Court Opinion

ID: 4368412
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-02-15 15:32:26.943344+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:48:15.342500
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Schaffer v. Wietzel, 2019-Ohio-572.]

                              IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                                 SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                       GREENE COUNTY

 MARK S. SCHAFFER, et al.                             :
                                                      :
          Plaintiffs-Appellees                        :   Appellate Case No. 2018-CA-28
                                                      :
 v.                                                   :   Trial Court Case No. 2016-CV-397
                                                      :
 MICHAEL J. WIETZEL, et al.                           :   (Civil Appeal from
                                                      :   Common Pleas Court)
          Defendants-Appellants                       :
                                                      :

                                                 ...........

                                                OPINION

                           Rendered on the 15th day of February, 2019.

                                                 ...........

CHARLES F. ALLBERY, III, Atty. Reg. No. 0006244, 893 South Main Street, Suite 386,
Englewood, Ohio 45322
      Attorney for Plaintiffs-Appellees

MICHAEL R. ECKHART, Atty. Reg. No. 0031450, 5335 Far Hills Avenue, #109, Dayton,
Ohio 45429
      Attorney for Defendants-Appellants

                                                .............

WELBAUM, P.J.
                                                                                      -2-

       {¶ 1} Defendant-appellants, Michael J. Wietzel and Deborah A. Wietzel, appeal

from a judgment of the Greene County Court of Common Pleas awarding plaintiff-

appellees Mark S. Schaffer and Margery M. Schaffer title by adverse possession to a

portion of land where the Schaffers’ driveway is located. The Wietzels argue that the

trial court’s adverse possession ruling was in error because the evidence presented at

trial failed to establish that the disputed land was exclusively and adversely possessed

for a period of 21 years. The Wietzels also claim that the adverse possession ruling was

generally against the manifest weight of the evidence. For the reasons outlined below,

the judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.

                              Facts and Course of Proceedings

       {¶ 2} This case concerns an asphalt driveway that leads to a residence located at

2542 Stewart Road, Sugarcreek Township, Greene County, Ohio (“the residence”). The

residence is currently owned by the Schaffers. The Schaffers purchased the residence

in 2006 from Eric Mundy. Eric inherited the residence from his father Harry Mundy after

Harry’s death in 2005. Harry and his wife Ernestine Mundy had lived at the residence

since it was built in 1984.

       {¶ 3} The residence is located on approximately one acre of land that was part of

acreage purchased by the Sugar Valley Country Club (“the Country Club”) in 1975. In

1978, the Country Club sold the acreage to Green Tree Development, Inc. (“Green Tree”)

for purposes of residential development. Green Tree then sold one acre of the property

to Harry and Ernestine Mundy. A year later, the remaining acreage was divided into 14
                                                                                         -3-

separate lots. Lots 1 and 2 are adjacent to the acre that Green Tree sold to the Mundys.

       {¶ 4} After purchasing the acre from Green Tree, Harry Mundy spent the next six

years building the residence on the property. Upon its completion in 1984, the residence

included an asphalt driveway that connected the residence to Stewart Road.             The

driveway is the sole means by which vehicles can access the residence. It is undisputed

that part of the driveway encroaches on Lot 2. No action was ever taken by Green Tree

regarding the encroachment on Lot 2.

       {¶ 5} In 2010, Sugar Valley Partners, LLC (“Sugar Valley”) formed and became the

owner of Lot 2. In 2011, Foreman Family Enterprises, LLC (“Foreman Family”) acquired

Lot 2 from Sugar Valley. Foreman Family then sold Lot 2 to the Wietzels in 2013.

Sometime after the sale, the Wietzels became aware that the Schaffers’ driveway

encroached on their property.      In 2014, the Wietzels advised the Schaffers of the

encroachment. The Schaffers then had a survey performed for purposes of preparing

an easement for the driveway; however, the easement never materialized.                The

Schaffers instead filed a quiet title action against the Wietzels asserting ownership of the

disputed property on the basis of adverse possession.

