Guidelines as 

any breach-of-contract claims related to the approval process and fifteen-foot side 

setback requirements are subject to the ACC’s contractual right of waiver.6

 

Therefore, we overrule the Severses’ third issue.

 6

Moreover, the first purported breach concerns the Gaudins and not Mira 

Vista. Not only did the Severses nonsuit all claims against the Gaudins, but in that 
21

D. Neither Decision Was Arbitrary, Capricious, or Discriminatory

The Severses have an additional burden to rebut the statutory presumption that 

the ACC acted reasonably in altering its approval procedures and approving the 

Gaudins’ second-story addition. In issues four, five, and six, the Severses challenge 

the trial court’s implied findings that the ACC acted reasonably.

The property code provides that “[a]n exercise of discretionary authority by a 

property owners’ association or other representative designated by an owner of real 

property concerning a restrictive covenant is presumed reasonable unless the court 

determines by a preponderance of the evidence that the exercise of discretionary 

authority was arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory.” See Tex. Prop. Code Ann. 

§ 202.004(a). This statutory presumption of reasonableness applies to actions of the 

ACC. See Hardee v. Westminster Glen Phase I Homeowner’s Ass’n., Inc., No. 03-00-00445-

CV, 2001 WL 223383, at *3 (Tex. App.—Austin Mar. 8, 2001, no pet.) (not 

designated for publication) (discussing section 202.004(a)’s presumption of 

reasonableness in light of actions taken by the HOA’s architectural committee).

Applying section 202.004(a)’s presumption of reasonableness to the ACC’s 

approval of the Gaudins’ second-story addition, the Severses failed to produce 

sufficient evidence to controvert that the ACC acted reasonably. Indeed, a review of 

 

instance, it is undisputed that Mira Vista responded to the Gaudins’ failure to obtain 

building approval from the ACC prior to the City of Fort Worth by fining the builder 

and halting construction.
22

the record reveals that the first action taken by the ACC was to halt construction and 

fine the Gaudins’ builder upon learning that the Gaudins had begun the second-story 

addition without approval from the ACC. This demonstrated a willingness of the 

ACC to enforce the CCRs and Guidelines against the Gaudins. Further, the Severses 

were provided opportunities to voice their objections at the on-site March 21, 

2014 meeting, the April 1, 2014 HOA meeting, and the April 3, 2014 emergency ACC 

meeting. The ACC then met once more, and only after expressly considering the 

Severses’ objections, reviewing the Gaudins’ building plans, and visiting the building 

site, the ACC notified the Severses in writing that it had decided to approve the 

second-story addition because it complied with all applicable height, materials, and 

color requirements, and neither the Guidelines nor CCRs contain anything related to 

view. The ACC also reasoned that the renovation did not alter the home’s footprint, 

which was (1) approved of before the Guidelines were adopted, and (2) accepted by 

the Severses when they purchased the adjacent home in 2013.

We hold that the ACC’s decision to approve the Gaudins’ addition was not 

arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory and that the Severses failed to produce 

sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption that the ACC’s decision was reasonable. 

See Uptegraph v. Sandalwood Civic Club, 312 S.W.3d 918, 935 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st 

Dist.] 2010, no pet.) (holding record demonstrated ACC had not shown favoritism to 

ACC member whose fence was in violation of setback restriction because his original 
23

plans were initially rejected by the ACC before being amended and approved, and the 

ACC had thus acted reasonably in denying homeowner’s request for variance).

Applying this analysis to the ACC’s decision to alter the approval process yields 

the same result. As held above, the ACC was acting within its contractual authority to 

waive its approval procedures, and the reasons it cited—namely, no new foundation 

work and compliance with all height, color, and materials requirements—reasonably 

support such actions. See id. We also note that even with an altered approval process, 

the record supports that each member of the ACC still reviewed the Gaudins’ 

building plans and personally visited the building site. Further, the record supports 

that the ACC frequently streamlines its approval process for construction that is not 

“new” construction. Therefore, we hold that nothing concerning the ACC’s decision 

to waive certain approval procedures was arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory, and 

the Severses fail to produce evidence to sufficiently rebut the presumption of 

reasonableness. See id.

We overrule the Severses’ fourth, fifth, and sixth issues.

II. Declaratory Relief

In issue seven, the Severses claim the trial court improperly granted summary 

judgment on its seven requests for declaratory relief. The Severses presented the trial 

court with the following requests for declaratory judgment:

(1) A declaration that the CCRs and Guidelines impose a general 

scheme of development, particularly as related to side 

setbacks;
24

(2) A declaration that the fifteen-foot side setback applies to the 

Gaudin residence;

(3) A declaration that the Gaudin’s remodeling project violates the 

Guidelines;

(4) A declaration that the ACC violated the Guidelines by 

approving the Gaudins’ addition;

(5) A declaration that the Gaudins’ home be returned to its 

previous condition and that no remodel construction can occur 

within the fifteen-foot side setback;

(6) A declaration that the air conditioning units and pool pumps 

located next to the property line violate the Guidelines; and

(7) A declaration that the HOA violated the CCRs and Guidelines 

when it approved the Gaudins’ addition.

A. Declaratory Relief is Unavailable if Granting Such Would 

Constitute an Advisory Opinion or if the Issue Is Whether a 

Contract Was Breached

The Uniform Declaratory Judgements Act’s (UDJA) purpose is to “settle and 

afford relief from uncertainty and insecurity with respect to rights, status, and other 

legal relations.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 37.002(b) (West 2015). “A 

declaratory judgment is appropriate only if a justiciable controversy exists as to the 

rights and status of the parties and the controversy will be resolved by the declaration 

sought.” Bonham State Bank v. Beadle, 907 S.W.2d 465, 467 (Tex. 1995). The UDJA, 

however, does not grant courts the authority to render advisory opinions. See Patterson 

v. Planned Parenthood of Houston and Se. Tex., Inc., 971 S.W.2d 439, 443 (Tex. 1998); 

Schecter v. Wildwood Developers, L.L.C., 214 S.W.3d 117, 121 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2006, 

no pet.) (“An opinion is advisory when the judgment sought would not constitute 
25

specific relief to a litigant or affect legal relations.”). Nor does the UDJA permit 

courts to grant declaratory relief when the real issue is determining whether a party 

breached an agreement. See Bonham State Bank, 907 S.W.2d at 467; Hill v. Heritage Res., 

Inc., 964 S.W.2d 89, 140 (Tex. App—El Paso 1997, pet. denied).

B. Each of the Severses’ Seven Claims Either Seeks an Advisory 

Opinion or Concerns a Contractual Dispute

None of the Severses’ seven requests are appropriate candidates for declaratory 

relief. Rather, requests three through seven duplicate the relief sought under the 

Severses’ breach-of-contract claims. The Severses do not request that we determine 

the parties’ rights under the CCRs or Guidelines but instead ask for us to declare that 

that Mira Vista and the ACC breached when they approved the Gaudins’ addition. 

Such a declaration is both duplicative, considering the Severses’ breach-of-contract 

claim, and inappropriate under section 37.002 of the UDJA. Moreover, considering 

that the Severses nonsuited the Gaudins, there is no basis for this Court to grant 

declaratory relief on the Severses’ third, fifth, and sixth requests.

Further, requests one through three effectively request advisory opinions 

because the evidence proffered by Mira Vista and discussed at length above 

demonstrates that the Gaudins’ addition does not violate the side setback provision 

because the ACC had authority under the Guidelines to waive any such requirement. 

Thus, rendering a declaratory judgment on requests one through three would be 
26

advisory because the side-setback guidelines were not implicated in the ACC’s 

approval of the renovation.

Therefore, because each of the seven claims for declaratory relief either 

concerns a contractual dispute or would constitute an advisory opinion, we overrule 

the Severses’ seventh issue.

III. Issue Eight: the Severses’ Promissory Estoppel, Negligent 

Misrepresentation, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, and Private Nuisance 

Claims

In their eighth issue, the Severses challenge summary judgment on their claims 

of promissory estoppel, negligent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and 

private nuisance.7

A. Promissory Estoppel

The Severses asserted that, in the alternative to their breach-of-contract claim, 

they should recover under a theory of promissory estoppel. The Severses claim that 

 7

The Severses’ briefing regarding their promissory estoppel and negligent 

misrepresentation claims appears not to challenge the merits of the claims, but that 

the trial court improperly dismissed them via summary judgment because the Severses 

pleaded these claims in the alternative to their breach-of-contract claim. If we follow 

the Severses’ argument correctly, in the event their breach-of-contract claim failed, 

their promissory estoppel and negligent misrepresentation claims would step in and 

fill the shoes of the dismissed breach-of-contract claim. However, this argument 

ignores the fact that their breach-of-contract claim could fail—not for lack of an 

enforceable contract—but because there simply was no breach. In that case, as in this 

case, the enforceable contract covering the same subject matter as the alleged 

misrepresentation and providing for the same measure of damages generally renders 

promissory estoppel and negligent misrepresentation claims unavailable. In the 

interest of thoroughness, however, we briefly address the merits of these claims.
27

they suffered by detrimentally relying on section 2.1 of the Guidelines and article 

10(b) of the CCRs when they decided to purchase their home in Mira Vista.

1. Promissory estoppel is inapplicable when the disputed 

promises are contained within a written contract.

Although primarily a defensive matter, promissory estoppel is also a cause of 

action available to a promisee who has determinately relied on an otherwise 

unenforceable promise. In re Weekley Homes, L.P., 180 S.W.3d 127, 133–34 (Tex. 

2005); Burkett v. Lake Country Prop. Owners Ass’n, No. 02-13-00090-CV, 

2014 WL 1510137, at *2 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Apr. 17, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op.). 

“If, however, a valid contract between the parties covers the alleged promise, 

promissory estoppel is not applicable to that promise. Instead, the wronged party 

must seek damages under the contract.” El Paso Healthcare Sys., Ltd. v. Piping Rock 

Corp., 939 S.W.2d 695, 699 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1997, writ denied) (citing Guaranty 

Bank v. Lone Star Life Ins. Co., 568 S.W.2d 431, 434 (Tex. Civ. App.—Dallas 1978, writ 

ref’d n.r.e.)); see also Lake v. Cravens, 488 S.W.3d 867, 907 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 

2016, no pet.); Burkett, 2014 WL 1510137, at *2 (“[T]he promisee cannot [choose to]

disregard the contract and sue for reliance damages under the doctrine of promissory 

estoppel.”).

2. The alleged promise was within the scope of the 

contract.

Here, the CCRs and Guidelines are contracts that govern the instant dispute. 

Indeed, the primary focus of this lawsuit concerned disputes about the interpretation 
28

and application of these contracts. However, the Severses fail to allege, let alone 

establish, that they detrimentally relied on a promise made by Mira Vista separate or 

apart from these documents. Rather, the Severses readily acknowledge that their 

decision to move into Mira Vista was motivated by the words contained in these contracts—

not oral promises outside of these contracts—which they received before purchasing 

the home. Therefore, promissory estoppel is inapplicable to the instant dispute. See 

Burkett, 2014 WL 1510137, at *3 (holding promissory estoppel is “not a viable claim” 

for homeowner to recover due to an HOA’s allegedly erroneous interpretation of an 

enforceable restrictive covenant).

The Severses argue that section 2.1 of the Guidelines is a proper basis for 

promissory estoppel because if its fifteen-foot side-setback restriction does not apply 

to the Gaudins’ lot, it must be considered a representation outside of the contractual 

agreement. This argument is incorrect. As explained above, the requirements of 

section 2.1 must be read in light of and harmonized with the rest of the Guidelines, 

which includes the waiver provision of section 5.15. See Owens v. Ousey, 241 S.W.3d 

124, 130 (Tex. App.—Austin 2007, pet. denied) (explaining courts “must construe 

restrictive covenants as a whole, give effect to every sentence, clause, and word of a 

covenant, and avoid constructions that would render parts of the covenant 

superfluous or inoperative”). Thus, we read the ACC’s right “to waive . . . any . . . 

standards set forth herein” in harmony with, and as an exception to, the standards of 

section 2.1. See Stable Energy, L.P. v. Kachina Oil & Gas, Inc., 52 S.W.3d 327, 336 (Tex. 
29

App.—Austin 2001, no pet.) (rejecting promissory estoppel because the alleged 

representation was part of a valid contract and a party to a contract has a duty to be 

familiar with its terms).

Because the Severses failed to present any evidence that they detrimentally 

relied on a promise that was outside of the CCRs and Guidelines, admit that the 

written contracts contain the disputed promise, and base their promissory-estoppel 

claim on the same provision on which they base their breach-of-contract claim, we 

overrule this portion of the Severses’ eighth issue.

