Opinion ID: 2502708
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Onsite Inspection by the ALC

Text: Appellants next contend the ALC erred in making itself a witness when it made findings and conclusions based on its own on-site inspection. We find this issue is not preserved for review. Following the close of all the evidence, the ALC decided sua sponte to view the lot on his own. Both parties consented on the record to his proposed visit. Following the judge's on-site inspection, he issued an order containing the following factual findings: Based on this Court's own inspection of the Petitioner's lot, it is possible to walk unassisted and without crossing any standing water from Tarpon Blvd. to the 0.269 acres of high ground at the location of the bridge proposed in the Permit Application. The ALC also included the following footnote after this finding of fact: Petitioner's lot was admitted into evidence at the Court's suggestion and with the consent of all parties. On December 11, 2008, this Court inspected Petitioner's lot at low tide, giving special attention to the area that the proposed bridge would cross. I was left with a lasting impression that if the area between Tarpon Blvd. and the upland portion of Petitioner's lot was mowed, it would look like a lawn. Moreover, I could walk across that area without getting mud on my shoes. Appellants, relying on Rule 605, SCRE, argue that a presiding judge should not testify in a trial as a witness. While Appellants acknowledge that the ALJ did not actually testify, they maintain he clearly testified in his final order when it was too late for any party to object or to even attempt to cross-examine or rebut this new witness. The ALC, as the ultimate finder of fact in this action, was free to visit the Lot and draw its own conclusions therefrom. See Brown v. S.C. Dep't of Health & Envtl. Control, 348 S.C. 507, 512, 560 S.E.2d 410, 413 (2002) (stating the ALC acts as the fact-finder in reviewing permitting decisions and is not restricted by the findings of the administrative agency); see also Sea Pines Plantation Co. v. Wells, 294 S.C. 266, 273-74, 363 S.E.2d 891, 895-96 (1987) (approving the ability of a trial judge, also acting as a trier of fact, to conduct an on-site inspection of the premises in question). The Chief Justice makes a persuasive argument concerning the problems that result from an ALC's inclusion of facts and observations not otherwise admitted as evidence, but when the ALC here included its first-hand observations of the Lot in its final order, Appellants failed to file a motion for reconsideration or a motion to alter or amend the judgment pursuant to Rules 29 or 68 of the Rules of Procedure for the Administrative Law Court, or Rules 59(e) or 60, SCRCP. [5] Consequently, we decline to reach the merits of Appellants' contention because, in our view, it is unpreserved for this Court's review. See Brown, 348 S.C. at 519, 560 S.E.2d at 417 (stating issues not raised to and ruled upon by the ALC are unpreserved for appellate review).