Opinion ID: 1933178
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Commission's Good Cause Determination

Text: Third and finally, petitioners contend that the Commission erred in granting the extensions of the PUD and in finding good cause for the extensions. Petitioners attack the Commission's finding of good cause on several grounds, including reliance of the Commission on (1) the pending litigation factor; and (2) its own delay in adopting the good cause regulations. They also attack other findings and conclusions, specifically: (1) the presence of K & C Associates was not a material fact with respect to the Commission's approval of the PUD; and (2) significant monetary expenditures already have been made for the project. Furthermore, they assert that the Commission failed to determine whether the changes to the PUD were consistent with changes in the District's Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Map. The Archdiocese asserts that under this court's standard of limited review, the Commission's findings must be upheld. We agree. First, we defer to an agency's interpretation of its own regulations `unless that interpretation is plainly wrong or inconsistent with the regulations or with the statute under which the [Commission] acts.' French v. District of Columbia Bd. of Zoning Adjustment, 658 A.2d 1023, 1032 (D.C.1995) (quoting Concerned Citizens of Brentwood v. District of Columbia Bd. of Zoning Adjustment, 634 A.2d 1234, 1242 (D.C.1993) (other citations omitted)). See also 1330 Connecticut Ave., Inc. v. District of Columbia Zoning Comm'n, 669 A.2d 708, 714 (D.C.1995) (citations omitted). Second, we do not disturb an agency's findings if there is a finding on each materially contested issue of fact; there is substantial evidence in the record to support each factual finding; and the [agency's] conclusions flow rationally from its findings of fact. French, supra, 658 A.2d at 1032 (citations omitted). Third, with respect to an agency's good cause determinations, we said in Ammerman v. District of Columbia Rental Accommodations Comm'n, 375 A.2d 1060 (D.C.1977): `Good cause' depends upon the circumstances of the individual case, and a finding of its existence [or nonexistence] lies largely in the discretion of the officer or court to which the decision is committed. By its very nature, good cause requires the evaluation of a number of subtle factors, a task properly given to the administrative agency most experienced in dealing with such factors in the first instance. In the absence of an abuse of the agency's discretion in that evaluation, we are bound by that good cause or lack of good cause determination. Id. at 1063 (citations omitted). Here, the Commission promulgated good cause regulations which set forth specific factors it may consider as good cause, including pending litigation and changes in economic and market conditions. The Commission was well within its discretion in deciding not to penalize the Archdiocese for the Commission's own delay in promulgating its good cause regulations, and in analyzing the impact of the pending litigation and changes in economic and market conditions on the Archdiocese's ability to move forward with the project. We see no abuse of discretion in its good cause determination. Moreover, we are satisfied that the agency's interpretation of its good cause regulations is not unreasonable and is consistent with its regulations and statute. There is also substantial evidence in the record demonstrating the impact of the pending litigation on the development of the project; and showing that when it approved the PUD application in 1987, that approval was not conditioned on the resources of K & C Associates, a fact that was reaffirmed in Order No. 496-E. The record before us reveals that the Commission sought and received the recommendations of the Office of Planning concerning the effect of changes to the Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning regulations and the [Zoning] Map, before granting the fourth and fifth requested extensions of the PUD. In addition, in Hotel Tabard Inn, supra, we conclude[d] that the Zoning Commission adequately considered the amended Comprehensive Plan, [the Dupont Circle Overlay District] regulations, and the [Advisory Neighborhood] recommendations. 661 A.2d at 155 n. 12. In short, under our standard of limited review, we see no reason to disturb the findings and conclusions of the Commission. The record reveals a finding of fact on each materially contested fact; substantial evidence in the record supports each finding; and the Commission's conclusions flow rationally from its findings of fact. Consequently, [w]e decline to substitute our judgment for that of the Commission. Citizens' Coalition Against the Proposed Brookings Office Bldg. v. District of Columbia Zoning Comm'n, 516 A.2d 506, 513 (D.C.1986) (citing Rock Creek East Neighborhood League, Inc. v. District of Columbia Zoning Comm'n, 388 A.2d 450, 451 (D.C.1978)). Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons, we affirm the orders on review in Nos. 95-AA-502, 98-AA-18 and 98-AA-1021. So ordered.