Opinion ID: 880118
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Martin I is Controlling.

Text: Martin properly recognizes this Court’s decision in Martin I is controlling. Also, Martin I is dispositive on all issues raised by Camas County except the issues of attorney fees. This Court in Martin I held that the Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act, I.C. § 10-1202, does not relieve a party from showing that they had standing to bring an action. Martin I, 150 Idaho at 513, 248 P.3d at 1249. Standing requires the litigant to “allege or demonstrate an injury in fact and a substantial likelihood the relief requested will prevent or redress the claimed injury.” Id. The claimed injury must be palpable and causally connected to the challenged conduct. Id. None of the properties Martin owned in Camas County were downzoned by the 2008 zoning amendments, nor did the 2008 zoning amendments prevent Martin from developing the property he owned in Camas County prior to either the 2007 or 2008 zoning amendments. Id. Also, Martin did not have taxpayer standing, nor does county-wide rezoning alone create harm without some specific and traceable harm. Id. Thus, it was held that Martin lacked standing to challenge the 2008 zoning amendments. The 2007 and 2008 zoning amendments are practically identical. Both cases involve the same property owned by Martin in Camas County. Thus, the facts between this case and Martin I are nearly identical. Therefore, Martin I is res judicata and controlling. As such, Martin properly concedes that the district court’s injunction against the 2007 zoning amendments must be reversed. Martin also properly concedes that his award of attorney fees by the district court must also be reversed. 4 B. Camas County Waived the Issue of Whether the District Court Erred in Failing to Award It Attorney Fees Pursuant to I.C. § 12-117. Martin concedes all arguments raised by Camas County except whether the district court erred in failing to award Camas County attorney fees under I.C. § 12-117. Camas County argues that Martin had no reasonable basis in law to bring his case, because he lacked standing and therefore did not present a justiciable case or controversy. Martin maintains that the district court did not err in failing to award Camas County attorney fees under I.C. § 12-117, because the parties stipulated to a variety of procedural shortcomings; there were perceived conflicts of interests; the mere fact that Martin lost on the merits does not mean his action was brought unreasonably; and standing is a difficult doctrine to apply. “When issues on appeal are not supported by positions of law, authority, or argument, they will not be considered.” State v. Zichko, 129 Idaho 259, 263, 923 P.2d 966, 970 (1996) (finding defendant’s argument that he could not comply with Idaho’s sex offender registration requirement was waived, because the defendant did not support his assignment of error with authority). An assignment of error is deemed waived, and will not be discussed if there is no argument contained in the appellant’s brief. Arnold v. Splendid Bakery, 88 Idaho 455, 466, 401 P.2d 271, 278 (1965) This Court holds that “a party waives an issue cited on appeal if either argument or authority is lacking.” Estes v. Barry, 132 Idaho 82, 87, 967 P.2d 284, 289 (1998) (declining to discuss issue of attorney fees because the brief contained neither argument nor authority on the issue.) In the present matter, Camas County alleges the district court erred “in failing to award the County attorney fees pursuant to I.C. § 12-117” in the issues section of its opening brief. Camas County does not, however, make any argument on this assignment of error. Camas County does argue that Martin was not entitled to attorney fees below, and that it is entitled to attorney fees on appeal. But it does not support its assertion that the district court erred in failing to award it attorney fees with argument or authority. Therefore, we conclude that Camas County waived this assignment of error. C. Camas County is not Entitled to Attorney Fees on Appeal. Camas County requests attorney fees on appeal pursuant to I.C. § 12-117, I.R.C.P. 11(a)(1), and I.A.R. 11.2. Camas County argues that Martin acted unreasonably in defending this appeal because he attacks the doctrine of standing. Camas County further maintains that Martin pursued this claim merely to harass Camas County. 5 Camas County requests Rule 11 sanctions and fees pursuant to I.C. § 12-117. We conclude that Martin has acted reasonably on appeal, by conceding arguments and not making frivolous arguments. Rule 11 Sanctions are appropriate where an argument on appeal “was so far outside the realm of reasonability that it warrants a sanction.” In re Estate of McKee, 153 Idaho 432, __, 283 P.3d 749, 757 (2012). Idaho Appellate Rule 11.2 requires an attorney or party to sign court documents, which shall act to certify that to the best of the signer’s knowledge, information, and belief after reasonable inquiry it is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, and that it is not interposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation.