Court Opinion

ID: 2715284
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-06 17:20:44.500541+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:18:54.237320
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

DAVID C. COTTINGHAM and JOAN S.
COTTINGHAM,                                         DIVISION ONE
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RON MORGAN and KAYE MORGAN,                                                       55         "^ ~i-~-

MARK COSTELLO, WHATCOM
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COUNTY and WHATCOM COUNTY
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BUILDING SERVICES DIVISION OF                                                         O

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES,

                    Respondents.                    FILED: April 28, 2014

      Dwyer, J. - In this latest iteration of a long-running property dispute

between neighbors on Lake Whatcom, the superior court granted summary

judgment dismissing David and Joan Cottingham's complaint for declaratory
relief and judicial review under the Land Use Petition Act (LUPA), RCW 36.70C.
The court also awarded attorney fees and costs to Ron and Kaye Morgan under

CR 11 and RCW 4.84.185. We affirm the judgment in all respects and award

fees to the Morgans on appeal.1

       Whatcom County appeared below but has not filed a brief on appeal.
No. 70218-1-1/2

      In 2006, Ron and Kaye Morgan purchased a waterfront lot that shares a

boundary with property owned by David and Joan Cottingham.

       In August 2006, the Morgans obtained a building permit and began

constructing a house, fence, and driveway on their lot. Using a survey they

obtained prior to purchasing their lot, the Morgans installed the fence on the

boundary shared with the Cottinghams. The Cottinghams did not seek

administrative review of the building permit.

       In 2007, the Morgans removed eight laurel bushes along the shared

boundary in order to construct their driveway.

       In June 2009, the Cottinghams sued the Morgans, alleging adverse

possession, trespass, conversion, nuisance, and outrage. The Morgans
counterdaimed to quiet title. The trial court rejected the nuisance and outrage

claims, but concluded that the Cottinghams adversely possessed roughly 300

square feet ofthe Morgans' property along their shared boundary line. For
equitable reasons, the court ruled that the Morgans were entitled to buy back the
adversely possessed property for $8,216.55. The court also ruled that the
Morgans committed conversion when they removed the laurel bushes and
awarded treble damages under the timber trespass statute. The court entered a

total judgment of $21,245.49 against the Morgans.

       The Cottinghams moved to reconsider, vacate the judgment, or grant a
new trial. They argued in part that trial testimony showed that the Morgans'
No. 70218-1-1/3

surveyor ignored plat language and normal practice in locating the property

corners, and that newly discovered evidence showed the true property line. The

trial court denied the Cottinghams' motions. This court subsequently affirmed,

but remanded for correction of an inconsistent conclusion of law. Cottingham v.

Morgan, noted at 177 Wn. App. 1010 (2013).

      On October 25, 2012, the County granted final occupancy approval under

the Morgans' 2006 building permit. The County issued no written decision, but

its approval is documented in the record.

      The Cottinghams allege that in early November 2012, they timely filed an

administrative appeal from the occupancy approval to both the Hearing Examiner

and the County Board of Appeals. In support, they submitted dated filing fee

receipts for their administrative appeals below. They also submitted their

administrative appeal documents, which bore "received" stamps from the office of

the Whatcom County Planning and Development Services. The stamp dates are

November 5 and November 8, 2012. David Cottingham alleged in a declaration

that after he filed the appeals, he "contacted the clerk for the Whatcom County

Hearing Examiner for report of the scheduling of this [administrative] appeal, and
was informed that no appeal was scheduled and she could find no such appeal."

In its memorandum below, the County echoed the clerk's statement, stating that

"[n]o appeal was filed with the Hearing Examiner or Whatcom County Council."
       On November 15, 2012, the Cottinghams filed this "Land Use Petition and

Complaint for Declaratory Judgment" against the Morgans and Whatcom County.
No. 70218-1-1/4

The complaint mirrored the arguments raised in the Cottinghams' administrative

appeals. It alleged various defects and misrepresentations regarding the

Morgans' survey and building permit. These included the alleged use of "false

corner stakes," and failure to disclose the "true boundary" in violation of the

Surveyor Recording Act, RCW 58.09.