       {¶ 6} On October 2, 2017, the matter proceeded to a bench trial before a trial court

magistrate.   At trial, both Mark and Margery Schaffer testified that their driveway is

exclusively used for their residence. Mark specifically testified that the Wietzels and

members of the neighboring Country Club are not invited to use the driveway. Mark

maintained that the driveway was “not a thoroughfare for any party” and that only invitees

are permitted on the driveway for purposes of deliveries, service calls, and visits from

friends or family. Trial Trans. p. 15. Mark further testified that he used the driveway
                                                                                       -4-

without any permission from Sugar Valley and that there was no indication the driveway

was not a part of the residence when he purchased the residence in 2006. Mark and

Margery both testified that they were not aware of the issue with the driveway until the

Wietzels brought it to their attention in 2014.

        {¶ 7} James Keys, a current partner of Sugar Valley and the managing member of

the Country Club since 1978, also testified at trial. Keys testified that the Country Club

was initially owned by three partners: Carl M. Foreman, Green Tree, and himself. During

his testimony, Keys recalled the development plan for the acreage that the Country Club

purchased in 1975 as well as the 1978 sale of land to the Mundys. Keys testified that in

1979, he approved Harry Mundy’s building plan for the property he purchased from Green

Tree.    According to Keys, the approved building plan showed Harry’s driveway

connecting to a proposed private driveway for Lots 1 and 2. Keys confirmed that in order

to connect to the proposed driveway, Harry’s driveway would have had to come across

Country Club/Green Tree land.

        {¶ 8} Based on Harry’s building plan, Keys testified that he believed Harry’s

driveway would be part of a driveway easement created for Lots 1 and 2. Although a

driveway easement for Lots 1 and 2 was created in 1987, Keys testified that an easement

for Harry’s driveway was never created because the private driveway to Lots 1 and 2 was

not installed at the time Harry’s residence was constructed. Harry therefore deviated

from the approved building plan and built the existing driveway that connects to Stewart

Road.

        {¶ 9} Keys testified that he never had a discussion with Harry about how Harry was

going to get access to his residence without the driveway to Lots 1 and 2. Keys admitted
                                                                                           -5-

that he overlooked Harry’s access issue because he was preoccupied with a zoning

referendum that concerned Country Club/Green Tree property. Although Keys approved

what was in Harry’s building plan, Keys testified that he never gave Harry or the

subsequent owners of the residence permission to install or use the driveway as it was

built.

         {¶ 10} Harry’s son Eric also testified at trial. Eric testified that the driveway was

gravel when construction of the residence began and that the gravel became compacted

during the construction process. Eric recalled the driveway being blacktopped after the

construction of the residence was complete. Eric testified that he did not know a portion

of the driveway encroached on Lot 2 until he sold the residence to the Schaffers in 2006.

Although he was aware of the encroachment at the time of the sale, Eric testified that he

never discussed that issue with the Schaffers and that he did not know whether the realtor

ever advised the Schaffers of the encroachment.

         {¶ 11} In defending against the Schaffers’ adverse possession claim, Michael

Wietzel testified that prior to purchasing Lot 2, he had a conversation with Margery

Schaffer while he and his wife were looking at Lot 2 with his realtor. Wietzel testified that

during his conversation with Margery, she brought up the location of the driveway and

stated that she was unsure if the driveway was on their property.

         {¶ 12} Following trial, the magistrate took the matter under advisement and issued

a decision granting the Schaffers title to the disputed property on the basis of adverse

possession. The Wietzels filed objections to the magistrate’s decision arguing, in part,

that the magistrate’s ruling was in error because the evidence presented at trial failed to

establish that the Schaffers exclusively and adversely possessed the disputed property
                                                                                      -6-

for a period of 21 years. After conducting a de novo review of the evidence, the trial

court overruled the Wietzels’ objections and adopted the magistrate’s decision.

