Opinion ID: 1346489
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: analysis

Text: Decisions of a zoning board of appeals are reviewable by a district court pursuant to §§ 14-413 and 14-414. Statutory interpretation presents a question of law, in connection with which an appellate court has an obligation to reach an independent conclusion irrespective of the decision made by the court below. In re Interest of Jaycox, 250 Neb. 697, 551 N.W.2d 9 (1996); In re Interest of Aaron K., 250 Neb. 489, 550 N.W.2d 13 (1996); Buffalo County v. Kizzier, 250 Neb. 247, 548 N.W.2d 753 (1996); Buffalo County v. Kizzier, 250 Neb. 180, 548 N.W.2d 757 (1996); Torrison v. Overman, 250 Neb. 164, 549 N.W.2d 124 (1996); Payne v. Nebraska Dept. of Corr. Servs., 249 Neb. 150, 542 N.W.2d 694 (1996). Section 14-413 provides that a zoning board of appeals' decision may be reviewed by a district court, but the scope of the district court's review is limited to the legality or illegality of the board's decision. We explained the scope of the court's authority regarding § 14-413 in Roncka v. Fogarty, 152 Neb. 467, 471, 41 N.W.2d 745, 748 (1950): It is apparent that the plaintiffs' action in the district court is one for trial de novo within the limitations of the pleadings and the evidence taken before the court, and constitutes an attack upon the action of the board of appeals as to whether such board acted within the scope of its authority under the city charter, or whether such action on the part of the board of appeals was illegal. Section 14-414 provides that the district court may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the decision brought up for review. Pursuant to § 14-414, the district court is given only the power to reverse, modify, or affirm the decision brought up for review. The City's counterclaim was not the subject of any appeal to the Board and thus was not brought up for review. Therefore, the district court had no authority to deal with the counterclaim or to issue injunctions. See Stratbucker Children's Trust v. Zoning Bd. of Appeals, supra . The district court was acting as an appellate court to review the proceedings before the Board. It was without authority in this action to expand the issues and therefore made an error of law by hearing the counterclaim and ordering injunctive relief. The City argues that because Kuhlmann failed to make a motion to strike the counterclaim, the current challenge to the counterclaim is without merit. We disagree. Jurisdiction is defined as a court's power or authority to hear a case. Welch v. Welch, 246 Neb. 435, 519 N.W.2d 262 (1994). The district court's power in this case extends only to reviewing issues which were brought up for review from the Board. Because the counterclaim was never before the Board, the district court lacked the power to hear the case and was without subject matter jurisdiction over the counterclaim. Parties cannot confer subject matter jurisdiction upon a judicial tribunal by either acquiescence or consent, nor may subject matter jurisdiction be created by waiver, estoppel, consent, or conduct of the parties. Fox v. Metromail of Delaware, 249 Neb. 610, 544 N.W.2d 833 (1996); In re Adoption of Kassandra B. & Nicholas B., 248 Neb. 912, 540 N.W.2d 554 (1995); In re Interest of J.T.B. and H.J.T., 245 Neb. 624, 514 N.W.2d 635 (1994). A judgment entered by a court which lacks subject matter jurisdiction is void. It is a longstanding rule in Nebraska that such a void judgment may be attacked at any time in any proceeding. Bradley v. Hopkins, 246 Neb. 646, 522 N.W.2d 394 (1994); VonSeggern v. Willman, 244 Neb. 565, 508 N.W.2d 261 (1993). Because the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the counterclaim, Kuhlmann could raise his objection at any time during the proceeding and was not required to make a motion to strike. The City also argues that it may be granted an injunction pursuant to § 14-415 and that Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-813 (Reissue 1995) allows such relief to be requested by way of permissive counterclaim. We do not agree. The City does have the authority to request injunctive relief pursuant to § 14-415. Section 14-415 provides: The city, in addition to other remedies, may institute any appropriate action or proceedings to prevent an unlawful ... use of any building or structure in violation of any ordinance or regulations enacted or issued pursuant to sections 14-401 to 14-418, to restrain, correct or abate such violation, to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure or land, or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business or use in or about such premises. Although a city may request injunctive relief pursuant to § 14-415, the statute specifically provides that the city may institute any appropriate action in order to receive this relief. Statutory language is to be given its plain and ordinary meaning. In addition, an appellate court will, if possible, try to avoid a construction which would lead to absurd, unconscionable, or unjust results. Nichols v. Busse, 243 Neb. 811, 503 N.W.2d 173 (1993). The plain meaning of the word institute is to start or initiate. In the present case, the City could not initiate the action. The district court, sitting as an appellate court, had only the jurisdiction to review proceedings below. Pursuant to § 14-415, injunctive relief may not be requested for the first time in the district court by way of a counterclaim in an appeal pursuant to § 14-413. The party requesting injunctive relief must institute the action. Thus, because the City did not initiate the action, it may not request an injunction pursuant to § 14-415. The City further argues that injunctive relief is possible in this action based on our holding in Bowman v. City of York, 240 Neb. 201, 482 N.W.2d 537 (1992). Bowman, however, dealt with an appeal under Neb.Rev. Stat. §§ 19-910 and 19-912 (Reissue 1991), which concern appeals from a board of adjustment. Furthermore, § 19-912 specifically authorizes the district court to grant a restraining order. This is not the case with § 14-413. Thus, we do not find Bowman to be persuasive.