       The complaint also alleged errors by the County in granting occupancy

approval. It alleged that "[fjinal occupancy approval includes inspection and

approval of building permit conditions including setback performance for

compliance with conditions," that the building code allows correction of permit

errors and the denial of occupancy if permits contain errors or conflict with the

code, that building permits containing material misrepresentations are invalid

under state law and Lauer v. Pierce County, 173 Wn.2d 242, 267 P.3d 988

(2011), and that the occupancy approval ignored misrepresentations and errors

in the permit and property line. In addition, the Cottinghams alleged that the

County failed to issue a certificate of occupancy approval as required by the

building code.

       In the "Remedy" and "Relief" portions of the complaint, the Cottinghams

requested invalidation of the 2006 building permit. They also sought declarations
that the County lacked authority to grant final occupancy approval under the

circumstances, that the Cottinghams have standing to enforce requirements for a

"valid, fully complete permit," that the Cottinghams' actual property boundaries
are contrary to the findings of the court in the first lawsuit, and that such findings
No. 70218-1-1/5

were "entered without permit review or use of the special exclusive [LUPA]

jurisdiction under RCW 36.70C.030."

       The Morgans moved to dismiss the complaint under CR 12(b)(6) and CR

56. In granting summary judgment, the court concluded that the LUPA petition

was untimely as to the 2006 building permit, and that the final occupancy

approval did not trigger review under LUPA. The court also concluded that "all

issues raised and claims made by Cottinghams in this matter[ ] were . ..

[previously] litigated" and were therefore barred by res judicata. The court

determined that any new claims were also barred by a three-year statute of

limitation because they "would have been known to Cottinghams .. . under any

conceivable factual situation, by June 30, 2009."

       On June 19, 2013, the court entered additional findings, conclusions and

an order imposing $29,282.80 in attorney fees and costs against the

Cottinghams under CR 11 and RCW 4.84.185. The Cottinghams appeal.

                                         II

       The central issue on appeal is whether the superior court erred in granting

summary judgment. We review that decision de novo, engaging in the same

inquiry as the trial court. Dillon v. Seattle Deposition Reporters, LLC,    Wn.
App.    , 316 P.3d 1119, 1127(2014). Summary judgment is proper if the
pleadings, affidavits, depositions, and admissions on file demonstrate thatthere
is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to
summary judgment as a matter of law. CR 56(c); Dillon, 316 P.3d at 1127. All
No. 70218-1-1/6

reasonable inferences from the evidence must be drawn in favor of the

nonmoving party. Lamon v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 91 Wn.2d 345, 349, 588

P.2d 1346 (1979). Applying these principles here, we conclude that the court

properly granted summary judgment.

LUPA Review / Jurisdiction / Exhaustion of Remedies

       The Cottinghams first contend that the court erred in dismissing their

petition for judicial review. LUPA authorizes judicial review of "land use

decisions." RCW 36.70C.030(1). Under RCW 36.70C.020(2), a "land use

decision" is a "final determination by a local jurisdiction's body or officerwith the

highest level of authority to make the determination, including those with
authority to hear appeals." Thus, exhaustion of remedies must occur before
there is a "land use decision" that a court has statutory authority to review.

Durland v. San Juan County, 175 Wn. App. 316, 321-25, 305 P.3d 246, review

granted, 179Wn.2d mm, 315 P.3d 530 (2013V Ward v. Bd. of Skagit County

Comm'rs, 86 Wn. App. 266, 271-73, 936 P.2d 42 (1997). In addition, absent

exhaustion, a litigant lacks standing to bring a petition for judicial review under
LUPA. RCW 36.70C.060(2)(d). West v. Stahlev, 155Wn. App. 691, 696-97, 229

P.3d 943 (2010); Durland, 175 Wn. App. at 324-25.
       There are two potential land use decisions at issue in this case - the

Morgans' 2006 building permit and the 2012 final occupancy approval under that
permit. It is undisputed that issuance of the 2006 building permit was subject to
administrative review, that there was no administrative appeal, and that the
No. 70218-1-1/7

permit decision was not made by the body with the highest authority to make it.

