Court Opinion

ID: 3039402
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-13 23:00:44.579302+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:48:53.944770
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                           FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
                                   ___________

                                   No. 05-1664
                                   ___________

Mark Koscielski; Barbara Bergstrom,     *
individually and d/b/a                  *
Koscielski's Guns and Ammo,             *
                                        * Appeal from the United States
            Plaintiffs/Appellants,      * District Court for the
                                        * District of Minnesota.
      v.                                *
                                        *
City of Minneapolis,                    *
                                        *
            Defendant/Appellee.         *
                                   ___________

                             Submitted: October 13, 2005
                                Filed: January 25, 2006
                                 ___________

Before BYE, BEAM, and SMITH, Circuit Judges.
                            ___________

BYE, Circuit Judge.

       Mark Koscielski appeals the district court’s1 grant of summary judgment to the
City of Minneapolis (City) on his claims the City’s zoning regulation violated the Due
Process, Equal Protection, and Takings Clauses. We affirm.

      1
       The Honorable Richard H. Kyle, United States District Judge for the District
of Minnesota.
                                           I

       In 1995, Koscielski leased a site and opened a firearms dealership. Two months
after opening his dealership, the City enacted a moratorium prohibiting firearms
dealers from locating, relocating, or expanding within the city. The City
unsuccessfully attempted to apply the moratorium retroactively against Koscielski.
See Koscielski v. City of Minneapolis, No. 3-95-Civ.-954 (D. Minn. Nov. 2, 1995).

       The City then enacted zoning ordinances requiring firearms dealers to obtain
conditional use permits and locate within particular zones and only in locations
sufficiently distant from day care centers and churches. In spite of the ordinance,
Koscielski’s dealership was grandfathered as a nonconforming use and therefore was
permitted to remain even though it was located near both a day care center and a
church. In 2002, however, Koscielski’s lease was canceled as part of a larger private
redevelopment project. Koscielski sought to relocate in accordance with the zoning
ordinances, but claims he was unable to do so.

       After Koscielski’s lease was terminated, he leased a site for his firearms
dealership in a zone which, under the zoning ordinances, does not permit firearms
retailers. Although Koscielski located his dealership farther from day care centers and
churches than his previous site, the City issued a cease and desist order because he
located in a zone where firearms retailers were prohibited and did not obtain a
variance or rezoning of the site. Koscielski challenged the zoning ordinances on due
process, equal protection, and takings grounds, claiming the zoning ordinances
impermissibly prohibit firearms retailers from locating within the city. The district
court granted the City’s motion for summary judgment on all counts and dismissed
Koscielski’s takings claim without prejudice as not ripe for review. Koscielski brings
this appeal arguing the district court committed error by dismissing all his claims.

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                                          II

      We review de novo a district court’s grant of summary judgment, applying the
same legal standards used by the district court. Voyageurs Nat’l Park Ass’n v.
Norton, 381 F.3d 759, 763 (8th Cir. 2004). Summary judgment is proper when there
is “no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law.” FED. R. CIV. P. 56(c); Employers Mut. Cas. Co. v.
Wendland, 351 F.3d 890, 893 (8th Cir. 2003). “We may affirm the district court’s
grant of summary judgment on any ground supported by the record.” Woods v.
DaimlerChrysler Corp., 409 F.3d 984, 990 (8th Cir. 2005).

       We view the evidence and reasonable inferences drawn therefrom in the light
most favorable to the nonmoving party. In re Derailment Cases, 416 F.3d 787, 792
(8th Cir. 2005). An issue of fact is genuine when a “reasonable jury could return a
verdict for the nonmoving party.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248
(1986). However, “[t]he nonmoving party may not rest on mere allegations or denials,
but must show a genuine issue of material fact (or that the movant is not entitled to
judgment).” Wenzel v. Mo.-Am. Water Co., 404 F.3d 1038, 1039 (8th Cir. 2005)
(internal quotation omitted).

                                          A

       Koscielski asserts an equal protection violation involving neither a suspect
classification nor a fundamental right. Accordingly, Koscielski must prove he was
treated differently by the government than similarly situated persons and the different
treatment was not rationally related to a legitimate government objective. City of
Cleburne, Tex. v. Cleburne Living Ctr., 473 U.S. 432, 439-40 (1985); Klinger v. Dep’t
of Corrections, 31 F.3d 727, 731 (8th Cir. 1994); Bannum, Inc. v. City of St. Charles,
2 F.3d 267, 271 (8th Cir. 1993). To demonstrate this, Koscielski must prove

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similarity to other individuals or entities receiving favorable treatment. Carter v.
Arkansas, 392 F.3d 965, 968-69 (8th Cir. 2004); Klinger, 31 F.3d at 731.

