Court Opinion

ID: 3162170
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-12-14 16:08:39.079706+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:08:51.301331
License: Public Domain

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

In Re: Appeal of Laura Baltra                   :
From the Decision of the New                    :
Britain Township Zoning Hearing                 :
Board                                           :   No. 158 C.D. 2015
                                                :   Argued: October 6, 2015
Appeal of: Board of Supervisors                 :
of New Britain Township                         :

BEFORE:        HONORABLE DAN PELLEGRINI, President Judge
               HONORABLE ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge
               HONORABLE ROCHELLE S. FRIEDMAN, Senior Judge

OPINION NOT REPORTED

MEMORANDUM OPINION
BY JUDGE SIMPSON1                                   FILED: December 14, 2015

               In this zoning appeal, New Britain Township (Township) asks
whether the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County2 (trial court) erred in
reversing a decision of the New Britain Township Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB)
that upheld a zoning enforcement notice issued against Laura Baltra (Landowner)
for conducting an automobile repair garage on her residential property.        The
Township argues that, in reversing the ZHB, the trial court misidentified the issue
before it and applied an incorrect standard of review. It also contends the record
contains substantial evidence that supports the ZHB’s denial of Landowner’s
appeal of the enforcement notice. Upon review, we affirm the trial court.

      1
          This case was reassigned to the author on October 15, 2015.
      2
          The Honorable James M. McMaster presided.
                                  I. Background
             Landowner and her son reside in a single-family residence located at
200 Forest Park Drive, Chalfont, New Britain Township (subject property). The
subject property lies in a residential (RR) zoning district and is part of a planned
residential development.

             In November 2013, the Township Zoning Officer (zoning officer)
issued Landowner an enforcement notice, charging her with numerous violations
related to the subject property. Landowner appealed. A hearing ensued before the
ZHB.

             At the hearing, the ZHB heard testimony from the zoning officer and
three objectors, two nearby landowners and a former nearby landowner. Counsel
appeared on behalf of Landowner; however, Landowner did not appear in person
and did not present any witness testimony. Counsel for Landowner presented titles
and registrations for six vehicles, which are registered to Landowner or her son.

             The only issue the zoning officer pursued, and thus the only issue the
ZHB considered at the hearing, was whether Landowner violated Section 27-901
of the New Britain Township Zoning Ordinance of 1995 (zoning ordinance) by
operating an “Automobile Repair” use as defined in Section 27-305(J21), which is
not permitted in the RR district. ZHB Op., 3/31/14, Finding of Fact (F.F.) No. 19.
To that end, at the ZHB hearing, the following colloquy took place between the
Township Solicitor and the zoning officer:

                                         2
              Q.     And the only item remaining of this [enforcement] notice
              that’s still of issue is whether or not a J21 [Automobile Repair]
              use is being operated on the [subject] property?

              A.     Correct.

Reproduced Record (R.R.) at 10a.3

              After the hearing, the ZHB issued a decision in which it determined
that, based on the objectors’ credible testimony, the activities conducted on the
subject property constituted an “automobile repair” use under the zoning
ordinance. ZHB Op., Concl. of Law No. 14. The ZHB explained the objectors
credibly testified: they observed multiple vehicles moved to and from the subject
property; they heard sounds coming from the subject property typically associated
with vehicle repairs; they observed tires, tools and other equipment needed to
repair vehicles; and, they observed Landowner’s son attending to vehicles under
either the hood or the vehicles. The ZHB stated the only logical conclusion it
could draw from this testimony was that Landowner’s son regularly repaired
multiple vehicles on the subject property, and Landowner allowed these activities
to occur. The ZHB determined that, “under a very strict reading of the [z]oning
[o]rdinance definition,” an unlawful automobile repair use was conducted on the
subject property. Concl. of Law No. 18.

              The ZHB acknowledged that the zoning ordinance does not prohibit a
landowner from working on his own vehicle “or even doing minor repairs to the

       3
          The zoning enforcement notice also alleged Landowner had a temporary carport on the
subject property in violation of the zoning ordinance; however, Landowner removed the carport
prior to the hearing rendering this alleged violation moot. F.F. No. 17.

                                             3
cars of friends and family on his or her property.”       Concl. of Law No. 19.
However, it determined the automobile repair activity occurring on the subject
property, was “well beyond what a reasonable person would envision as incidental
to a private dwelling.” Concl. of Law No. 22 (internal quotation omitted). To that
end, the ZHB determined, although Landowner and her son own six vehicles,
several more, nearly double at times, were consistently at the subject property, and
Landowner’s son performed repairs on all of these vehicles. The ZHB stated:
“Based upon the foregoing, the [ZHB] concludes that the totality of [Landowner’s]
and [her son’s] motor vehicle repair activities, even if simply on their own [six]
vehicles, well exceeds a level customarily associated with a residential dwelling.”
Concl. of Law No. 26. As a result, the ZHB denied Landowner’s appeal of the
enforcement notice. Landowner appealed to the trial court.

            Without taking additional evidence, the trial court reversed.         It
determined the ZHB abused its discretion in upholding the enforcement notice.
Specifically, the trial court determined the evidence presented before the ZHB was
insufficient to support a determination that an automobile repair use as defined by
Section 27-305(J21) of the zoning ordinance was conducted on the subject
property.   The trial court also rejected the Township’s assertion that the
enforcement notice should be upheld on the ground that repair activities occurring
on the subject property went beyond what is normally associated with a residential
use. Instead, the evidence, viewed as a whole, did not support a determination that
an unlawful automobile repair use as defined by Section 27-305(J21) was
occurring on the subject property, which was the sole ordinance violation pursued

                                         4
by the Township. Thus, the trial court reversed the ZHB’s decision and dismissed
the enforcement notice. The Township now appeals to this Court.

                                     II. Discussion
                                     A. Contentions
              On appeal,4 the Township first argues the trial court made two major
errors in reviewing Landowner’s appeal of the ZHB’s decision. First, the trial
court failed to correctly determine the actual issue before it.             The Township
contends the trial court viewed this appeal as involving the question of whether the
activities conducted on the subject property met the definition of a “J21
Automobile Repair” use instead of correctly recognizing this appeal actually
involved determining whether the activities occurring on the subject property were
permitted in the RR district. Second, the trial court reviewed the appeal de novo
instead of utilizing the appropriate abuse of discretion or error of law standard of
review.

              When the correct standard of review is applied, the Township argues,
this Court should conclude the record contains substantial evidence that supports
the ZHB’s determination that Landowner conducted activities on the subject
property that were not permitted in the RR district. The record shows: Landowner
conducted (or allowed to be conducted) auto repair activities on multiple cars on
the subject property; many more cars than those owned by Landowner and her son
were repaired on the subject property; many of those cars would only be seen on

       4
         Because the parties presented no additional evidence after the ZHB’s decision, our
review is limited to determining whether the ZHB committed an abuse of discretion or an error
of law. Taliaferro v. Darby Twp. Zoning Hearing Bd., 873 A.2d 807 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2005).

                                             5
the subject property once and never again; and, Landowner’s son performed repair
work on vehicles other than those owned by Landowner and her son.             The
Township maintains Landowner did not rebut the evidence concerning repair
activities on the subject property.    Landowner did not present any witness
testimony; rather, she only presented documents corresponding to six vehicles that
she allegedly owns. Landowner presented no witness’ testimony to verify the
authenticity of the documents concerning car ownership.

            Moreover, the Township argues the ZHB credited all of the evidence
the Township presented. As such, Landowner did not rebut the Township’s case.
In light of these circumstances, the Township maintains, it is clear the ZHB
correctly decided that Landowner conducted unlawful activities on the subject
property. The ZHB’s determination is supported by substantial evidence. Thus,
this Court should reverse the trial court’s order and reinstate the ZHB’s decision
dismissing Landowner’s appeal.

            Landowner responds that the Township must be held to the charge it
filed against her, stated in the enforcement notice it crafted, namely that
Landowner allegedly unlawfully operated a “J21 Automobile Repair” use.
Landowner asserts the Township may not now shift its position to a different
“violation,” simply because it lacked the necessary proof to sustain the ordinance
violation charged.

            Landowner contends that where a municipality initiates and pursues
an enforcement proceeding against a property owner under Section 616.1 of the

                                        6
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC),5 the property owner is entitled
to notice of the specific zoning ordinance provision allegedly violated. Here,
Landowner asserts, a shift from the J21 Automobile Repair use charged to the
now-claimed “well beyond” what the zoning ordinance “should” allow for a
residential use, turns Section 616.1 of the MPC on its head. Appellee’s Br. at 28.