      {¶ 13} The Wietzels now appeal from the trial court’s judgment, raising the

following three assignments of error for review.

      I.     THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT APPLYING APPLICABLE LAW

             TO    THE     FACTS     IN   DETERMINING      THAT     PLAINTIFFS/

             APPELLEES HAD ACQUIRED TITLE BY ADVERSE POSSESSION

             OVER A PART OF DEFENDANT APPELLANT’S LAND.

      II.    THE TRIAL COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE FOUND APPELLEES

             HAD OBTAINED TITLE BY ADVERSE POSSESSION BECAUSE

             OF THE EXCLUSIVITY REQUIREMENT WAS NOT PROVED (sic)

             BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE.

      III.   THE     TRIAL    COURT’S      DECISION     FINDING     APPELLEES

             ACQUIRED TITLED BY ADVERSE POSSESSION IS AGAINST

             THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE IN LIGHT OF THE

             CLEAR AND CONVINCING STANDARD REQUIRED.

                                  Standard of Review

      {¶ 14} “ ‘Typically, appeals on adverse possession claims challenge the manifest

weight of the evidence supporting the various elements of adverse possession.’ ”

Violante v. Village of Brady Lake, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2012-P-0054, 2012-Ohio-6220,

¶ 68, quoting Pottmeyer v. Douglas, 4th Dist. Washington No. 10CA7, 2010-Ohio-5293,

¶ 21. In this case, some of the arguments raised in the Wietzels’ appellate brief are in
                                                                                          -7-

the nature of a manifest weight claim, while others appear to be legal in nature. When

considering a manifest weight challenge, an appellate court weighs the evidence and all

reasonable inferences, considers the credibility of witnesses and determines whether in

resolving conflicts in the evidence, the finder of fact clearly lost its way and created a

manifest miscarriage of justice warranting reversal and a new trial. (Citations omitted.)

Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St.3d 328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 20. In

weighing the evidence, the court of appeals must always be mindful of the presumption

in favor of the fact finder, which in this case was the trial court. Id. at ¶ 21. Therefore,

this court will not substitute its judgment “for that of the trial court when there exists

competent and credible evidence supporting the findings of fact and conclusions of law.”

State v. Schiebel, 55 Ohio St.3d 71, 74, 564 N.E.2d 54 (1990). However, to the extent

the Wietzels challenge the trial court’s choice or application of law, this court’s review is

de novo. (Citation omitted.) Pottmeyer at ¶ 21.

                          Adverse Possession Requirements

       {¶ 15} “It is well established in Ohio that to succeed in acquiring title by adverse

possession, the claimant must show exclusive possession that is open, notorious,

continuous, and adverse for 21 years.” Evanich v. Bridge, 119 Ohio St.3d 260, 2008-

Ohio-3820, 893 N.E.2d 481, ¶ 7, citing Grace v. Koch, 81 Ohio St.3d 577, 579, 692 N.E.2d

1009 (1998). “Failure of proof as to any of the elements results in failure to acquire title

by adverse possession.” Grace at 579, citing Pennsylvania R. Co. v. Donovan, 111 Ohio

St. 341, 349-350, 145 N.E. 479 (1924). All the elements of adverse possession must be

proven by clear and convincing evidence.         Id. at 580-581.    “Clear and convincing
                                                                                          -8-

evidence is ‘that measure or degree of proof which is more than a mere “preponderance

of the evidence,” but not to the extent of such certainty as is required “beyond a

reasonable doubt” in criminal cases, and which will produce in the mind of the trier of facts

a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be established.’ ” State ex rel.

Pietrangelo v. Avon Lake, 149 Ohio St.3d 273, 2016-Ohio-5725, 74 N.E.3d 419, ¶ 14,

quoting Cross v. Ledford, 161 Ohio St. 469, 120 N.E.2d 118 (1954), paragraph three of

the syllabus.

