Opinion ID: 888031
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: issues

Text: ¶22 Did the District Court correctly determine that legal access existed to the parcels in Waterfront West? ¶23 Fielders argue that allowing lot owners in Waterfront West to use Waterfront Circle and Coveview Lane unilaterally expands the scope of the easements. Fielders contend that the Waterfront West subdivision constituted a single parcel when Oliver drafted the Declaration, and, therefore, the scope of the easement should be limited to the use at the time of the Declaration. Oliver argues that property owners of the adjoining parcels, including Waterfront West, own the property up to the center of the roadway and possess reciprocal easements for use of the roads. Oliver argues that the Declaration's language demonstrates his intent that Waterfront Circle and Coveview Lane would service all current and future subdivisions. ¶24 We interpret grants in a manner similar with contracts in general. Section 70-1-513, MCA. The interpretation and construction of a contract presents a question of law. Van Hook v. Jennings, 1999 MT 198, ¶ 10, 295 Mont. 409, ¶ 10, 983 P.2d 995, ¶ 10. A contract must be interpreted to give effect to the mutual intention of the parties as it existed at the time of contracting, so far as the same is ascertainable and lawful. Section 28-3-301, MCA. When the parties reduce a contract to writing, we must ascertain the intention of the parties from the writing alone if possible. Section 28-3-303, MCA. We also determine the extent of the servitude by the terms of the grant or the nature of the enjoyment by which it was acquired. Section 70-17-106, MCA. If the language of the agreement is clear and unambiguous, we must apply the language as written. Van Hook, ¶ 11. ¶25 Oliver's Declaration states that it is the intent and purpose of this document to amend and clarify: (1) the covenants, and (2) the dedications and reservations set forth on the plats of the above-named subdivision and proposed subdivision (hereinafter `Waterfront' and `Coveview'). The Declaration provides that the roads serving Waterfront and Coveview are hereby forever dedicated to the use and enjoyment of the owners of all of the lots within Waterfront, Coveview, Parcels 4 and 5 of Riverside, and I.P. The Declaration's language establishes Oliver's intent that Waterfront Circle and Coveview Lane were to provide lot owners access to the various subdivisions. ¶26 Fielders argue that the language permitting all of the owners use of the roads should limit access only to owners of lots that existed at the time that Oliver executed the Declaration. The Declaration provides, however, that the final plat of Coveview has not been filed. Oliver admits that he had not subdivided the Irregular Parcel into Waterfront West at the time that he executed the Declaration. Oliver also had not filed the final plat that formally created the lots within the Coveview Estates subdivision. Thus, according to Fielders' own interpretation of the Declaration, they would be precluded from using Waterfront Circle and Coveview Lane because their lot did not formally exist at the time that Oliver executed the Declaration. The Declaration's language does not support this result. The District Court correctly concluded that the Commissioners did not act arbitrarily in finding that legal access exists for the Waterfront West subdivision.