              Landowner maintains that over a 14-month period, the Township
proved nothing more than: three cars not registered to the residents of the subject
property were photographed on or near the subject property; Landowner’s son
enjoys working on vehicles at his house; and, other people park in the congested
public streets in the Forest Park development. Landowner argues the objectors’
remedy is not to collaborate with the Township in a seriously flawed enforcement
proceeding. Indeed, the Township should have informed the neighbors of the
obvious: Landowner is not in violation of the zoning ordinance.

              Through its reply brief, the Township rejoins that Landowner’s brief
fails to address the core issue here—whether the record contains substantial
evidence to support the ZHB’s determination that Landowner conducted activities
on the subject property that were not permitted in the RR district. The Township
asserts Landowner attempts to deflect this Court’s attention from the inadequacies
of her appeal by raising a series of irrelevant issues.

       5
        Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, as added by the Act of December 21, 1988, P.L. 1329,
as amended, 53 P.S. §10616.1.

                                             7
                                   B. Analysis
            This case originated with the filing of a zoning enforcement notice.
Section 616.1 of the MPC, which governs enforcement notices, states, in relevant
part (with emphasis added):

            (a) If it appears to the municipality that a violation of any
            zoning ordinance enacted under this act or prior enabling laws
            has occurred, the municipality shall initiate enforcement
            proceedings by sending an enforcement notice as provided in
            this section.

                                         ****

            (c) An enforcement notice shall state at least the following:

                                         ****

                  (3) The specific violation with a description of the
                  requirements which have not been met, citing in each
                  instance the applicable provisions of the ordinance.

                                         ****

            (d) In any appeal of an enforcement notice to the zoning
            hearing board, the municipality shall have the responsibility of
            presenting its evidence first.

53 P.S. §10616.1(a), (c)(3), (d). In an enforcement proceeding, the municipality
bears the burden of proving a landowner violated the provision of the zoning
ordinance charged. Hartner v. Zoning Hearing Bd. of U. St. Clair Twp., 840 A.2d
1068 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2004).

            The issue of whether a particular use falls within a given category of a
zoning ordinance is a question of law. In re Richboro CD Partners, L.P., 89 A.3d
742 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2014).

                                         8
               Here, the Township, through its zoning officer, issued an enforcement
notice, which stated, in relevant part:

               Automobile Repair Violation
               As stated in the [zoning ordinance], §27-901, Use J21-
               Automobile Repair, is not a use permitted By Right in the RR
               … District. Use J21 is defined in §27-305 as, an Automobile
               repair garage, including paint spraying and body and fender
               work, provided that all repair and paint work is performed
               within an enclosed building. This use is only permitted by
               Special Exception in the C1 (Commercial), I (Industrial), and
               IO (Industrial/Office) Districts within [the] Township and is not
               permitted under any circumstances in the RR … District.

R.R. at 88a. Although the enforcement notice set forth other alleged violations,
before the ZHB, the zoning officer confirmed that “the only … issue is whether or
not a J21 use is being operated on th[e] [subject] property[.]” R.R. at 10a; see also
F.F. No. 19.

               In turn, Section 27-305(J21) of the zoning ordinance states:

               J. RETAIL AND SERVICE USES.

                                            ****

               J21. Automobile Repair.

                     a.    Definition. Automobile repair garage, including
                           paint spraying and body and fender work, provided
                           that all repair and paint work is performed within
                           an enclosed building.

                     b.    Regulations.

                           1. All automobile parts, refuse and similar articles
                           shall be stored within a building or enclosed area.

                                           9
                          2. Vehicles awaiting repairs and junk vehicles may
                          not be stored outdoors more than five days.

                          3. The buffer requirements of this Chapter shall be
                          met.

Id. (emphasis added).

             Here, the ZHB determined the credible evidence supported a finding
that the activities occurring on the subject property constituted an “Automobile
Repair” use that falls within Section 27-305(J21) of the zoning ordinance. Concl.
of Law No. 14. Based on its review of the record, the trial court disagreed,
concluding the evidence presented was insufficient to support a determination that
the subject property was used for an automobile repair garage.

             Specifically, the trial court explained, at the ZHB hearing, none of the
witnesses offered testimony that Landowner or her son perform paint spraying or
body or fender work, the intensity of activity contemplated in Section 27-305(J21).
Further, the objectors’ complaints arose primarily from normal vehicle noise rather
than noise occurring as a result of repair work.         Thus, although there was
substantial evidence that Landowner and her son own six vehicles, all of which are
often parked in their driveway or around the subject property, and that there were
frequently other vehicles parked nearby, there was no evidence that Landowner or
her son operated an automobile repair garage. Also, as the trial court explained,
“there was unrebutted evidence presented to the [ZHB] that [Landowner’s son] has
been seen tinkering with cars and that there are tires stacked in [Landowner’s]
garage. This, again, is insufficient to prove that a J21 Automobile Repair Use has
been occurring on [the] [subject] property.” Tr. Ct., Slip Op., at 11-12.