        Koscielski has provided no evidence his firearms dealership is similar to any
other firearms dealership receiving favorable treatment. Indeed, the record indicates
no other firearms dealerships are located in the city.2 Similarly, Koscielski has
provided no evidence of similarity to other retail establishments to overcome the
obvious difference in implications for public safety between gun shops and other retail
establishments.3 Even if firearms dealerships could be considered identical to other
retail establishments receiving favorable treatment, because the operation of a firearms
dealership is not a constitutionally-protected right, the City ordinance must be upheld
“if there is any reasonably conceivable state of facts that could provide a rational basis
for the classification.” FCC v. Beach Communications, Inc., 508 U.S. 307, 313
(1993); Bannum, 2 F.3d at 271. Indeed, even “[u]nequal application of the regulation
in question . . . does not violate equal protection unless there is shown to be present
in it an element of intentional or purposeful discrimination.” Cent. Airlines, Inc. v.
United States, 138 F.3d 334, 335 (8th Cir. 1998) (internal quotation omitted).

      2
         Koscielski argues the City treats gun shows at the Minneapolis Convention
Center, located adjacent to a church, differently than his dealership and such different
treatment constitutes “invidious discrimination” among gun dealers. However,
Koscielski has failed to establish commercial gun retailers at a particular location are
identical to gun retailers at a gun show. Further, Koscielski has failed to provide any
evidence of intentional or purposeful discrimination. He merely asserts the knowing
unequal application of the zoning ordinance constitutes intentional discrimination.
This is insufficient to establish an equal protection violation. See Cent. Airlines, Inc.
v. United States, 138 F.3d 334, 335 (8th Cir. 1998) (requiring intentional or
purposeful discrimination to establish an equal protection claim).
      3
        We take judicial notice the City enacted the challenged zoning ordinances to
protect public safety.

                                           -4-
       Certainly, the implications for public safety warrant regulating and zoning
firearms dealerships differently than other retail establishments and gun shows, neither
of which stores weapons or ammunition for extended periods of time. Koscielski has
failed to undermine this rational basis for the differentiation and therefore has failed
“to negate every conceivable basis which might support” the ordinance. Beach
Communications, Inc., 508 U.S. at 315 (internal quotation omitted). Further,
Koscielski has failed to provide evidence of intentional or purposeful discrimination.
Accordingly, the ordinance must be upheld and the district court affirmed.

                                             B

        Koscielski argues the city ordinance violates the Due Process Clause because
it effectively eliminates the ability of firearms dealerships to relocate within city limits
and exists because of the City’s antipathy to firearms retailers. Koscielski's argument
does not touch on a fundamental right or liberty interest. Accordingly, to prove a due
process violation, Koscielski must prove the zoning ordinance is not rationally related
to a legitimate government interest. See generally Chesterfield Dev’t Corp. v.
Chesterfield, 963 F.2d 1102 (8th Cir. 1992). It is undisputed the purpose of the City’s
zoning ordinance, to protect public safety, is legitimate.

        Due process claims involving local land use decisions must demonstrate the
“government action complained of is truly irrational, that is something more than .
. . arbitrary, capricious, or in violation of state law.” Anderson v. Douglas County, 4
F.3d 574, 577 (8th Cir. 1993) (internal quotation omitted). The action must therefore
be so egregious or extraordinary as to shock the conscience. See County of
Sacramento v. Lewis, 523 U.S. 833, 846-47 (1998); Burton v. Richmond, 370 F.3d
723, 729 (8th Cir. 2004).

      Koscielski argues the City ordinance leaves “a tiny handful of parcels in private
land, most occupied by existing restaurants and adult entertainment establishments,

                                            -5-
not likely to move or become available at anytime in the near future.” Appellant’s Br.
at 17. Taking this statement as true, Koscielski has failed to establish a substantive
due process violation.

