Court Opinion

ID: 9722355
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 09:26:41.406444+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:34.426031
License: Public Domain

*827BRAUER, J., Concurring.
I join in parts II and III of the opinion.
As to part I, I consider the discussion of contract interpretation in the context of the parol evidence rule to be beside the point even though the case was tried on that theory. Delucchi’s position is that he was induced to enter into a Williamson Act agreement by the County’s representation that the then-existing zoning would remain in effect during the life of the agreement. Evidence in support of such a contention is not designed to vary or interpret a writing but to establish that the agreement, though clear, is unenforceable because entered into on the basis of either a mutual mistake or a unilateral mistake brought about by the County’s fault. (Rest.2d Contracts, §§ 152, 153.) Such an inducement may always be proved by parol evidence and does not invoke the rules laid down in Pacific Gas & E. Co. v. G. W. Thomas Drayage etc. Co. (1968) 69 Cal.2d 33 [69 Cal.Rptr. 561, 442 P.2d 641, 40 A.L.R.3d 1373]. (2 Jefferson, Cal. Evidence Benchbook (2d ed. 1982) § 32.4.) But the remedy for mistake is rescission (Guthrie v. Times-Mirror Co. (1975) 51 Cal.App.3d 879, 884 [124 Cal.Rptr. 577]), a form of relief Delucchi does not seek as it would avail him nothing.
I would base the decision squarely on Avco Community Developers, Inc. v. South Coast Regional Com. (1976) 17 Cal.3d 785, 800 [132 Cal.Rptr. 386, 553 P.2d 546] which binds us and renders unenforceable a representation such as that found to have been made here. In the light of Avco, Delucchi of course cannot have the remedy of reformation which is sometimes available in equity to the innocently mistaken party and is similar in effect to the specific performance he seeks. (Civ. Code, § 3399; Rest.2d Contracts, § 155.)
A petition for a rehearing was denied April 30, 1986, and the petition of plaintiffs and appellants for review by the Supreme Court was denied June 18, 1986.