                                         10
             In addition, the zoning officer was unable to offer testimony that
automobile repair work similar to that specified in Section 27-305(J21) occurred
on the subject property. Instead, the zoning officer testified she believed repair
activities that rose to the level of a “J21 Automobile Repair” use occurred on the
subject property as a result of “[t]he number of vehicles, vehicles being inside the
temporary structure [(which was removed prior to the ZHB hearing)], different
vehicles being inside the temporary structure, [and] vehicles coming and going ...”
not as a result of her observation of repairs occurring on vehicles on the subject
property. Tr. Ct., Slip Op., at 5; R.R. at 12a. Indeed, the zoning officer never
observed any automobile repair activities despite the fact that she visited the
subject property on multiple occasions to investigate the objectors’ complaints.
R.R. at 12a. Moreover, the zoning officer could not point to any zoning ordinance
provision that prohibits a landowner from performing automobile repair activities
such as oil changes or changing flat tires at his own home. Id. Also, the zoning
officer could not identify any ordinance provision that would prohibit a resident
from working on another person’s vehicle on his property. Id.

             Further, although one objector testified he observed Landowner’s son
performing work on automobiles, there was no evidence that any paint spraying,
body or fender work, or other similar work occurred on the subject property.
Although the plain language of Section 27-305(J21) uses the term “including”
before setting forth two specific examples of the type of work performed in an
automobile repair garage, suggesting the list is not exhaustive, it is also clear the
term “including” is not to be interpreted in its broadest sense. Indeed, as our
Supreme Court explains:

                                         11
              [I]t is widely accepted that general expressions such as
              ‘including,’ or ‘including but not limited to,’ that precede a
              specific list of included items are to be considered as words of
              enlargement and not limitation. Indeed, such a list of specific
              items is not meant to be exclusive of all items other than those
              specifically named. Yet, these terms also should not be
              construed in their widest context. Under our venerable
              statutory construction doctrine of ejusdem generis (‘of the same
              kind or class’), where specific terms setting forth enumeration
              of particular classes of persons or things follow general terms,
              the general words will be construed as applicable only to
              persons or things of the same general nature or class as those
              enumerated. In sum, the presence of such a term as ‘including’
              in a definition exhibits a legislative intent that the list that
              follows is not an exhaustive list of items that fall within the
              definition; yet, any additional matters purportedly falling within
              the definition, but that are not express, must be similar to those
              listed by the legislature and of the same general class or nature.

Dep’t of Envtl. Prot. v. Cumberland Coal Res., LP, 102 A.3d 962, 976 (Pa. 2014)
(citations omitted).

              Here, the word “including” in Section 27-305(J21) is followed by two
specific examples, “paint spraying” and “body and fender work.” In its decision,
the ZHB disregarded that portion of the provision that sets forth the two
enumerated examples, and it made no determination that the activities occurring on
the subject property were either within those enumerated examples or of the same
general class or nature as those examples.6 The ZHB also overlooked Section 27-

       6
          Objector Joe O’Donnell, who formerly lived across the street from the subject property,
testified he observed Landowner’s son use a blowtorch. R.R. at 21a. However, O’Donnell
moved from his former home in June 2013, id., approximately five months before issuance of the
zoning enforcement notice here and eight months before the ZHB hearing. Further, he offered
no testimony as to the type of work Landowner’s son performed using the blowtorch. Thus,
while the ZHB made a finding summarizing O’Donnell’s testimony, see F.F. No. 69, it did not
clearly base its ultimate determination on this testimony. See Concls. of Law Nos. 14-18.

                                               12
305(J21)’s language that “all repair and paint work [be] performed within an
enclosed building.” Id. (emphasis added). Further, Section 27-2901 of the zoning
ordinance requires a minimum of two off-street parking spaces “for each service
bay” for an automobile repair garage under Section 27-305(J21). Id. (emphasis
added). Thus, Section 27-2901 confirms that an “automobile repair garage” is
conducted in an enclosed building. In sum, in determining the activities conducted
on the subject property constituted an unlawful automobile repair garage, the ZHB
disregarded portions of the express definition of an “Automobile Repair” use set
forth in Section 27-305(J21).7 In so doing, the ZHB erred. See, e.g., McMahon v.
Kingston Twp. Bd. of Supervisors, 771 A.2d 96, 99 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2001) (“An
ordinance must be construed to give effect to all its provisions.”)

