Court Opinion

ID: 4267705
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-04-24 00:06:21.483748+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:31:28.297081
License: Public Domain

STATE OF VERMONT
SUPERIOR COURT                                                 ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION
Vermont Unit                                                      Docket No. 54-5-15 Vtec

                         Pintair Discretionary Permit (Sewer)

                             ENTRY REGARDING MOTION

Title:        Motion to Dismiss (Motion 1)
Filer:        Town of Williston
Attorney:     Paul S. Gillies
Filed Date:   May 20, 2015

Response in opposition filed on 05/31/2015 by Kevin Brochu, Appellant

The motion is DENIED.

        The matter before the Court concerns property owned by Alex Pintair (Applicant) at
7997 Williston Road in the City of Williston, Vermont (Property). On March 24, 2015 the Town
of Williston Development Review Board (DRB) conducted a public hearing regarding annual
growth management review and allocation for residential development proposals. Applicant
sought approval for two units of allocation to construct a duplex on the Property, on which
there is currently a single family dwelling. A group of neighbors, Kevin and Zuzana Brochu,
Donald and Ingrid Luby, and Thomas Munn appealed the DRB’s decision granting Applicant’s
allocation. Applicant is represented in this matter by Michael D. Johnston, Esq. The Town of
Williston is represented by Paul S. Gillies, Esq. The neighbors appear as self-represented
litigants.
        Now pending before this Court is the Town’s motion to dismiss neighbors Donald and
Ingrid Luby from this appeal. The Town argues that the Lubys did not participate in the DRB
process below, and that they thus fail to meet the requirements of 24 V.S.A. § 4471(a). The
requirements for standing to appeal a decision of a municipal panel are addressed by statute;
therefore, we must ensure that each requirement is met so as not to “judicially expand the
class of persons” whom the legislature has authorized to appeal such decisions. In re Verizon
Wireless Barton Permit, 2010 VT 62, ¶ 7, 188 Vt. 262 (quoting Garzo v. Stowe Bd. of
Adjustment, 144 Vt. 298, 302 (1984)). A prospective appellant whose standing has been
challenged must demonstrate to the Court that they do, in fact, meet the requirements for
standing. See, e.g., Brod v. Agency of Natural Res., 2007 VT 87, ¶ 9, 182 Vt. 234.
       To have standing to appeal a decision of a municipal panel, a prospective appellant must
demonstrate both that they qualify as an “interested person” under one of the categories
defined in 24 V.S.A. § 4465(b) and that they have participated in the proceedings below. See 24
V.S.A. § 4471(a) (authorizing an “interested person who has participated in a municipal
regulatory proceeding” to appeal “a decision rendered in that proceeding by an appropriate
municipal panel”). Participation “shall consist of offering, through oral or written testimony,
evidence or a statement of concern related to the subject of the proceeding.” Id.
         The Lubys do not demonstrate, and the minutes of the public hearing do not show, that
they participated in the municipal proceedings below. For this reason, they have failed to
satisfy the requirements to be afforded appellant status under 24 V.S.A. § 4471(a). Finding that
the Lubys own or occupy property abutting the Property, however, we conclude that they are
entitled to interested person status. The Town’s motion is therefore GRANTED in Part and
Denied in Part. The Lubys are dismissed as appellants, however, they may fully participate as
interested parties.
Electronically signed on July 13, 2015 at 03:15 PM pursuant to V.R.E.F. 7(d).

_________________________________________
Thomas G. Walsh, Judge
Superior Court, Environmental Division

Notifications:
Appellant Kevin Brochu
Appellant Zuzana Brochu
Appellant Donald Luby
Appellant Ingrid Luby
Appellant Thomas Munn
Paul S. Gillies (ERN 3786), Attorney for Interested Person Town of Williston
Michael D. Johnson (ERN 5522), Attorney for Appellee Alex Pintair

cstanton

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