                                First Assignment of Error

       {¶ 16} Under their First Assignment of Error, the Wietzels challenge the trial court’s

adverse possession ruling on grounds that the disputed property was not possessed

adversely for a period of 21 years. In support of this argument, the Wietzels claim the

trial court misapplied the law governing the adverse element of adverse possession. The

Wietzels also claim that the trial court improperly tacked on the use period of the disputed

property’s previous owners, the Mundys, to satisfy the 21-year possession requirement.

We disagree.

       {¶ 17} Although the Schaffers have not possessed the disputed property for 21

years, it is well established that to satisfy the 21-year possession requirement, an

individual may “tack” to his period of adverse use the adverse use by previous owners in

privity with him. (Citations omitted.) Jacks v. Brewington, 177 Ohio App.3d 844, 2008-

Ohio-4393, 896 N.E.2d 226, ¶ 32 (2d Dist.). The Wietzels, however, argue that the trial

court erred in tacking the Mundys’ 22-year period of use to the Schaffers’ period of use

because the Mundys’ period of use was not adverse. We find no merit to this claim.
                                                                                        -9-

      {¶ 18} “Adverse use can be any use that is inconsistent with the rights of the title

owner.” (Citations omitted.) Id. at ¶ 32. “Adverse use is described as non-permissive

use.” (Citation omitted.) Wischt v. Heirs of Mourer, 2017-Ohio-8236, 98 N.E.3d 1307,

¶ 21 (5th Dist.). Therefore, if one uses land with permission of the title owner, it cannot

be considered adverse use. Fulton v. Rapp, 59 Ohio Law Abs. 105, 98 N.E.2d 430, 431

(2d Dist.1950); Tirpack v. Beavercreek Bd. of Edn., 2d Dist. Greene No. 91 CA 0070,

1992 WL 172160, *1 (July 24, 1992). “Whether a use of land is found to be adverse or

permissive must depend upon all the facts disclosed by the evidence in a particular case.”

(Citation omitted.) Quinter v. Soifer, 2d Dist. Miami No. 80-CA-57, 1981 WL 2877, *4

(Aug. 12, 1981).

      {¶ 19} Permission to use a title owner’s property may be express or implied. Shell

Oil Co. v. Deval Co., 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-980783, C-980809, 1999 WL 741814, *5

(Sept. 24, 1999). Although it has been held that the use of land “is not adverse if the

landowner gave permission, for example, as a neighborly accommodation,” Nusekabel

v. Cincinnati Pub. Sch. Emps. Credit Union, Inc., 125 Ohio App.3d 427, 433, 708 N.E.2d

1015 (1st Dist.1997), it has also been held that “a use does not necessarily become

permissive simply because the property owner does nothing to prevent it out of

indifference, laziness, acquiescence, or ‘neighborly accommodation.’ ” Shell Oil at *4,

quoting Gerstenlager v. Lloyd, 9th Dist. Summit No. 16814, 1995 WL 66284 (Feb. 15,

1995). Accord EAC Properties, L.L.C. v. Hall, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 08AP-251, 2008-

Ohio-6224, ¶ 8.    Therefore, “[i]t is proof that actual permission was granted that is

determinative, * * * not the descriptive label of “neighborly accommodation.” Gulas v.

Tirone, 184 Ohio App.3d 143, 2009-Ohio-5076, 919 N.E.2d 833, ¶ 25 (7th Dist.).
                                                                                         -10-

         {¶ 20} In this case, the Wietzels claim the Mundys did not adversely use the

driveway in question because Country Club/Green Tree permitted Harry Mundy to install

and use the driveway. In support of this claim, the Wietzels point to the testimony of

James Keys indicating that he approved Harry’s building plan. Because the approved

building plan included a driveway that cut across Country Club/Green Tree property, the

Wietzels contend that, even though Harry’s driveway ended up deviating from the building

plan, Harry nevertheless had permission to install the driveway on Country Club/Green

Tree property.