Accordingly, the Cottinghams lacked standing to file, and the superior court

lacked jurisdiction to hear, their petition for judicial review of the 2006 permit

decision. Durland, 175 Wn. App. at 321-22. In addition, because the

Cottinghams failed to file a petition for judicial review within 21 days of the permit

decision as required by RCW 36.70C.040(3), the decision became final, is

deemed valid, and is not subject to collateral attack here. Durland v. San Juan

County. 174 Wn. App. 1, 13-14, 298 P.3d 757 (2012).

       The Cottinghams' LUPA petition was, however, filed within 21 days of the

October 25, 2012 final occupancy approval. But once again, the Cottingham's do

not dispute that the occupancy decision was not made by the officer or body with
the highest authority to make it. Therefore, the Cottinghams lacked standing to

file, and the superior court lacked authority to hear, a LUPA petition from the

occupancy decision.

       The Cottinghams argue, however, that their failure to exhaust remedies

with higher authorities should be excused, and they should receive LUPA review
of the occupancy decision, because they attempted to exhaust their remedies
with higher authorities but review was unavailable. We rejected essentially the
same argument in Durland, stating that "[granting relief from the exhaustion
requirement might aid Durland in establishing standing. It could not, however,
expand the authority of the court to act." 175 Wn. App. at 325.
No. 70218-1-1/8

       In any event, the Cottinghams fail to carry their burden of demonstrating

grounds to relieve them from the exhaustion requirement.2 The exhaustion

doctrine ensures that administrative agencies have an opportunity to exercise

their expertise, that agencies are allowed to develop the record necessary for

judicial review, that courts give proper deference to agencies possessing

expertise in areas outside the conventional experience of judges, that litigants do

not ignore administrative procedures by resorting to the courts prematurely, and

that resort to the courts occurs only if administrative remedies are unsatisfactory.

Valley View Indus. Park v. City of Redmond. 107 Wn.2d 621, 633, 733 P.2d 182

(1987); Phillips v. King County, 87 Wn. App. 468, 479-80, 943 P.2d 306 (1997),

aff'd, 136 Wn.2d 946, 968 P.2d 871 (1998). Because of these strong policies

favoring exhaustion, a litigant has a heavy burden of establishing a "rare, factual

situationf"] warranting relief from the exhaustion requirement. Spokoinv v. Wash-

State Youth Soccer Ass'n. 128 Wn. App. 794, 802, 117P.3d 1141 (2005); Stafne

v. Snohomish County, 174 Wn.2d 24, 35, 271 P.3d 868 (2012); Presbytery of

Seattle v. King County. 114 Wn.2d 320, 338, 787 P.2d 907 (1990). Whether

pursuit of an administrative remedy would be futile is a question for the court.

Citizens for Clean Air v. Citv of Spokane. 114 Wn.2d 20, 30, 785 P.2d 447

(1990).

       2When administrative remedies have not been exhausted, it is the litigant's burden to
show that administrative remedies were unavailable or futile. Presbytery of Seattle v. King
County, 114 Wn.2d 320, 338, 787 P.2d 907 (1990); Ackeriev Commc'ns, Inc. v. Citv of Seattle, 92
Wn.2d 905, 909-11, 602 P.2d 1177 (1979); Thun v. Citv of Bonnev Lake, 164Wn. App. 755, 763,
265 P.3d 207 (2011), review denied, 173 Wn.2d 1035 (2012).