              In short, our review of the testimony before the ZHB supports the trial
court’s determination that the ZHB abused its discretion because the record lacks
sufficient evidence that the activities occurring on the subject property rose to the
level of an automobile repair garage as set forth in Section 27-305(J21). Indeed,
although there was some testimony by objectors that Landowner’s son performed
repair work on vehicles other than those owned by Landowner or her son, the
testimony did not show the activities occurring on the subject property amounted
to an automobile repair garage use. Thus, the trial court did not apply the wrong

       7
         More particularly, in interpreting Section 27-305(J21), the ZHB stated: “By defining an
‘automobile repair’ use as an ‘automobile repair garage,’ the [z]oning [o]rdinance offers a
circular definition. As such, the definition is clearly premised upon a common sense prior
understanding that an ‘automobile repair’ use or garage is a facility where cars are fixed.”
Concl. of Law. No. 11. Thus, the ZHB did not consider the specific examples set forth in
Section 27-305(J21), or the fact that the provision expressly contemplates “that all repair and
paint work [be] performed in an enclosed building.” Id.

                                              13
standard of review; rather, it determined the ZHB erred in determining the
activities conducted on the subject property constituted an automobile repair
garage as set forth in Section 27-305(J21), which was the only issue before the
ZHB.

             In addition, in determining the testimony presented led to a conclusion
that the activities occurring on the subject property amounted to an “Automobile
Repair” use described in Section 27-305(J21), the ZHB stated: “These facts and
that conclusion alone would, under a very strict reading of the [z]oning [o]rdinance
definition, qualify the activities as an ‘automobile repair’ use.” Concl. of Law No.
18 (emphasis added). Again, the ZHB’s determination is in error. To that end,
“zoning ordinances are to be liberally construed to allow the broadest possible use
of land.” U. Salford Twp. v. Collins, 669 A.2d 335, 336 (Pa. 1995). Thus,
“restrictions on a property owner’s right to free use of his property must be strictly
construed and all doubts resolved in his favor.” Rabenold v. Zoning Hearing Bd.
of Palmerton Twp., 777 A.2d 1257, 1263 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2001) (quoting Gilden
Appeal, 178 A.2d 562, 566 (Pa. 1962)). Here, the ZHB utilized the opposite
approach in determining the activities qualify as an “automobile repair” use, which
is prohibited in the residential zoning district in which the subject property lies.

             For all these reasons, the trial court did not exceed its authority when
it determined the ZHB erred in finding the Township met its burden of proving that
Landowner operated an unlawful “Automobile Repair” use as defined by Section
27-305(J21) of the zoning ordinance.

                                          14
               Additional support for the trial court’s conclusion is found in the
structure of the zoning ordinance. “[A]s a general principle … the structure of the
zoning ordinance itself provides the best guide to its interpretation.” Crary Home
v. DeFrees, 329 A.2d 874, 877 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1974) (citing Robert S. Ryan,
PENNSYLVANIA ZONING LAW & PRACTICE, §4.2.1).

               Section 27-305 of the zoning ordinance contains the Township’s “Use
Definitions and Regulations” followed by the regulations applicable to the
following general use categories: agricultural, residential, institutional, educational,
recreational, municipal, utility, residential accessory, office, retail and service,
industrial, and general accessory. Subsection J of Section 27-305 sets forth “Retail
and Service Uses.” Virtually all of the enumerated “Retail and Service Uses”
appear to contain some form of commercial or business component.8 Here, the
ZHB found that there was no proof that the activities occurring on the subject
property contained a commercial business component. F.F. No. 77.

               Finally, in its brief to this Court, the Township asserts:

       8
          Specifically, “Retail and Service Uses” in Section 27-305(J) of the zoning ordinance
are: retail stores; adult commercial/adult entertainment; service business, including, but not
limited to, barber, beautician, laundry and dry cleaning, shoe repair, tailor, photographer, travel
agency and photocopy center (excluding auto repair); financial establishments; funeral homes;
eating places; taverns; indoor entertainment; theaters; indoor athletic clubs; amusement halls or
arcades; outdoor entertainment; outdoor motion picture establishments; motels; guest houses;
repair shops; laundromats; service stations or car washes; automobile sales; automobile
accessories; truck and farm equipment sales; shopping centers; mini-warehouses; accessory
dwellings that are clearly subordinate to institutional, commercial, consumer service or office
uses; nonresidential conversions; office supplies and equipment sales and services; package
delivery services; photocopying services; planned community center mixed uses; and,
neighborhood commercial centers.