B. Negligent Misrepresentation

The Severses also filed a claim for negligent misrepresentation based on the 

provisions contained in the CCRs and Guidelines. The Severses argue that the trial 

court erred in finding that there was a valid contract between Mira Vista and the 

Severses. Mira Vista responds that the existence of enforceable contracts—the CCRs 

and Guidelines—and the economic loss rule bar the Severses’ claim for negligent 

misrepresentation.

1. Negligent misrepresentation is a tort that requires that the 

claim is separate from a contract claim, and that there be an

injury independent of contractual damages.

The existence of a valid contract between the parties is not an absolute bar to a 

negligent-misrepresentation claim. Formosa Plastics Corp. USA v. Presidio Eng’rs and 

Contractors, Inc., 960 S.W.2d 41, 47 (Tex. 1998) (holding even where there is a contract 
30

between the parties, Texas courts will not apply the economic loss doctrine to bar a 

tort suit when the defendant is alleged to have breached “an independent legal duty, 

separate from the existence of the contract itself”); cf. Robert K. Wise & Heather E. 

Poole, Negligent Misrepresentation in Texas: The Misunderstood Tort, 40 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 

845, 847 (2008) (“Originally, only parties in privity of contract could sue a provider of 

information for negligent misrepresentation.”). However, when a valid contract does 

exist between the parties, an injury independent of the contract must occur to maintain a 

separate claim for negligent misrepresentation. D.S.A., Inc. v. Hillsboro Indep. Sch. Dist., 

973 S.W.2d 662, 664 (Tex. 1998) (relying on Restatement (Second) of Torts § 552B). 

That is, Texas law precludes a negligent misrepresentation claim for recovery of 

economic loss if said loss is recoverable under a breach-of-contract claim. 

LAN/STV v. Martin K. Eby Const. Co., 435 S.W.3d 234, 246–47 (Tex. 2014); see also 

Sterling Chemicals, Inc. v. Texaco Inc., 259 S.W.3d 793, 797–98 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st 

Dist.] 2007, pet. denied) (holding independent injury rule precluded recovery under 

negligent misrepresentation because appellant only sought benefit-of-the-bargain 

damages, which were recoverable under breach-of-contract claim).

2. There was a contract between the parties, the loss 

claimed is subject to contract claims, and no independent 

injury was alleged.

Here, it is undisputed that there were two valid contracts between the parties. 

Indeed, the Severses’ primary cause of action centers on the interpretation and 

enforcement of the CCRs and the Guidelines. Moreover, the Severses’ claim for a 
31

diminution of their home’s value arises solely from claims related to the alleged breach 

of the CCRs and Guidelines. That is, the economic losses they claim are due to the 

benefit of their bargain, which sounds in contract. Finally, the Severses fail to allege 

any misrepresentations outside of the CCRs and Guidelines and fail to point to any 

injuries independent of the damages they sought to recover under their breach-ofcontract claim.

Thus, we hold that the Severses’ claim for negligent misrepresentation fails due 

to the economic loss rule. See Sterling Chemicals, Inc., 259 S.W.3d at 798. We overrule 

this portion of the Severses’ eighth issue.

C. Breach of Fiduciary Duty

The Severses also claim that Mira Vista owed them a fiduciary duty as lot 

owners in Mira Vista.

1. Whether a fiduciary duty exists is a question of law 

absent evidence of a confidential relationship.

To succeed on a breach-of-fiduciary-duty claim, a plaintiff must establish, “(1) a 

fiduciary relationship between the plaintiff and defendant, (2) a breach by the 

defendant of his fiduciary duty to the plaintiff, and (3) an injury to the plaintiff or 

benefit to the defendant as a result of the defendant’s breach.” Lindley v. McKnight, 

349 S.W.3d 113, 124 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011, no pet.) (citing Lundy v. Masson, 

260 S.W.3d 482, 501 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, pet. denied)). Certain 

formal relationships create fiduciary relationships as a matter of law. See, e.g., Garrison 
32

Contractors, Inc. v Liberty Mutual Ins. Co., 927 S.W.2d 296, 301 (Tex. App.—El Paso 

1996), aff’d, 966 S.W.2d 482 (Tex. 1998). But informal relationships—whether moral, 

social, domestic, or purely personal—may also give rise to fiduciary duties where one 

person trusts in and relies on another. Schlumberger Tech. Corp. v. Swanson, 959 S.W.2d 

171, 176 (Tex. 1997). But not every relationship involving a high degree of trust and 

confidence rises to the status of a fiduciary relationship. Id. at 176–77. Indeed, to

give full force to contracts, Texas courts do not create such a relationship lightly. Id.

at 177. Accordingly, although a fiduciary or confidential relationship may arise from 

the circumstances of a particular case, to impose such a relationship in a business 

transaction, the relationship must exist prior to, and apart from, the agreement made 

the basis of the suit. Id.; see also T.F.W. Mgmt., Inc. v. Westwood Shores Prop. Owners 

Ass’n, 79 S.W.3d 712, 720 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2002, pet. denied) 

(declining to recognize fiduciary duty between owner of a country club and property 

owners’ association that paid club fees).

Determining whether a fiduciary relationship exists, formal or otherwise, is a 

question of law. Plotkin v. Joekel, 304 S.W.3d 455, 479 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st 

Dist.] 2009, pet. denied); Envtl. Procedures, Inc. v. Guidry, 282 S.W.3d 602, 627 (Tex. 

App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, pet. denied). 
33

2. There is no fiduciary relationship between the Severses 

and Mira Vista.

The cases cited and relied on by the Severses each concerned the relationship 

between a condominium association and an owner. Sassen v. Tanglegrove Townhouse 

Condominium Ass’n, 877 S.W.2d 489, 492–93 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1994, writ 

denied); Harris By & Through Harris v. Spires Council of Co-Owners, 981 S.W.2d 892, 

898 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1998, no pet.). But a condominium association 

is governed by title 7 of the property code, see Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 81.001–

82.164 (West 2014 & Supp. 2017), whereas a homeowners’ association is governed by 

title 11. See Tex. Prop. Code Ann. §§ 201.001–215.018 (West 2014 & Supp. 2017). 

Thus, as an initial matter, it is not clear that the Severses’ authorities are apposite.

