Opinion ID: 2329419
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Description of 12.0 Acre School/Park Parcel To Be Conveyed To ...

Text: The titling of the plat, a separate document, only referred to school parcel. It is from the descriptions in these documents, incorporated into the granting clause by reference, that appellees seek support for their contention that the deed was ambiguous and thus parol testimony should have been considered to determine the intention of the parties. We disagree. While it is true that the deed expressly provided that the legal description and plat attached to the deed were a part of the deed, in the absence of accompanying restrictive language, the plat does not do anything more than identify the property being conveyed. Also, the legal description is just that and nothing more. It does not demonstrate the interest in the property being conveyed. Cf. Lindauer v. Hill, 262 P.2d 697 (Okla. 1953) (holding a clause in deed to a municipality reciting that property is conveyed for public purposes does not qualify or limit the estate conveyed); Green v. Kunkel, 183 S.W.2d 585 (Tex.Civ.App. 1944) (holding that deed containing language denoting grant of unconditional fee estate in land is not conditional grant or conveyance of mere easement, despite language in instrument indicating that grant was made for a particular purpose). Moreover, appellees' contention that OGA intended to restrict the use of the area is in direct conflict with the language of the granting clause. Viewing the words of conveyance contained in the granting clause of the deed together with the attached legal description and plat, we find no ambiguity. Instead, we find a conveyance of fee simple title to the property that was particularly described so that it could be identified. Any reference to 12.0 Acre School/Park Parcel contained in the surveyor's July 22, 1977 description was nothing more than a label. We do not view this titling of the surveyor's description to indicate an intention on the part of the parties to restrict the use of the property as appellees would contend. Our predecessors said in Scholtes v. McColgan, 184 Md. 480, 489-90, 41 A.2d 479 (1945): [T]here must be borne in mind the often repeated doctrine that doubts should be resolved in favor of the unrestricted use of property. (citations omitted). We adhere to that view today. In light of our holding, it is unnecessary to address other questions raised by appellants. JUDGMENT OF THE COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS REVERSED. CASE REMANDED TO THAT COURT WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO AFFIRM THE JUDGMENT OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY. COSTS TO BE PAID BY APPELLEES.