                                             -8-
No. 70218-1-1/9

      The Cottinghams claim they timely filed an administrative appeal, but

when they called to inquire about their hearing date, they were told there was no

record of their appeal. They then abandoned the administrative appeal and filed

a LUPA petition for judicial review. Even when viewed in a light most favorable

to the Cottinghams, these facts do not satisfy their heavy burden.

      The Cottinghams were not told that administrative remedies were

unavailable. The clerk merely indicated that there was no record of their appeal.

The Cottinghams could have produced their date-stamped documents and

appeal receipts to prove otherwise. If the County then refused to provide them a

hearing, administrative remedies would have been unavailable. But instead, the
Cottinghams simply abandoned the administrative process without presenting
their proof to the County and/or obtaining a decision denying them administrative
review. In light ofthe strong policies favoring exhaustion and the Cottinghams'
heavy burden, they have failed to demonstrate the unavailability orfutility of their
administrative remedies. The court did not err in dismissing the LUPA petition.

Declaratory Relief / Res Judicata / Adeguate Available Remedy

       In addition to seeking LUPA review, the Cottinghams' complaint sought

declaratory relief. The superior court concluded that the non-LUPA claims were
either previously litigated in the quiet title action and were now barred by res
judicata, orthey were barred by the statute of limitation. We conclude the court
No. 70218-1-1/10

did not err in dismissing the request for declaratory relief, but for slightly different

reasons.3

       The Cottinghams' complaint for non-LUPA relief alleged no causes of

action for damages against the Morgans or the County.4 It simply sought

declaratory relief regarding the 2006 building permit and the final occupancy

approval. Declaratory relief is not available when there is an adequate

alternative remedy. Stafne, 174 Wn.2d at 39; Grandmaster Shen-Yen Lu v. King

County. 110 Wn. App. 92, 98-99, 38 P.3d 1040 (2002). The party seeking

declaratory relief must show the absence of an adequate alternative remedy.

Nakatav. Blue Bird. Inc.. 146 Wn. App. 267, 279, 191 P.3d 900 (2008). Although

declaratory relief is available if a court determines that other available remedies

are unsatisfactory, this exceptional relief is rare. Sheng-Yen Lu, 110 Wn. App.
at 106. Loss of an adequate remedy due to a party's failure to diligently pursue it

does not allow the party to bring an action for declaratory relief. Evergreen

Wash. Healthcare Frontier LLC v. Dep't of Social & Health Servs., 171 Wn. App.

431, 452-53, 287 P.3d 40 (2012), review denied, 176 Wn.2d 1028 (2013). We

review a court's dismissal of a request for declaratory relief for abuse of

discretion. Shen-Yen Lu v. King County, 110 Wn. App. at 99.

       To the extent the Cottinghams' action for declaratory relief arises either

from issues that were or could have been litigated in the quiet title action, or from

        3We may affirm an order granting summary judgment on any basis supported by the
record. LaMon v. Butler. 112 Wn.2d 193, 200-01, 770 P.2d 1027 (1989).

                                           -10-
No. 70218-1-1/11

issues that could have been pursued in an administrative appeal from the permit

decision, it is barred by the doctrine of res judicata and/or the finality of the

unappealed permit. See Chelan County v. Nvkreim. 146 Wn.2d 904, 940, 52

P.3d 1 (2002) (boundary line adjustment that conflicted with County regulations

but was not appealed was final and could not later be challenged); Durland. 174

Wn. App. at 13 ("a party may not collaterally challenge a land use decision for

which the appeal period has passed via a challenge to a subsequent land use

decision"); Kellv-Hansen v. Kellv-Hansen. 87 Wn. App. 320, 329, 941 P.2d 1108

(1997) (res judicata prevents relitigation of claims that were or should have been
decided among the parties in an earlier proceeding).5 This includes declaratory
relief based on the 2006 permit, the property boundary, the Morgans' survey, and
all issues litigated at trial and in the Cottinghams' posttrial motion to vacate.
           To the extent the requested declaratory relief is based on issues relating

to occupancy approval or other matters that could not have been pursued in the
prior litigation, it is barred by the rule that declaratory relief is not available when
there is an adequate alternative remedy. The Cottinghams do not claim that an
administrative appeal from the occupancy approval would be an inadequate
remedy. Rather, they claim that an administrative appeal was not available or