But more than that, the Severses set forth no evidence that a formal or 

informal fiduciary relationship of trust and confidence exists between the two parties 

prior to, and apart from, the contractual relationship. Nor do the Severses set forth 

evidence of a fiduciary duty owed to them by Mira Vista under their status as property 

owners under the CCRs and Guidelines. Our review of the CCRs and Guidelines 

likewise does not reveal an agreement to enter into a fiduciary relationship.

Therefore, we hold that the record supports the trial court’s conclusion that no 

fiduciary relationship exists between Mira Vista and the Severses. See La Ventana 

Ranch Owners’ Ass’n, Inc. v. Davis, 363 S.W.3d 632, 646 (Tex. App.—Austin 2011, pet. 

denied) (reversing jury finding of informal fiduciary relationship between two 
34

members of the HOA’s architectural committee and the HOA’s homeowners because 

evidence was legally insufficient when the only evidence supporting such a 

relationship was based two homeowners’ testimony of subjective beliefs).

Accordingly, we overrule this portion of the Severses’ eighth issue.

D. Private Nuisance

The Severses’ appeal the summary judgment on their claim for private nuisance 

on the ground that an issue of material fact exists.

A private nuisance is “a condition that substantially interferes with the use and 

enjoyment of land by causing unreasonable discomfort or annoyance to persons of 

ordinary sensibilities attempting to use and enjoy it.” Crosstex N. Texas Pipeline, L.P. v. 

Gardiner, 505 S.W.3d 580, 593 (Tex. 2016) (quoting Holubec v. Brandenberger, 111 S.W.3d 

32, 37 (Tex. 2003)). The Supreme Court of Texas has explained that although 

questions surrounding a private nuisance “generally present questions of fact for the 

jury to decide,” a court may decide these issues as a matter of law “if the underlying 

facts are undisputed or, in light of all the evidence, ‘reasonable minds cannot differ.’” 

Id. at 609 (quoting Hernandez v. Tokai Corp., 2 S.W.3d 251, 261 (Tex. 1999)).

Among others, a key problem for the Severses’ private nuisance action against 

Mira Vista is that the Severses do not allege any action taken by Mira Vista that would 

constitute substantial interference with the Severses’ reasonable enjoyment of their 

home. And, it must be the defendant who substantially interferes with the plaintiff’s 

use and enjoyment of their property. See, e.g., Randall Noe Chrysler Dodge, LLP v. Oakley 
35

Tire Co., 308 S.W.3d 542, 549 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2010, pet. denied) (affirming 

summary judgment on nuisance claim against business owner who hired painter that 

purportedly created nuisance because owner did not control painter or participate in 

painter’s actions). Mira Vista permitted but did not participate in the construction of 

the Gaudins’ second-story addition. See id. As such, Mira Vista was not the actor who 

purportedly interfered with the Severses’ use and enjoyment of their property and no 

such private nuisance claim is available to them.8

Moreover, Texas courts have consistently denied private nuisance claims for

loss of view. See, e.g., Rankin v. FPL Energy, LLC, 266 S.W.3d 506, 512 (Tex. App.—

Eastland 2008, pet. denied) (“Texas caselaw recognizes few restrictions on the lawful 

use of property. If Plaintiffs have the right to bring a nuisance action because a 

neighbor’s lawful activity substantially interferes with their view, they have, in effect, 

the right to zone the surrounding property.”); Scharlack v. Gulf Oil Corp., 368 S.W.2d 

705, 707 (Tex. Civ. App.—San Antonio 1963, no writ) (“[A] building or structure 

cannot be complained of as a nuisance merely because it obstructs the view of 

neighboring property.”). Based on the undisputed facts of this case, reasonable minds 

cannot differ that the second-story addition—which complies with the Guidelines, 

other than the alleged preexisting side-setback violation—does not constitute a private 

nuisance because it may interfere with the Severses’ view.

 8

Nor did the Severses plead or prove an agency relationship between Mira Vista 

and the Gaudins.
36

Because Mira Vista is not an appropriate defendant for this private nuisance 

action and, even if it were, the alleged loss-of-view harm is routinely rejected by Texas 

courts when it is used as the basis for a private nuisance claim, we hold that the trial 

court did not err in granting summary judgment.

We overrule the Severses’ eighth issue.

IV. Issues Nine and Ten

In issue nine, the Severses assert that the trial court erred to the extent that it 

granted summary judgment pursuant to section 204.011 of the property code. See

Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 204.011 (West 2014). In issue ten, the Severses assert that 

the trial court erred to the extent that it relied upon the doctrine of judicial 

nonintervention in granting summary judgment.

These issues have minimal briefing with almost no citations to the record or 

applicable authorities. Issue nine is comprised of three sentences, and issue ten 

amounts to a repackaging of the Severses’ argument that the ACC acted arbitrarily and 

capriciously in approving the Gaudins’ second-story addition. These inadequacies 

notwithstanding, because we affirm summary judgment on other grounds, we need 

not address these issues. Tex. R. App. P. 47.4. Accordingly, they are overruled.

ATTORNEY’S FEES

I. In General

The United States Supreme Court has recently opined that when reviewing an 

award of attorney’s fees, the “American Rule” is the “bedrock principle” that forms 
37

the “basic point of reference.” Baker Botts L.L.P. v. ASARCO LLC, 135 S. Ct. 2158, 

2164, (2015) (quoting Hardt v. Reliance Standard Life Ins. Co., 560 U.S. 242, 252–53, 

130 S. Ct. 2149 (2010)). Texas adheres to the American Rule, which means that 

litigants may recover attorney’s fees only if specifically provided for by statute or 

contract.9

 Intercontinental Grp. P’ship v. KB Home Lone Star L.P., 295 S.W.3d 650, 653 & 

n.7 (Tex. 2009); Tony Gullo Motors I, L.P. v. Chapa, 212 S.W.3d 299, 311 (Tex. 2006) 

(“Absent a contract or statute, trial courts do not have inherent authority to require a 

losing party to pay the prevailing party’s fees.”). “Parties to a contract may also 

recover attorney’s fees, . . . if they arrange for such recovery as a contractual term.” 

