Opinion ID: 2043773
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: Testimony of Stevens

Text: Finally, Large assigns that TERC erred in receiving the testimony of Board member Stevens. Large contends that Stevens' testimony was without foundation and irrelevant. Stevens was the sole Board member to vote against granting Large's property greenbelt status. In his testimony, Stevens explained the reasons behind his dissenting vote. As discussed above, our resolution of the primary question presented on appealwhether the properties in question were agriculturalwas dependent upon our interpretation of the applicable statutes. And the interpretation of a statute is a question of law, which we review de novo. Our conclusion as to the proper interpretation of these statutes, and in turn our conclusion that TERC did not err in reversing the Board's decisions, was reached without reliance upon Stevens' testimony. Thus, even assuming that the receipt of Stevens' testimony was error, we conclude that Large suffered no prejudice as a result. Large's assignment of error on this point is therefore without merit.