       Koscielski likens his case to Alexander v. City of Minneapolis, 698 F.2d 936
(8th Cir. 1983) (concluding, in an adult entertainment case, a dozen possible locations
were inadequate to support 30 relocating businesses), because he suggests the zoning
ordinances, which made retail sales of firearms out of residences improper, will force
the residential retailers to relocate and therefore demand will greatly exceed supply
of locations. Although Koscielski improperly applies the constitutional analysis to his
case, his argument nevertheless fails because he has not demonstrated any residential
retailers would relocate to a commercial location. Further, the record demonstrates
Koscielski was aware of vacant lots meeting the requirements of the zoning
ordinances. See App. at 109. Additionally, the City prepared a list of addresses
which, under the zoning ordinances, would permit the retail sales of firearms.
Although many of these locations were occupied,4 this evidence is sufficient to
demonstrate the existence of potential locations. Even when obligated under a
constitutional standard to provide reasonable alternatives, a municipality is not
obligated to ensure all interested parties are able to occupy a location for any purpose
at any given time. Its obligation extends only so far as to ensure ample possibilities
for location exist; Koscielski must then fend for himself in the real estate market. See
City of Renton v. Playtime Theatres, Inc., 475 U.S. 41, 53-54 (1986). In a non-
constitutional case, there is no such obligation to ensure reasonable alternatives. Upon

      4
        Koscielski also argues this is disputed by unofficial zoning maps he prepared.
He argues “[v]irtually all of the addresses set forth are clearly disqualified under the
zoning maps.” Appellant’s Br. at 7-8 n.4. This assertion, however, leaves open the
possibility there exist some addresses meeting the requirements of the zoning
ordinances and is insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact. Further, the
geographic information specialist who prepared the maps acknowledges the maps may
not be wholly accurate. App. at 105-07.

                                          -6-
review of the record, no reasonable juror could conclude the City’s zoning ordinance
was so irrational and egregious as to shock the conscience.

       Koscielski also argues the ordinance was “motivated by a personal and political
animus, totally unrelated to any legitimate governmental function,” thereby making
the ordinance “truly irrational.” Appellant’s Br. at 22. Although this allegation might
support a due process violation, see, e.g., Scott v. Greenville County, 716 F.2d 1409
(4th Cir. 1983), the allegation lacks evidentiary support. Koscielski argues within two
months of opening his firearms dealership in 1995, the City passed a moratorium
barring all uses within the City and attempted to apply the moratorium retroactively.
Koscielski argues when this failed, the City enacted the zoning ordinance designed to
prevent the shop from relocating. Koscielski further argues a “city official then
directly touted the fact that, as part of a redevelopment plan at Appellant’s location
the landlord was being required to cancel Appellant’s lease.” Appellant’s Br. at 22-
23. Koscielski doesn’t, however, suggest the City forced the cancellation of the lease.
Koscielski’s other evidence is patently insufficient to support a reasonable inference
of improper personal or political motives, let alone conscience-shocking behavior.
Accordingly, the district court properly dismissed Koscielski’s due process claim with
prejudice.

                                          C

      The district court dismissed Koscielski’s federal and state takings claims
without prejudice as not ripe for review. Koscielski suggests because the case was
removed, the City should be required to waive its ripeness challenge. Koscielski’s
argument, however, would require the Court to refuse to consider whether it has
subject matter jurisdiction over the case and is therefore untenable.

      “[I]f a state provides an adequate procedure for seeking just compensation, the
property owner cannot claim a violation of the Just Compensation Clause until it has

                                         -7-
used the procedure and been denied just compensation.” Williamson County Reg’l
Planning Comm’n v. Hamilton Bank, 473 U.S. 172, 194-97 (1985). There exists a
procedure in Minnesota by which individuals may seek just compensation. See
Wilson v. Ramacher, 352 N.W.2d 389, 394 (Minn. 1984). Failure to follow such a
procedure or have the Minnesota courts rule an inverse condemnation action may not
be brought makes a taking claim not ripe for review by the federal courts. See
Kottschade v. City of Rochester, 319 F.3d 1038, 1041 (8th Cir. 2003); Carpenter
Outdoor Advertising Co. v. City of Fenton, 251 F.3d 686, 691 (8th Cir. 2001).
Therefore, we lack jurisdiction over Koscielski’s takings claim. Pub. Water Supply
Dist. No. 8 v. City of Kearney, 401 F.3d 930, 932 (8th Cir. 2005). Accordingly, the
district court properly dismissed it without prejudice.

      We therefore affirm the district court in all respects.
                      ______________________________

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