Silver Lion, Inc. v. Dolphin Street, Inc., No. 01-07-00370-CV, 2010 WL 2025749, at 

*17 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] May 20, 2010, pet. denied) (mem. op. on reh’g) 

(citing New Amsterdam Cas. v. Tex. Indus., Inc., 414 S.W.2d 914, 915 (Tex. 1967)). So, 

although a party suing for breach of contract may seek to recover attorney’s fees 

pursuant to the requirements of section 38.001 of the civil practice and remedies 

code, parties are free to contract for recovery of attorney’s fees without such

limitations. See Intercontinental Grp. P’ship, 295 S.W.3d at 653; Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. 

Code Ann. § 38.001(8) (West 2015).

 9

The American Rule is characterized as such in contrast with the “English 

Rule.” See Alyeska Pipeline Serv. Co. v. Wilderness Soc’y, 421 U.S. 240, 247, 95 S. Ct. 1612, 

1616, (1975) (“At common law, costs were not allowed; but for centuries in England 

there has been statutory authorization to award costs, including attorneys’ fees. 

Although the matter is in the discretion of the court, counsel fees are regularly 

allowed to the prevailing party.”).
38

The Gaudins and Mira Vista asserted the same contractual (article 12.05 of the 

CCRs) and statutory (section 37.009 of the civil practice and remedies code) grounds 

to support their counterclaims for attorney’s fees.10

II. Article 12.05 of the CCRs

A. Standard of Review

We generally review a trial court’s award or denial of attorney’s fees for an 

abuse of discretion. Polanksy v. Berenji, 393 S.W.3d 362, 367 (Tex. App.—Austin 2012, 

no pet.). There is some uncertainty, however, as to the standard of review when, as is 

the case here, we review a trial court’s decision to deny a defendant’s counterclaim for 

attorney’s fees under a “prevailing party” clause in a contract when the contract does 

not define “prevailing party” and the plaintiff has nonsuited its claims without 

prejudice. N. Star Water Logic, LLC v. Ecolotron, Inc., 486 S.W.3d 102, 105 (Tex. 

App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, no pet.). In accordance with the First and 

Fourteenth District Courts of Appeal, we will apply a mixed standard of review as 

follows: “[W]hether a party nonsuited to avoid an unfavorable ruling is a question of 

fact, which we review for an abuse of discretion, but we review any legal 

determinations, such as whether the suit had an arguable basis in law, de novo.” Id.; 

Referente v. City View Courtyard, L.P., 477 S.W.3d 882, 885–86 (Tex. App.—Houston 

[1st Dist.] 2015, no pet.) (“[W]e will review the trial court’s determination under Epps

 10Mira Vista does not appeal the denial of its request for attorney’s fees under 

the UDJA.
39

for an abuse of discretion, deferring to factual findings that are supported by some 

evidence, but reviewing legal questions de novo.”).

B. Attorney’s Fees Provision in the CCRs and Applicable Law

We begin our analysis with article 12.05 of the CCRs, which provides, in 

relevant part, as follows: “With respect to any litigation hereunder, the prevailing 

party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the nonprevailing 

party.” The CCRs do not, however, provide a definition of “prevailing party.” Thus, 

to resolve the Gaudins’ and Mira Vista’s appeal, we must determine what is meant by 

this term.11

The Supreme Court of Texas has instructed that when interpreting a 

contractual attorney’s fee provision in which the “prevailing party” term is left 

undefined, we are to “presume the parties intended the term’s ordinary meaning.” 

Intercontinental Grp. P’ship, 295 S.W.3d at 653 (citing Valence Operating Co. v. Dorsett,

164 S.W.3d 656, 662 (Tex. 2005)); see also Kingsley Props., LP v. San Jacinto Title Servs. of 

Corpus Christi, LLC, 501 S.W.3d 344, 349 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2016, no pet.) 

(“Contracting parties may determine the standard that will govern the attorney’s fee 

 11Upon a showing of prevailing-party status, article 12.05’s use of the word 

“shall” clearly indicates that the recovery of reasonable attorney’s fees from the 

nonprevailing party is mandatory. See World Help v. Leisure Lifestyles, Inc., 977 S.W.2d 

662, 683 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1998, pet. denied) (recognizing that while a trial 

court has discretion to fix the amount of attorney’s fees, it does not have the 

discretion to completely deny attorney’s fees if they are proper); Lesikar v. Moon, 

237 S.W.3d 361, 367 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, pet. denied) (“The word 

‘shall’ as used in contracts is generally mandatory, operating to impose a duty.”).
40

award for a ‘prevailing party,’ rather than relying on the definition of that term in the 

case law. In such cases, it is the language of the contract, not the statute or case law, 

which governs.”) (internal citations omitted).

Construing an attorney’s-fees provision similar to this one, the Fourteenth 

Court of Appeals noted that the “contractual provision entitling a ‘prevailing party’ to 

recover attorneys’ fees does not distinguish between successful prosecution and 

successful defense of a claim.” Chevron Phillips Chem. Co. LP v. Kingwood Crossroads, LP, 

346 S.W.3d 37, 70 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2011, pet. denied). Accordingly, 

under this provision, a defendant is the prevailing party if it successfully defends the 

case, which is typically upon “obtaining a take-nothing judgment on the main issue or 

issues in the case.” Range v. Calvary Christian Fellowship, 530 S.W.3d 818, 838 (Tex. 

App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2017, pet. filed).

We agree, and hold that because the CCRs do not limit the definition of 

prevailing party to a successful plaintiff, Mira Vista and the Gaudins can be prevailing 

parties in successfully defending against the Severses’ claims under the CCRs, 

regardless of whether they recovered any damages or obtained other relief. See id.; 

Cambio v. Briers, No. 01-10-00807-CV, 2015 WL 2229274, at *4 (Tex. App.—Houston 

[1st Dist.] May 12, 2015, no pet.) (mem. op.) (“Although a plaintiff who receives a 

finding of liability but no damages is not a prevailing party for the purposes of 

attorney’s fees, a defendant who successfully defends against a breach of contract 
41

claim may be entitled to attorney’s fees, even if the defendant is not awarded 

damages.” (citation omitted)).

1. Mira Vista “shall” recover attorney’s fees under the CCRs as 

the “prevailing party.”