                                               15
             Whether or not the activities on [the subject property] met the
             requirements for a J21 Use is not the issue that was before the
             [ZHB], the [trial court], or this Court. The question in this
             [a]ppeal is whether or not the activities occurring on
             [Landowner’s] property were permitted within the RR Zoning
             District. Whether or not these activities actually fall under the
             definition of a J21 Use is inconsequential. The Enforcement
             Notice against [Landowner] only referenced the J21 Use as a
             shorthand way of referencing and categorizing all of the
             activities occurring upon her Property that were not allowed
             within this Zoning District.

Appellant’s Br. at 13 (emphasis added); see also Appellant’s Br. at 17 (“The
[e]nforcement [n]otice classified the repair activities on the [subject] [p]roperty as
a J21 Use to show that such activities are not allowed within the RR [z]oning
[d]istrict. Just because these repair activities do not neatly fall under this [u]se,
does not mean [Landowner] is not in violation of the [z]oning [o]rdinance and can
continue these activities.”) (emphasis added).

             The flaw in this repeated assertion is that before the ZHB the
Township made clear that the only issue was whether a “J21 use [was] being
operated on [the] [subject] property.” R.R. at 10a. Pursuant to Section 616.1(c)(3)
of the MPC: “An enforcement notice shall state … [t]he specific violation with a
description of the requirements which have not been met, citing in each instance
the applicable provisions of the ordinance.” Id. In the enforcement notice and at
the hearing the Township made clear that the sole issue before the ZHB was
whether an automobile repair use was occurring on the subject property. R.R. at
10a, 88a-89a; see F.F. No. 19. The Township could not then subsequently attempt
to amend the enforcement notice to include any purported conduct not permitted in
the RR district.

                                         16
                               III. Conclusion
           For these reasons, we affirm the order of the trial court that reversed
the ZHB’s decision denying Landowner’s appeal.

                                    ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge

                                      17
       IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

In Re: Appeal of Laura Baltra        :
From the Decision of the New         :
Britain Township Zoning Hearing      :
Board                                :   No. 158 C.D. 2015
                                     :
Appeal of: Board of Supervisors      :
of New Britain Township              :

                                  ORDER

            AND NOW, this 14th day of December, 2015, the order of the Court
of Common Pleas of Bucks County is AFFIRMED.

                                   ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge
          IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

In Re: Appeal of Laura Baltra From     :
the Decision of the New Britain        :
Township Zoning Hearing Board          :
                                       :
Appeal of: Board of Supervisors of     : No. 158 C.D. 2015
New Britain Township                   : Argued: October 6, 2015

BEFORE:      HONORABLE DAN PELLEGRINI, President Judge
             HONORABLE ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge
             HONORABLE ROCHELLE S. FRIEDMAN, Senior Judge

OPINION NOT REPORTED

DISSENTING OPINION BY
PRESIDENT JUDGE PELLEGRINI                           FILED: December 14, 2015

             Because I find that substantial evidence supports the New Britain
Township (Township) Zoning Hearing Board (Board)’s determination that Laura
Baltra’s property was used for automobile repair activities in violation of the
Township Zoning Ordinance, I would reverse the Court of Common Pleas of
Bucks County’s (trial court) order dismissing the Enforcement Notice issued
against her and reinstate the Board’s order upholding it.

                                         I.
             Ms. Baltra owns property in the Township’s Residential (RR) Zoning
District, in which automobile repair uses are prohibited pursuant to the Township
Zoning Ordinance. In this regard, Section 27-305 of the Zoning Ordinance defines
a J21 use as follows:

      J21. Automobile Repair

             a.    Definition. Automobile repair garage, including paint
                   spraying and body and fender work, provided that all
                   repair and paint work is performed within an enclosed
                   building.

             b.    Regulations.

                   1.     All automobile parts, refuse and similar
                          articles shall be stored within a building or
                          enclosed area.

                   2.     Vehicles awaiting repairs and junk vehicles
                          may not be stored outdoors more than five
                          days.

                   3.     The buffer requirements of this Chapter
                          shall be met.

Township Zoning Ordinance § 27-305.