           4Ironically, the Cottinghams recognize in their reply brief that "[a] complaint must at least
identify the legal theories upon which the plaintiff is seeking recovery. Molloy v. City of Bellevue,
71 Wn. App. 382, 385, 859 P.2d 613 (1993)."
           5While res judicata might not bar claims for declaratory relief against the County since it
was not a party to the prior litigation, the cited cases indicate that the finality of the unappealed
building permit bars any claims against the County for declaratory relief that are based on the
 permit.

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No. 70218-1-1/12

futile. As discussed above, they have failed to carry their burden on that claim.

The superior court properly dismissed the request for declaratory relief.

CR 11 Sanctions / Attorney Fees

       The Cottinghams challenge the superior court's award of fees and costs

under CR 11 and RCW 4.84.185. We review such awards for abuse of

discretion. In re Recall of Lindguist, 172 Wn.2d 120, 135-36, 258 P.3d 9 (2011).

Johnson v. Mermis, 91 Wn. App. 127, 135, 955 P.2d 826 (1998). There was no

abuse of discretion here.

       The superior court awarded fees under CR 11 because the complaint was

"not supported by any fact or law or reasonable argument for any extension of

existing law." The court also concluded that the Cottinghams arguments were

"were filed at least in part to harass and/or annoy Morgans," and "were frivolous

and advanced without reasonable cause in violation of RCW 4.84.185." The

court found that the Cottinghams' pleadings were "chaotic, convoluted, and

difficult to understand, which pleadings required a substantial amount of time to

understand and thoughtfully respond."

       The Cottinghams' opening brief contains a rambling, often incoherent

argument regarding the award offees that provides no meaningful legal analysis.
They simply fail to demonstrate an abuse ofdiscretion.6

           6We need not consider claims that are not supported by meaningful legal analysis. State
v, Elliott. 114Wn.2d6, 15, 785 P 2d 440 M990V In re the Marriage of Arvev. 77 Wn. App. 817,
819 n. 1, 894 P.2d 1346 (1995). To the extent the Cottinghams reply brief contains more
coherent arguments on this point, the arguments come too late and we decline to consider them.
Cowiche Canvon Conservancy v. Boslev. 118 Wn.2d 801, 809, 828 P.2d 549 (1992); Dykstra v.
County of Skagit. 97 Wn. App. 670, 676, 985 P.2d 424 (1999).

                                              -12-
No. 70218-1-1/13

        The Morgans request attorney fees on appeal, arguing that the appeal is

frivolous. RAP 18.9. An appeal is frivolous if it is so totally devoid of merit that

there is no reasonable possibility of reversal. Green River Cmtv. Coll. Dist. No.

10 v. Higher Educ. Pers. Bd.. 107 Wn.2d 427, 443, 730 P.2d 653 (1986). As

briefed by the Cottinghams, this appeal presents no debatable issues.7 The

Morgans are entitled to fees and costs on appeal, subject to their compliance

with RAP 18.1.

       Affirmed.

We concur:

        7 We note that, like the court below, our review of this case has been hampered by poor,
often indecipherable, briefing by the Cottinghams. For example, they argue:
        Cottinghams therefore identified a request to review an agency decision to waive
        Morgans' Exemption Condition violation for its quality as an interpretive and enforcement
        decision affecting their reliance upon announced assurance by ordinance, in a petition
         brought as soon as mandated enforcement was actually decided against and
        administrative remedies had been requested without responsive acceptance of
        jurisdiction by Whatcom County.
Appellants' Reply Br. at 7.

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