Mira Vista received a favorable disposition on the merits by obtaining a takenothing summary judgment on the Severses’ claims for breach of contract, 

promissory estoppel, negligent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and 

private nuisance, which resulted in the dismissal of said claims with prejudice. This 

changed the legal relationship between the Severses and Mira Vista. See Epps v. Fowler, 

351 S.W.3d 862, 868–69 (Tex. 2011) (holding a defendant who obtains a dismissal of 

claims with prejudice is a prevailing party because the res judicata effect works a 

permanent, inalterable change in the parties’ legal relationship to the defendant’s 

benefit and “the defendant can never again be sued by the plaintiff or its privies for 

claims arising out of the same subject matter”). Thus, Mira Vista was the prevailing 

party and the Severses were the nonprevailing party under the CCRs. Tex. State 

Teachers Ass’n v. Garland ISD, 489 U.S. 782, 792–93, 109 S. Ct. 1486, 1494 (1989) 

(explaining in context of statute providing recovery of attorney’s fees to prevailing 

party that the “touchstone of the prevailing party inquiry must be the material 

alteration of the legal relationship of the parties”); Intercontinental Grp. P’ship, 

295 S.W.3d at 652 (“We agree with the United States Supreme Court, which holds 
42

that to prevail, a claimant must obtain actual and meaningful relief, something that 

materially alters the parties’ legal relationship.”).

Nevertheless, the Severses argue that Mira Vista cannot be a prevailing party 

because Mira Vista failed to obtain any meaningful relief from the court—damages or 

equitable relief—to thereby alter the legal relationship between the Severses and Mira 

Vista. We cannot agree.

The Severses conflate a prevailing-party analysis for a successful defendant with a 

prevailing-party analysis for a successful plaintiff. It is true that courts reviewing cases 

of plaintiffs who have obtained favorable findings on their claims but were not 

awarded damages have consistently concluded that the plaintiffs were not “prevailing 

parties.” See, e.g., Intercontinental Grp. P’ship, 295 S.W.3d at 655–56 (holding “[a] standalone finding on breach confers no benefit whatsoever” and a “zero on damages 

necessarily zeroes out ‘prevailing party’ status” for plaintiff); Cont’l Healthcare, Inc. v. 

Remedy Therapy Staffing, PLLC, No. 03-14-00464-CV, 2016 WL 6068258, at *6 (Tex. 

App.—Austin Oct. 14, 2016, no pet.) (mem. op.) (reversing award of attorney’s fees 

and rendering judgment in favor of defendant because jury awarded plaintiff no

damages for breach of contract).

But these cases are inapposite because the instant case presents a question of 

whether a defendant obtaining a take nothing judgment is a prevailing party. In such 

cases, courts have consistently held that a defendant is considered a prevailing party 

by successfully defending and obtaining a take-nothing judgment on the plaintiff’s 
43

breach-of-contract claim, regardless of whether the defendant obtains any damages or 

other relief from the court. See Chevron Phillips Chem. Co. LP, 346 S.W.3d at 

70 (holding that when the “quoted contractual provision entitling a ‘prevailing party’ 

to recover attorneys’ fees does not distinguish between successful prosecution and 

successful defense of a claim” a counter-defendant was “entitled to some fees because 

it successfully defended [counter-plaintiff’s] breach-of-contract counterclaim”); Range, 

530 S.W.3d at 838 (“A defendant is the prevailing party if it successfully defends the 

case, typically by ‘obtaining a take-nothing judgment on the main issue or issues in the 

case.’”) quoting Bhatia v. Woodlands N. Houston Heart Ctr., PLLC, 396 S.W.3d 658, 

670 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2013, pet. denied))); Cambio, 

2015 WL 2229274, at *4 (“Although a plaintiff who receives a finding of liability but 

no damages is not a prevailing party for the purposes of attorney’s fees, a defendant 

who successfully defends against a breach of contract claim may be entitled to 

attorney’s fees, even if the defendant is not awarded damages.” (citation omitted)).

Therefore, we hold that Mira Vista was the prevailing party and the Severses 

were the nonprevailing party under the CCRs, so Mira Vista “shall” be entitled to 

recover their reasonable attorney’s fees from the Severses. See Cambio, 

2015 WL 2229274, at *4 (“Having successfully defended against appellees’ breach of 

contract claim based upon the Consent Agreement, [appellant] is entitled to attorney’s 

fees under the plain language of the Consent Agreement.”); Bankcard Processing Intern., 

L.L.C. v. United Bus. Servs., L.P., No. 01-10-01079-CV, 2012 WL 3776024, at *9 (Tex. 
44

App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Aug. 30, 2012, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (reversing trial 

court’s denial of defendant’s request for attorney’s fees and reasoning that defendant 

“was the prevailing party because it successfully defended this claim and the jury 

found that it did not breach the contract,” that “[t]he parties’ contract states that the 

prevailing party ‘shall’ be entitled to recover attorney’s fees,” and that “[u]nder the 

parties’ contract, [defendant] was entitled to attorney’s fees”); Bhatia, 396 S.W.3d at 

671 (parties prevailed when they received take-nothing judgment in their favor); 

Fitzgerald v. Schroeder Ventures II, LLC, 345 S.W.3d 624, 630 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 

2011, no pet.) (defendants who obtained take-nothing judgment in their favor were 

prevailing parties entitled to recover attorney’s fees under parties’ agreement); Old 

HH, Ltd. v. Henderson, No. 03-10-00129-CV, 2011 WL 6118570, at *4 (Tex. App.—

Austin Dec. 9, 2011, no pet.) (mem. op.) (defendants who prevailed in trial court 

when court rendered take-nothing judgment in their favor were entitled under 

“prevailing party” clause of contract to attorney’s fees for defense of claims asserted 

against them); Silver Lion, Inc., 2010 WL 2025749, at *18 (defendant awarded takenothing judgment on breach-of-contract claim was prevailing party entitled, under 

parties’ agreement, to recover attorney’s fees for successfully defending against claim).

Accordingly, the trial court erred in denying Mira Vista’s counterclaim for 

attorney’s fees. We sustain Mira Vista’s sole issue.
45

2. To recover under the CCRs as a “prevailing party,” the 

Gaudins must show that the Severses’ nonsuit without 

prejudice was to avoid an unfavorable ruling on the merits.

But what is the effect of the Severses’ nonsuit without prejudice? Did it 

dispose of the Gaudins’ counterclaim and render the Gaudins unable to recover their 

attorney’s fees as a “prevailing party”?

a. The nonsuit without prejudice is only effective as to 

the Severses’ claims and is not an adjudication on 

the merits of the Gaudins’ counterclaim for 

attorney’s fees.