         {¶ 21} The Wietzels, however, ignore the fact that Keys specifically testified that

neither he nor any partner of Country Club/Green Tree ever granted Harry permission to

install or use the existing driveway. See Trial Trans. p. 30-31. Keys also made it clear

that no such permission was ever granted to any subsequent owner of the residence. Id.

at 31.    Instead, the record clearly indicates that Harry deviated from the approved

building plan and installed a driveway that was not approved by Keys.

         {¶ 22} Although the Wietzels argue that the unapproved driveway was a

“neighborly accommodation” intended to afford Harry access to his property, the following

testimony from Keys indicates otherwise.

         Defense Counsel:    * * * [T]he easement was going to be over Sugar Valley

                             property * * * but he couldn’t do it because this

                             driveway was not in?

         James Keys:         That’s right.

         Defense Counsel:    So then did you have any discussion with him or what

                             or how he was going to have access; because he’s
                                                                              -11-

                   building his building—his house—and there’s no

                   access?

James Keys:        I don’t believe we did because at that time I was

                   probably pretty well occupied by this referendum.

Defense Counsel:   At some time after—during he’s building the house or

                   right after I assume you observed this driveway that is

                   now there?

James Keys:        At some time I must have. I didn’t live out there then.

                   I lived in Kettering at the time.

***

Defense Counsel:   Well, I assume you found out relatively soon after he

                   moved in that he was using the access…?

James Keys:        I hate to admit this but it just completely slipped my

                   mind. I didn’t even think about it until this came up.

***

Defense Counsel:   Would it be fair to say that you knew Harry was going

                   to have a problem with access because that proposed

                   driveway, which is now in, wasn’t there?

James Keys:        When we sold—when we sold the lot to Harry we were

                   in the midst of filing, or I think we had already had an

                   approval, but had not recorded the plat. And then it

                   took a year—a little over a year—to get it on the ballot

                   on the referendum; so I must say that I probably was
                                                                                       -12-

                           not paying much attention.

       Defense Counsel:    Okay. Well, would it be fair to say that you were just

                           going to let Harry do—find whatever access he could

                           to his property?

       James Keys:         I truly believe that with what I see in the drawings and

                           if my memory serves that we had anticipated that he

                           would tie into the easement for lots 1 and 2.

       Defense Counsel:    Which would have been on…

       James Keys:         Sugar Valley land.

       Defense Counsel:    Sugar Valley land; so you were going to let him—kind

                           of accommodate him to let him do that? That’s what

                           it sounds like.

       James Keys:         I don’t want to say accommodate him because, frankly,

                           I don’t recall.

Trial Trans. p. 39-43.

       {¶ 23} The foregoing testimony indicates that the location and continued use of the

unapproved driveway was the product of an oversight on the part of Keys, not as a

neighborly accommodation.      Nothing in the record indicates that Harry had either

express or implied permission to install and use the driveway at issue. As a result, the

Wietzels’ argument that the Mundys did not adversely use the driveway lacks merit.

Since there is competent, credible evidence in the record indicating that the Mundys

adversely used the driveway for a period of 22 years, the trial court properly tacked on

that period of time for purposes of establishing the 21-year possession element of the
                                                                                     -13-

Schaffer’s adverse possession claim.

      {¶ 24} The Wietzels’ First Assignment of Error is overruled.

                            Second Assignment of Error

      {¶ 25} Under their Second Assignment of Error, the Wietzels contend the

exclusivity element of adverse possession was not proven by clear and convincing

evidence because Mark Schaffer testified that he would not prevent the Wietzels from

going “over [the driveway] or even hav[ing] a picnic or play[ing] volleyball on the land

around it.” See Trial Trans. p. 15. Therefore, the Wietzels are essentially arguing that

absolute exclusivity is required in order to satisfy the exclusivity element of adverse

possession. We disagree.