                                         II.
             Initially, I agree with the majority’s finding that the only violation the
Township enumerated in the Enforcement Notice and presented before the Board
was Ms. Baltra’s alleged J21 use of the property. Therefore, like the majority, I
would not address the Township’s broader contention that the activities occurring
on the property were disallowed within the RR District, as a whole. Aside from
the fact that this contention was not advanced below, it attempts to shift the
Township’s burden of proving the existence of a violation under the Zoning
Ordinance, see Hartner v. Zoning Hearing Board of Upper St. Clair Township, 840

                                      DRP - 2
A.2d 1068, 1070 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2004), to Ms. Baltra to prove her compliance with
uses permitted in the zoning district.

             Further, I agree with the majority’s interpretation that Section 27-
305(J21) does not limit “[a]utomobile [r]epair uses” to “paint spraying and body
and fender work” as the trial court found, but rather, includes those activities as
examples of a broader class of activities that qualify under that use. Township
Zoning Ordinance § 27-305. As the majority aptly notes, as per Department of
Environmental Protection v. Cumberland Coal Resources, LP, the phrase
“including paint spraying and body and fender work” in the definition of an
automobile repair use should not be construed as an exhaustive list but merely as
examples of a general class to which qualifying activities must belong. 102 A.3d
962, 976 (Pa. 2004).

             However, I disagree with the majority’s assessment that substantial
evidence does not support the Board’s finding that the automobile-repair activities
occurring on the property qualified as a J21 Automotive Repair Use. To this end,
the following testimony was presented to and credited by the Board.

             Township Zoning Officer Devan Ambron stated that she investigated
the conditions at the property on numerous occasions and photographed her
findings between June 2013 and February 2014. During this time, she regularly
observed a red Chevy pickup truck, white minivan, black conversion van, and
black pickup truck present at the property, with a gold Jaguar, another gold-colored
car, a white car, and an additional truck appearing intermittently. When presented
with six (6) vehicle titles and current registrations on cross-examination, Zoning

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Officer Ambron admitted that the following vehicles were owned by and registered
to an occupant of the property: 2010 Chrysler, 2001 Chevrolet, 1995 Jaguar, 1990
Chevrolet truck, 1996 Chevrolet truck, and a 1999 Ford sedan. On re-direct,
Zoning Officer Ambron recalled observing stacked tires in Ms. Baltra’s driveway.

               Next, Brian Coller, a neighbor who has lived in Ms. Baltra’s
development for seventeen (17) years, recalled that Ms. Baltra and her son owned
six (6) vehicles, but stated that “during the week, any given week for the past at
least year and a half, probably even longer than that, there will be an extra two or
three cars each night on Bristol Road extension,” with “anywhere between eight
and ten, maybe even 12 cars” being present on the weekends. (Reproduced Record
[R.R.] at 16a.) With respect to the six (6) vehicles that generally are present, Mr.
Coller testified, “sometimes the—all six are there, sometimes they’re not,
sometimes they’re in the yard, sometimes they’re other places. There are always
other cars there for extended periods of time, not just one night. They’re there for
multiple days.” (Id.) Mr. Coller further testified that he has observed and heard
Ms. Baltra’s son, Mr. Gadziala, working on cars other than the ones that they own
at the property, usually inside of a temporary structure.1

               Additionally, Joe O’Donnell, who lived directly across the street from
Ms. Baltra from November 2011 until June 2013, stated that he observed Mr.
Gadziala working on vehicles other than the ones he owned. He testified that when
he lived nearby, he regularly saw twelve (12) to fifteen (15) vehicles at the

       1
         Prior to this appeal, a temporary structure was erected on Ms. Baltra’s property.
Although Ms. Baltra was initially cited for installing it without a zoning permit, that portion of
the Enforcement Notice was rendered moot when the structure was subsequently removed.

                                            DRP - 4
property and recalled “a lot of noise,” including screeching tires and cars
backfiring as a result of the repairs, sometimes as early as 4:00 AM, which
prompted him to notify the police. (Id. at 20a.) He stated that Mr. Gadziala used
many tools, including a blow torch and car jacks, to elevate the vehicles so that he
could work underneath them. Although he stated that he often observed car parts
in the driveway, he did not see any deliveries taking place and had no information
regarding whether a business or retail use was being conducted on the property.

             Moreover, Jennifer Steinhauser testified that her family moved into
the house across the street from Ms. Baltra in June 2013. She stated that she
personally observed Mr. Gadziala working on vehicles other than those he and his
mother owned, recalling, “There’s often times when he is working on different cars
in the driveway. Underneath the tent or even now without the tent, I’ve seen him
out there working on cars, different cars.” (Id. at 22a.)