It is blackletter law in Texas that although a plaintiff may nonsuit his claims at 

any time before introducing all of his evidence other than rebuttal evidence, a nonsuit 

is not effective with regard to a defendant’s pending claims for affirmative relief.12 

Tex. R. Civ. P. 162; see Epps, 351 S.W.3d at 868. “For example, a plaintiff’s nonsuit 

cannot extinguish a defendant’s counterclaim for costs and attorney’s fees.” Villafani 

v. Trejo, 251 S.W.3d 466, 469 (Tex. 2008). Thus, “[i]f the defendant has a pending 

claim for affirmative relief, the plaintiff’s nonsuit is effective for its own claims, but 

not for those of the defendant.” Le v. Kilpatrick, 112 S.W.3d 631, 633 (Tex. App.—

Tyler 2003, no pet.); see also Klein v. Dooley, 949 S.W.2d 307, 307 (Tex. 1997) (“A 

 12“To assert a claim for affirmative relief, a defendant must assert a cause of 

action, independent of the plaintiff’s claim, on which he could recover benefits, 

compensation, or relief.” In re Riggs, 315 S.W.3d 613, 615 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 

2010, orig. proceeding); see also In re C.A.S., 128 S.W.3d 681, 686 (Tex. App.—Dallas 

2003, no pet.) (“An affirmative claim, stated in an answer, for recovery of attorney’s 

fees for preparation and prosecution of a defense constitutes a counterclaim.”).
46

plaintiff’s voluntary nonsuit does not affect a defendant’s pending counterclaim for 

costs and attorney’s fees.”).

So, although the Severses nonsuited their claims against the Gaudins, the 

nonsuit was ineffective to dispose of the Gaudins’ pending counterclaim for 

attorney’s fees. See Villafani, 251 S.W.3d at 469. Therefore, we hold that the trial 

court’s June 25, 2015 order, which seemingly dismissed the Gaudins’ counterclaim for 

attorney’s fees, was erroneous.

But even though the trial court signed the erroneous order, the parties 

continued to brief the issue: the Gaudins’ filed a motion to vacate and the Severses’ 

filed a motion for summary judgment. Moreover, the trial court conducted a 

September 25, 2015 hearing and held a February 19, 2016 status conference—both of 

which concerned the Gaudins’ and Mira Vista’s counterclaims for attorney’s fees—

and extensively addressed the counterclaims for attorney’s fees in its December 21, 

2015 letter before ultimately disposing of the issue in the April 19, 2016 final order. 

Thus, although the trial court’s order granting the Severses’ nonsuit and purportedly 

dismissing the Gaudins’ counterclaim for attorney’s fees (as well as its letter denying 

the Gaudins’ motion to vacate) was in error, we conclude that the error is harmless 

because the Gaudins’ counterclaim for attorney’s fees was extensively briefed and 

argued and was disposed of on the merits in the April 19, 2016 final order.

Accordingly, we overrule the Gaudins’ first issue.
47

b. The Severses’ nonsuit without prejudice was not to 

avoid an unfavorable ruling on the merits.

We now analyze whether the Gaudins were a “prevailing party” under the 

CCRs following the Severses’ nonsuit without prejudice. The Gaudins essentially 

contend that the Severses’ lawsuit against them was baseless from the outset and that 

this was admitted by the Severses and their counsel. The Severses respond that that 

none of the Epps factors are present in this case and that their lawsuit had merit and 

the decision to nonsuit without prejudice was not to avoid an unfavorable ruling.

As explained above, “a defendant is a prevailing party when a plaintiff nonsuits 

a case with prejudice” because a nonsuit with prejudice is tantamount to a judgment 

on the merits and its res-judicata effect thereby permanently and inalterably changes 

the legal relationship among the parties. Epps, 351 S.W.3d at 868–69. If a plaintiff 

nonsuits a case without prejudice, however, the defendant is generally not considered a 

prevailing party because “a nonsuit without prejudice works no such change in the 

parties’ legal relationship; typically, the plaintiff remains free to re-file the same claims 

seeking the same relief.” Id. (citing Klein, 949 S.W.2d at 307). Because courts disfavor 

nonsuits that are filed “to circumvent unfavorable legal restrictions or rulings,” the 

Epps court held that “a defendant may be a prevailing party when a plaintiff nonsuits 

without prejudice if the trial court determines, on the defendant’s motion, that the 

nonsuit was taken to avoid an unfavorable ruling on the merits.” Id. at 870. The Epps

court provided some factors for courts to consider in analyzing whether a plaintiff has 
48

nonsuited to avoid an unfavorable ruling, including (1) the timing of the nonsuit, (2) if 

the plaintiff has an unexcused failure to obtain discovery of evidence that might 

disprove its claim, (3) the failure to designate material or expert witnesses, and (4) the 

existence of other procedural obstacles, such as the inability to join necessary parties. 

Id. at 870–71.

We do not find any of the Epps factors to be present in this case. First, the 

Severses’ notice of nonsuit without prejudice was not filed after the Gaudins filed a 

motion for summary judgment. Second, there is no mention—let alone evidence or 

citations to the record—from the Gaudins that establish that the Severses had failed 

to respond to requests for admission or other discovery requests, which would 

thereby support an adverse judgment. Third, there is no argument or evidence to 

support that the Severses had failed to identify experts or critical witnesses that would 

make ultimate recovery impossible. Finally, there is no argument or evidence to 

support that the Severses filed their nonsuit without prejudice because of some other 

procedural obstacle that would have defeated their claims against the Gaudins.

Thus, our analysis of the Epps factors supports the trial court’s implied finding 

that the Gaudins were not a prevailing party because the Severses’ nonsuit without 

prejudice was not to avoid an unfavorable ruling on the merits. Accord Referente, 

477 S.W.3d at 886–87 (affirming trial court’s finding that nonsuit without prejudice 

was taken to avoid unfavorable ruling when nonsuit was filed after a motion for 

summary judgment was filed).
49

Despite the absence of the Epps factors, the Gaudins direct us to a statement 

from the Severses’ counsel made during the second TRO hearing, a statement in Mr. 

Severs’s deposition, and a statement in Mrs. Severs’s deposition that she was unaware 

of the Gaudins’ counterclaim for attorney’s fees to support that the Severses 

knowingly filed meritless claims against the Gaudins and only filed the nonsuit to 

avoid an unfavorable ruling. We cannot agree.