      {¶ 26} The Supreme Court of Ohio recently discussed the exclusivity element in

Koprivec v. Rails-to-Trails of Wayne Cty., 153 Ohio St.3d 137, 2018-Ohio-465, 102

N.E.3d 444, and stated the following:

      The general rule is that “exclusive possession can be shown by acts that

      would ordinarily be exercised by an owner in appropriating land to the

      owner’s own use and to the exclusion of others.”       16 Powell on Real

      Property, Section 91.06 (2017). “[T]he possessor must use and occupy

      the land as his own and ‘exclude all others from similar rights.’ ”

      Richardson v. Blersch, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-930042, 1994 WL 114301,

      *3 (Apr. 6, 1994), quoting Pennsylvania R.R. Co. v. Donovan, 111 Ohio St.

      341, 351, 145 N.E. 479 (1924).          Thus, to satisfy the exclusivity

      requirement, “the claimant’s possession need not be absolutely exclusive;
                                                                                     -14-

      it need only be a type of possession that would characterize an owner’s

      use.” 16 Powell on Real Property, Section 91.06.

Koprivec at ¶ 39.

      {¶ 27} This court has also held that “[a]n adverse claimants’ possession need not

be absolutely exclusive; it need only be the type of possession which would characterize

an owner’s use. In other words, the adverse possessor must exclude third parties to the

extent that the true owner would do the same.” (Citation omitted.) Jennewine v. Heinig,

2d Dist. Greene No. 95 CA 12, 1995 WL 766005, *2 (Dec. 29, 1995).

      {¶ 28} This court’s holding in Alpha Church of Nazarene v. Hoos, 2d Dist. Greene

No. 99CA0036, 1999 WL 980338, *3 (Oct. 29, 1999) also demonstrates that possession

does not have to be absolutely exclusive in order to satisfy the exclusivity element of

adverse possession. In Hoos, the defendant filed an adverse possession counterclaim

against a neighboring Nazarene Church.      Id. at *1.   The adverse possession claim

involved a gravel road that the defendant used on a daily basis to access his parcel of

land. Id. at *3. The defendant and his family testified that they maintained the gravel

road by grading it, patching it, and adding gravel when necessary.      Id.   They also

removed leaves and snow on the road, and erected a sign that said “Private Drive.” Id.

At all times, the defendant regarded the gravel road as his own. Id.

      {¶ 29} On the other hand, members of the Nazarene Church testified that they

used the gravel road to access the church’s basement for purposes of social functions

that occurred only six to twelve times per year. Id. The church members would drive

down the gravel road and then cut over to the basement door to unload passengers, food,

tables, and chairs. Id. One church member also testified that the church performed no
                                                                                          -15-

maintenance on the gravel road. Id.

       {¶ 30} On appeal, this court reversed the judgment of the trial court finding that the

exclusivity element had not been satisfied. Although the Nazarene Church members

used the gravel road on occasion, we nevertheless held that there was clear and

convincing evidence that the defendant had exclusively possessed the property per the

standard in Jennewine, 2d Dist. Greene No. 95 CA 12, 1995 WL 766005. Id.

       {¶ 31} In this case, we also find clear and convincing evidence supporting the

exclusivity requirement of adverse possession. It was undisputed that the driveway in

question was the sole means by which the Schaffers accessed the residence. Mark

Schaffer testified that the driveway was used exclusively for his residence and that he

used the driveway at least once daily. Mark also testified that the driveway was only

used by others for purposes of deliveries, service calls, or visits by friends and family.

Mark further testified that he maintained the driveway by seal coating it every two to three

years, filling cracks, shoveling snow, removing leaves, and generally keeping it in good

shape. Mark also maintained the grassy area near the driveway by mowing, weeding,

fertilizing, and applying bug preventatives.