             Although she did not see parts being delivered to the property, she
described the conditions:

             [T]here are car parts. I’ve seen tires stacked in the
             garage. Often it was at night. So the tent was lit up, so
             you could see pretty well right into it all different times
             of the night, two in the morning, two o’clock in the
             afternoon. It was different, you know, almost every time.

(Id. at 23a.) Ms. Steinhauser estimated that with respect to the vehicles that were
not owned by Ms. Baltra or her son, there was turnover every week or two. Like
Mr. O’Donnell, Ms. Steinhauser testified that she had no information that a
business or other commercial enterprise was being conducted on the property.

                                       DRP - 5
                This testimony, when ascribed the credibility and weight afforded by
the Board, constitutes substantial evidence supporting the Board’s conclusion that
automobile repair activities were occurring on Ms. Baltra’s property. Indeed, it
establishes that between six (6) and nine (9) vehicles which were not owned by
Ms. Baltra or her son are generally parked at the property and that Mr. Gadziala
openly works on them by using a car jack to get underneath them or by popping
their hoods. While repairing the vehicles, Mr. Gadziala test drives them, causing
noise when their tires screech or they backfire. Although Mr. Gadziala initially
performed these activities in an enclosed structure, that structure was recently
removed, and he now performs the activities in the driveway, outside of the garage
where he stores stacks of tires and other tools he uses. Although the number of
excess vehicles present on the property is generally consistent, the particular
vehicles present change every week or two as Mr. Gadziala removes certain
vehicles from the property and drives others to the property. To the extent the trial
court and this Court found otherwise, they have substituted their own judgment for
the Board’s discretion.

                Nonetheless, emphasizing that automobile repair is defined as
“Automobile repair garage…provided that all repair and paint work is performed
within an enclosed building,” the majority concludes that Ms. Baltra’s property is
not used for automobile repair services because there is no evidence of record to
indicate that automobile repair activities took place in an enclosed building.2

      2
          Ms. Baltra did not raise this argument, but the majority addressed it sua sponte.

                                             DRP - 6
               Notably, Ms. Steinhauser testified that at first, she observed Mr.
Gadziala working on various vehicles “in the driveway,” “[u]nderneath the tent.”
(Id. at 22a.) After the temporary structure was removed, she stated that Mr.
Gadziala continued to work on vehicles parked in the driveway, with tires being
stored in the garage. Therefore, it is clear that at the outset, automobile repair
work was being performed within an enclosed area on Ms. Baltra’s property—
namely, the enclosed structure.       I would not allow the landowner to avoid
enforcement simply by removing the enclosed structure and continuing to perform
the same repair activities in the driveway, particularly where the testimony
establishes that a garage on the property houses tires and other equipment used for
the repairs.    Such a holding enables owners to circumvent Township Zoning
Ordinance § 27-305(J21) and to convert their automobile-repair activities to non-
repair activities simply by moving their activities from within an enclosed structure
such as a garage to a few feet outside the enclosed structure.

               Furthermore, the majority highlights that the J21 use is a subcategory
of a broader section entitled “Retail and Service Uses,” with “[v]irtually all”
subcategories containing “some form of commercial of business component.”
(Majority Opinion, at 15.) While I agree that there is no evidence that the activities
occurring on the Baltra property were performed in exchange for money,
Township Zoning Ordinance § 27-305(J21) does not contain a “commercial
business component.” (Id.)

               In so construing this section, the majority reads the heading “Retail
and Service Uses” as if it were entitled “Retail Service Uses,” effectively reading
out the distinction. But see Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 1137 (11th

                                       DRP - 7
ed. 2004) (defining “service” as “2a: the work performed by one that serves
 b: help, use, benefit  c: contribution to the welfare of
others d: disposal for use …. 4: the act of serving: as a: a
helpful act  b: useful labor that does not produce a tangible
commodity… 7a: a facility supplying some public demand   b: a facility providing maintenance and repair….”). Based on the Ordinance’s
plain language, a J21 Use does not require the exchange of services for funds.

            Accordingly, because I find substantial support for the Board’s
conclusion that automobile repair activities were occurring on Ms. Baltra’s
residential property in violation of the Township Zoning Ordinance, I would
reverse the trial court’s order and reinstate the Board’s order upholding the
Enforcement Notice and dismissing Ms. Baltra’s appeal.

                                      DAN PELLEGRINI, President Judge

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