Court Opinion

ID: 4267921
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-04-24 00:07:22.958157+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:31:11.873406
License: Public Domain

State of Vermont
                           Superior Court—Environmental Division

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                   ENTRY REGARDING MOTION
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In re Howard Center Renovation Permit                                   Docket No. 12-1-13 Vtec

Title: Motion to Amend Statement of Questions (Filing No. 6)
Filed: June 10, 2013
Filed By: Appellant South Burlington School District
Response filed on 6/24/2013 by Appellee HowardCenter, Inc.
Reply filed on 7/1/2013 by Appellant
Supplemental Response filed on 7/1/2013 by Appellee

___ Granted                     X Denied                      ___ Other

        On January 30, 2013, the South Burlington School District (the District) appealed the
decision of the City of South Burlington Development Review Board (the DRB) to affirm the
approval of zoning permit #ZP-12-292 (the Permit), awarded to HowardCenter, Inc. (Applicant)
for interior renovations to a location that Applicant proposes to use as a methadone clinic. The
District now seeks to amend its Statement of Questions to include a sixth question:
       Whether exterior renovations are permissible under the HowardCenter’s permit
       for interior renovations and whether the renovations at 364 Dorset Street exceed
       the scope of the permit and require additional review under the [City of South
       Burlington Land Development Regulations].
(Amended Statement of Questions at 2, filed June 10, 2013.) The alleged exterior renovations to
which the District refers are outdoor security cameras recently installed on the exterior of the
building that Applicant rents and proposes for interior renovations. Outdoor security cameras
do not form a part of the application under consideration in this appeal.
        As a general matter, this Court liberally grants motions to amend a Statement of
Questions. In re Ridgewood Estates Homeowners Ass’n, No. 57-4-10 Vtec, slip op. at 7 (Vt.
Super. Ct. Envtl. Div. Jan. 26, 2011) (Wright, J.) (citing Appeal of Town of Fairfax, No. 45-3-03
Vtec, slip op. at 5 (Vt. Envtl. Ct. June 13, 2005) (Wright, J.)). We look to the same concerns as the
Civil Division does when determining whether to grant a motion to amend a complaint; that is,
we consider if there has been undue delay or bad faith by the moving party, whether the other
parties will be prejudiced, and whether the amendment will be futile. Colby v. Umbrella, Inc.,
2008 VT 20, ¶ 4, 184 Vt. 1; In re Huntington Remodeling Appl., No. 210-10-07 Vtec, slip op. at 4–
5 (Vt. Envtl. Ct. Nov. 5, 2008) (Durkin, J.).
       In this case, Applicant argues that the proposed Question 6 is futile insofar as it exceeds
the scope of this appeal, which is not an enforcement proceeding, but rather an appeal of
Applicant’s zoning permit. Applicant states that its permit application is solely for interior
renovations at 364 Dorset Street and does not seek approval for any exterior renovations,
In re Howard Ctr. Renovation Permit, No. 12-1-13 Vtec (EO on Mot. to Amend SOQ) (7-25-2013)          Pg. 2 of 2.

including the installation of exterior security cameras. Accordingly, Applicant argues that this
Court cannot include the installation of exterior cameras as part of its review of Applicant’s
permit application. We agree with this analysis.
        The District contends that proposed Question 6 raises concerns of whether Applicant
and its landlord “had an arrangement to allow the HowardCenter to avoid further review by
limiting its application to one for internal renovations.” (Appellant’s Reply at 2, filed July 1,
2013.) In light of this alleged scheme, the District argues, the exterior cameras may be integral
to Applicant’s interior renovation project, should be considered part of Applicant’s zoning
permit application, and “reflect that the use of the building as a methadone clinic is a change or
expansion of use [requiring] additional review under the South Burlington Land Development
Regulations.” (Mot. to Amend Statement of Questions at 3, filed June 10, 2013.)
        We find the District’s argument unpersuasive. In an appeal of a municipal permitting
decision below, this Court determines whether a proposed project complies with the applicable
municipal regulations. Applicant has clearly stated that it does not propose to include exterior
security cameras as part of its interior renovations. We review the project as proposed.
Accordingly, we DENY the District’s motion to amend its statement of questions.

_________________________________________                                                July 25, 2012
       Thomas G. Walsh, Judge                                                               Date
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Date copies sent: _________________                           Clerk's Initials _______
Copies sent to:
  Sean M. Toohey and Pietro J. Lynn, Attorneys for Appellant South Burlington School District
  Franklin L. Kochman, Attorney for Appellee HowardCenter, Inc.
  Joseph S. McLean, Attorney for Interested Person City of South Burlington
  Interested Person Dorset St. Real Estate Holdings, LLC