       {¶ 32} The fact that Mark testified that he would not prevent the Wietzels from

going on the driveway or from having a picnic or playing volleyball on the surrounding

land did not bar a finding of exclusivity. We note that Mark also testified that the Wietzels

were not invited to use the driveway. See Trial Trans. p. 9. Therefore, Mark’s testimony

as a whole indicated that he considered the Wietzels invitees who may be permitted to

use the driveway if, for example, they wanted to have a picnic or play volleyball on the

surrounding land. Occasionally permitting others to use property, like how the church
                                                                                         -16-

members used the gravel road in Hoos, is consistent with the standard that an owner use

his land to the exclusion of others. Because absolute exclusivity is not required to satisfy

the exclusive possession element of adverse possession, the fact that Mark might

occasionally permit the Wietzels to use the driveway did not bar a finding of exclusivity.

       {¶ 33} The Wietzels’ Second Assignment of Error is overruled.

                               Third Assignment of Error

       {¶ 34} Under their Third Assignment of Error, the Wietzels contend the trial court’s

adverse possession ruling was against the manifest weight of the evidence. In support

of this claim, the Wietzels incorporate the arguments they raised under their First and

Second Assignments of Error and generally allege that the trial court should have

concluded that the Schaffers did not satisfy one or more of the elements necessary to

establish an adverse possession claim. We disagree.

       {¶ 35} In analyzing the Wietzels’ First and Second Assignments of Error, we have

already determined that there is competent, credible evidence in the record establishing

that the Schaffers’ possession was adverse and exclusive for a continuous period of 21-

years after tacking on the Mundys’ ownership period. Therefore, for the reasons outlined

above, the Wietzels’ claim otherwise lacks merit.

       {¶ 36} Upon review, we also find that there is competent, credible evidence in the

record supporting the open and notorious elements of adverse possession. “ ‘To be

open, the use of the disputed property must be without attempted concealment.’ ” Walls

v. Billingsley, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-92-100, 1993 WL 135808 (Apr. 28, 1993), quoting

Hindall v. Martinez, 69 Ohio App.3d 580, 583, 591 N.E.2d 308 (3d Dist.1990). “To be
                                                                                        -17-

notorious, the use must be known to some who might reasonably be expected to

communicate their knowledge to the owner if he maintained a reasonable degree of

supervision over his premises.” (Citation omitted.) Hindall at 583. “The law presumes

that an owner of property knows the condition and status of his land. Thus, an owner is

charged with the knowledge that a party is open and notoriously occupying his property

where that occupancy is plainly visible to him.” (Citation omitted.) Id.

      {¶ 37} In this case, the testimony and evidence presented at trial indicates that the

driveway has always been visible from Stewart Road and was not hidden from public

view. The testimony also indicated that, before the Schaffers purchased the residence

in 2006, the driveway was maintained by the Mundys since the early 1980s when Harry

Mundy first had the driveway blacktopped. In addition, Mark Schaffer testified that he

continued to maintain the driveway by seal coating it every two to three years, filling

cracks, shoveling snow, and removing leaves. Mark also maintained the grassy area

surrounding the driveway by mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and applying bug preventatives.

Accordingly, we find there was competent, credible evidence in the record supporting the

open and notorious elements of adverse possession.

      {¶ 38} In light of the foregoing, after weighing the evidence and all reasonable

inferences, we do not find that the trial court clearly lost its way or created a manifest

miscarriage of justice in awarding the Schaffers title to the disputed property by adverse

possession. The trial court’s judgment was therefore not against the manifest weight of

the evidence.

      {¶ 39} The Wietzels’ Third Assignment of Error is overruled.
                                                                                -18-

                                           Conclusion

       {¶ 40} Having overruled all assignments of error raised by the Wietzels, the

judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

                                      .............

HALL, J. and TUCKER, J., concur.

Copies sent to:

Charles F. Allbery, III
Michael R. Eckhart
Hon. Michael A. Buckwalter