It is clear from the record that the Gaudins did not comply with section one of 

the Guidelines because the Gaudins failed to submit their building plans to the ACC 

prior to submission to the City of Fort Worth and beginning construction. Indeed, 

Mira Vista fined the Gaudins’ builder for this action and halted construction. 

Therefore, we conclude that the Severses’ claims that the Gaudins violated the 

Guidelines were not baseless.

In light of the foregoing, we hold that the Severses did not bring a baseless 

claim and that the filing of their nonsuit without prejudice was not to avoid an 

unfavorable judgment and thus the Gaudins were not a prevailing party on that basis.

3. The Gaudins are not a prevailing party following Mira 

Vista’s take-nothing final judgment

The question remains whether the take-nothing summary judgment on the 

Severses’ claims against Mira Vista renders the Gaudins a prevailing party. That is, the 

Gaudins argue that even though the Severses took a nonsuit without prejudice, they 

still maintained all of their same claims and relief requested—including relief against 
50

the Gaudins—so, the Gaudins can essentially stand in Mira Vista’s shoes as a 

prevailing party. Put differently, because Mira Vista is a prevailing party, the Gaudins 

are a prevailing party. Although we follow the logic of the argument, the Gaudins do 

not present us with any case, nor have we located any case, that has found a codefendant who was nonsuited without prejudice to be a prevailing party because its 

former co-defendant subsequently obtained a take-nothing judgment on the merits. 

Moreover, we are concerned that for us to resolve this issue may require an 

impermissible advisory opinion.13 See Schecter, 214 S.W.3d at 121.

Therefore, we hold that the Gaudins are not a prevailing party as a result of the 

judgment in favor of Mira Vista.

III. Section 37.009 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code

Finally, we consider whether the Gaudins were entitled to their reasonable 

attorney’s fees under chapter 37 of the civil practice and remedies code.

A. Standard of Review and Applicable Law

We review de novo whether attorney’s fees are recoverable under statute. 

Holland v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 1 S.W.3d 91, 94 (Tex. 1999). “When a statute states 

that a trial court ‘may’ award attorney’s fees, such an award is discretionary and we 

review the trial court’s ruling under the abuse of discretion standard.” Playoff Corp. v. 

 13That is, the resolution would require us to decide the effect of the judgment 

in favor of Mira Vista should the Severses hypothetically file a new lawsuit against the 

Gaudins.
51

Blackwell, 300 S.W.3d 451, 458–59 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, pet. denied). A trial 

court abuses its discretion when it acts without reference to any guiding rules and 

principles. Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241–42 (Tex. 1985), 

cert. denied, 476 U.S. 1159 (1986).

In a suit for declaratory judgment, a trial court has discretion to award a party 

its costs and reasonable attorney’s fees vel non if it is equitable and just: “In any 

proceeding under this chapter, the court may award costs and reasonable and 

necessary attorney’s fees as are equitable and just.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 

Ann. § 37.009. Indeed, under section 37.009, a trial court has discretion to even 

award attorney’s fees to a nonprevailing party. See Moosavideen v. Garrett, 300 S.W.3d 

791, 802 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008, pet. denied) (“[T]he trial court is not 

required to award attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in a declaratory judgment, 

and, indeed, may award attorney’s fees to the nonprevailing party.”). Thus, whether 

the Gaudins requested independent declaratory relief in their counterclaims or simply 

requested attorney’s fees for defending against the Severses’ declaratory judgment 

requests is of no moment to our analysis. See Sierra Crest Homeowners Ass’n, Inc. v. 

Villalobos, 527 S.W.3d 235, 249 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2016, no pet.).

B. Analysis

After erroneously signing an order granting the Severses’ nonsuit and denying 

the Gaudins’ counterclaim for attorney’s fees, the trial court nevertheless considered 

the Gaudins’ motion to vacate, the Severses’ no-evidence motion for summary 
52

judgment, the Gaudins’ response and Severses’ reply, and held a September 25, 

2015 hearing and sent a December 21, 2015 letter to the parties, all to specifically 

address the specific issue of attorney’s fees. Then, the trial court conducted a 

February 19, 2016 status conference and signed an order on April 19, 2016, stating 

that after considering the pleadings, evidence, and arguments of counsel, it was 

denying all requests for attorney’s fees. In its December 21, 2015 letter, the trial court 

explained that the Gaudins did not “prevail” because they “did not ‘win’ any 

compensation other than the permission to continue construction on their home 

which was already in progress.” Thus, the trial court stated that because the Gaudins 

did not prevail and “considering the equities in this case,” it declined to award 

attorney’s fees to the Gaudins.

Based on the foregoing, it is clear that the trial court did not act erroneously or 

without reference to guiding principles. First, we already held above that the Gaudins 

were not a “prevailing party” under the plain language of the CCRs. Second, we also 

noted that the record supported that the Gaudins failed to submit their building plans 

to Mira Vista before beginning construction. Finally, the trial court’s actions holding 

multiple hearings, receiving evidence, and considering pleadings and arguments of 

counsel, coupled with the three-page letter ruling demonstrate that the trial court was 

deliberate in its analysis and ultimately in its decision to deny the Gaudins’ request for 

attorney’s fees.
53

On this record, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in 

denying the Gaudins’ request for attorney’s fees under section 37.009 of the civil 

practice and remedies code. See Anglo-Dutch Petroleum Int’l, Inc. v. Greenberg Peden, P.C., 

522 S.W.3d 471, 495 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, pet. denied). We 

overrule the Gaudins’ second issue.

IV. Remand for Hearing on Amount of Reasonable Attorney’s Fees

Because we sustain Mira Vista’s issue challenging the denial of its counterclaim

for attorney’s fees, we remand this case to the trial court for all necessary proceedings 

to determine an amount of reasonable attorney’s fees under section 12.05 of the 

CCRs. See Mira Mar Dev. Corp. v. City of Coppell, Tex., 421 S.W.3d 74, 105–06 (Tex. 

App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.).

CONCLUSION

Having overruled all of the Severses’ issues, having sustained Mira Vista’s sole 

issue, and having overruled the Gaudins’ issues, we affirm the judgment in part and 

reverse and remand only for a determination of an amount of Mira Vista’s reasonable 

attorney’s fees.

/s/ Mark T. Pittman

MARK T. PITTMAN

JUSTICE

Delivered: September 6, 2018