Opinion ID: 1540077
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Wister's Standing to Appeal

Text: [¶ 11] Although Moore did not challenge Wister's standing before the ZBA or in the Superior Court, Moore argues to us that Wister failed to demonstrate that she had standing to appeal the ZBA's decision to the Superior Court. See Franklin Prop. Trust v. Foresite, Inc., 438 A.2d 218, 220 (Me.1981) (as a threshold issue bearing on the court's power to adjudicate disputes, we may address the issue of standing for the first time on appeal). [¶ 12] An abutter generally has standing to participate in and appeal from local administrative decision-making regarding zoning and land use issues. See Sahl v. Town of York, 2000 ME 180, ¶ 8, 760 A.2d 266, 268 (stating that the threshold requirements for an abutter to establish standing are minimal). [¶ 13] Wister asserted before the ZBA that she is an abutter, identified the location of her property to the ZBA, and objected to Moore's request to build a road below my house. The ZBA treated her as an abutter, allowing her to be heard and considering, but rejecting, her objections to the variance. Local citizens participating in zoning hearings need not present deeds, maps, or other proof of their status as abutters to justify their participation in such hearings. See, e.g., Rowe v. City of S. Portland, 1999 ME 81, ¶ 4, 730 A.2d 673, 674-75. A statement of abutter status, as occurred here, is enough to establish a prima facie showing of standing, absent evidence to the contrary. [¶ 14] A party may raise the issue of standing for the first time on appeal. See Franklin Prop., 438 A.2d at 220. However, Moore's election to wait until appeal to us to challenge Wister's prima facie showing of standing deprived Wister of the opportunity to present evidence to the fact-finder to support her standing. Once Wister had made a prima facie showing of her standing to participate in the proceeding, the burden shifted to Moore to present evidence that Wister lacked standing. See generally Philbrook v. Theriault, 2008 ME 152, ¶¶ 20, 22, 957 A.2d 74, 78-79 (stating, in the context of a parental rights and responsibilities matter, that the party must make a prima facie demonstration of de facto parent status to show standing). Before the ZBA or the Superior Court, Moore did not rebut Wister's prima facie demonstration of standing. Accordingly, for purposes of this appeal, Wister has standing to challenge Moore's request for a variance.