Court Opinion

ID: 6496260
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-29 15:11:19.480218+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:48:47.326080
License: Public Domain

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

David Lenhart and Dianne Lenhart,                 :
                       Appellants                 :
                                                  :
                   v.                             :   No. 409 C.D. 2021
                                                  :   ARGUED: December 13, 2021
Cogan House Township                              :

BEFORE:        HONORABLE PATRICIA A. McCULLOUGH, Judge
               HONORABLE CHRISTINE FIZZANO CANNON, Judge
               HONORABLE BONNIE BRIGANCE LEADBETTER, Senior Judge

OPINION NOT REPORTED

MEMORANDUM OPINION BY
SENIOR JUDGE LEADBETTER                                               FILED: June 29, 2022

               David and Dianne Lenhart appeal from an order of the Court of
Common Pleas of Lycoming County dismissing with prejudice their complaint in
mandamus (Lenhart II complaint) seeking enforcement against Cogan House
Township and requesting that it obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit, develop an Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) Plan,
develop a Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Plan, and pay fees
and costs of suit along with any other relief deemed appropriate. The previous
related case is Cogan House Township v. Lenhart, 197 A.3d 1264 (Pa. Cmwlth.
2018), appeal denied, 216 A.3d 1030 (Pa. 2019) (Table) (Lenhart I). In the present
case, Lenhart II, we affirm, albeit on different grounds from the issues asserted.1

    1
       Where the result is correct and the basis for affirming is clear from the record, we may affirm
a trial court determination under a different rationale. Rabenold v. Zoning Hearing Bd. of the
Borough of Palmerton, 777 A.2d 1257, 1263 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2001).
                Located in Cogan House Township, the Lenharts’ property fronts both
sides of Post Road. In 2011, the Township approved the request of two gas
companies to hire an engineering firm to design and oversee road improvements to
Post Road in preparation for gas drilling activities in the area. Lenhart I, 197 A.3d
at 1267. The work that took place between 2011 and 2014 included installing swales
alongside the road and replacing existing piping along and under the road. In August
2014, the Township filed a two-count complaint averring that the Lenharts, without
authority, improperly interfered with a drainage system and easements along the
road. In July 2016, the Lenharts filed their fourth amended counterclaim (Lenhart I
counterclaim):        Count I-willful misconduct or gross negligence; Count II-
negligence; Count III-negligence per se; Count IV-nuisance; and Count V-trespass.
They averred that the Township caused modifications to be performed in violation
of the Storm Water Management Act (SWMA),2 the regulations promulgated by the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) pursuant to the Clean Streams Law,3
and the Township’s Storm Water Management Ordinance.
                On appeal in Lenhart I, we reversed the trial court’s judgment in favor
of the Township, determining that the trial court erred (1) in ruling that the Township
did not engage in the alteration or development of land; (2) in determining that the
Township’s activities constituted road maintenance and not road construction or
reconstruction; and (3) in failing to address the Lenharts’ common law claims and
request for equitable relief.4 In addition, we remanded to the trial court for evidence

    2
        Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864, as amended, 32 P.S. §§ 680.1-680.17.
    3
        Act of June 22, 1937, P.L. 1987, as amended, 35 P.S. §§ 691.1-691.1001.
    4
      The Township did not appeal from the dismissal of its complaint. Consequently, we
considered only the appeal from the order entering a verdict in favor of the Township on the
Lenhart I counterclaim. Lenhart I, 197 A.3d at 1267.

                                                2
as to any damages that the Lenharts may have sustained as well as consideration of
their common law claims and request for equitable relief. The outstanding claims
from Lenhart I were listed for trial in the trial court’s January/February 2022 term.
(Twp.’s Sept. 27, 2021 Br. at 4 n.1.)
               In September 2020, the Lenharts filed the Lenhart II complaint seeking
to compel the Township to apply for the requisite permitting and to comply with the
other regulatory requirements that we deemed necessary in Lenhart I. Count I
asserts a violation of 25 Pa. Code § 102.5(a) requiring a NPDES permit for projects
involving earth disturbance activity of one acre or more. Count II asserts a violation
of 25 Pa. Code § 102.4(b)(2) requiring a written E&S Plan for earth disturbance
activities resulting in a total earth disturbance of 5000 square feet or more. Count
III asserts a violation of 25 Pa. Code § 102.8(a) requiring that one proposing earth
disturbance activities obtain permit coverage as required under Chapter 102 of
DEP’s regulations (E&S control) and develop and implement a PCSM Plan.
               The Township filed preliminary objections to the Lenhart II complaint
asserting: (1) that the claims are barred by the doctrine of res judicata; (2) that the
doctrine of lis pendens applies due to the pendency of the Lenhart I litigation; and
(3) that the claims are barred by the six-month statute of limitations applicable to
mandamus claims.5 In addition, the Township contended that the Lenharts failed to
name the proper defendant in accordance with Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure
1094(a) (Action in Mandamus-Parties Defendant).6 The trial court dismissed the
    5
      In pertinent part, Section 5522(b)(1) of the Judicial Code provides that actions “against any
officer of any government unit for anything done in the execution of his office” must be
commenced within six months. 42 Pa.C.S. § 5522(b)(1).
    6
       The Lenharts named the Township as defendant, as opposed to township officials. In
pertinent part, Rule 1094(a) and (c) provides:

(Footnote continued on next page…)

                                                3
Lenhart II complaint with prejudice, sustaining the preliminary objections pertaining
to the six-month statute of limitations and a failure to name the proper defendant but
declining to address the objections asserting that the Lenhart II claims should be
barred by either the doctrine of res judicata or lis pendens.
              At this time, the trial court may or may not have entered a final order
in Lenhart I triggering the applicability of the doctrine of res judicata. However,
the Lenhart II complaint is barred by the doctrine of lis pendens. The applicability
of that doctrine requires that “(1) the prior case is the same; (2) the parties are
substantially the same; and (3) the relief requested is the same.” Pa. Pharmacists
Ass’n v. Dep’t of Pub. Welfare, 733 A.2d 666 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1999). When a party
seeks to dismiss a claim under the doctrine, the three-pronged test must be strictly
applied. Hillgartner v. Port Auth. of Allegheny Cnty., 936 A.2d 131 (Pa. Cmwlth.
2007). The applicability of the doctrine is a pure question of law ascertainable from
an inspection of the records in the two cases. Id. at 138.

                      (a) When an action is commenced to compel performance of
              a public act or duty by a political subdivision of the Commonwealth,
              it shall be sufficient to name as defendants such officers in their
              official capacities as are concerned in the act or duty.
                      ....

                      (c) When a public act or duty is required to be performed by
              an executive or administrative department, by a departmental
              administrative board or commission or by an independent
              administrative board or commission of the Commonwealth or by a
              board or body of a political subdivision, it shall be sufficient to name
              the department, board, commission or body as the defendant without
              joining as a defendant the head of the department or members of the
              board, commission or body.

Pa.R.Civ.P. 1094(a) and (c).

                                                 4
                Turning to the first requirement, both the Lenhart I counterclaim and
the Lenhart II complaint pertain to the 2011 and 2014 modifications, construction,
and/or reconstruction that the Township made and/or authorized for Post Road.
(July 29, 2016 Fourth Amended Countercl. at 1, ¶ 34; Reproduced Record “R.R.” at
58a) and (Sept. 8, 2020 Compl. in Mandamus at 3; ¶¶ 13 and 22; R.R. at 4a). Both
contain specific averments describing the nature of the Township’s activities with
respect to Post Road, asserting that the Township failed to comply with the law in
undertaking those activities, and asserting specific damages therefrom. In addition,
both pertain to the Township’s obligations and alleged continuing failure to comply
with the applicable law and regulations as mandated by this Court in Lenhart I. In
that respect, both reference the Township’s failure to apply for the requisite
permitting7 and failure to submit the appropriate plans.                     In asserting that the
Township has failed to comply with Lenhart I and that its noncompliance constitutes
an ongoing violation, the Lenharts maintain that they were compelled to file the
Lenhart II complaint in order to achieve the Township’s compliance with the
unappealable and final decision in Lenhart I. Accordingly, both cases are the same.
                As for the requirement that the parties be substantially the same, the
parties in both cases are the same—the Township and the Lenharts.

    7
      At the December 2021 oral argument before this Court, the Township conceded that it failed
to engage in the requisite permitting process deemed necessary in Lenhart I. By way of
explanation, the Township noted that the work had been completed for a long time by the time this
Court issued its opinion in Lenhart I and that it would have been problematic to engage in the
permitting process at that late date. Specifically, it raised the potential for a substantial expenditure
of money if DEP determined that a redo of Post Road was necessary. However, the potential for
an expenditure of funds excuses neither a private citizen nor a government unit from abiding by
the law. With the requisite evidence, the trial court potentially could grant remedial relief directing
that Post Road be reconstructed in an attempt to make the Lenharts whole.

                                                   5
               We turn to the third requirement, identity of the requested relief. The
gravamen of the Lenhart II complaint is the Township’s noncompliance with this
Court’s directives in Lenhart I and the allegations that such noncompliance
constitutes an ongoing violation. In the Lenhart I counterclaim, the Lenharts
demanded judgment in their favor and against the Township for an unliquidated sum,
in excess of the limitations for mandatory arbitration, together with pre- and post-
judgment interest, reasonable attorney’s fees, and the costs of litigation. In addition,
they requested (1) a temporary injunction barring the Township from future damages
to their real property; (2) a permanent injunction directing the Township to perform
such remedial measures as may be reasonably required to remediate, in whole or in
part, the damages to their property; and (3) such other relief as the trial court may
deem just. (July 29, 2016 Fourth Amended Countercl. at 9-13; R.R. at 66a-70a.) In
the Lenhart II complaint, they requested that the trial court grant mandamus and
order the Township to apply for the requisite permits and submit the plans in
accordance with this Court’s directives in Lenhart I. (Sept. 8, 2020 Compl. in
Mandamus at 7-9; R.R. at 8a-10a). Accordingly, both the old and the new requested
relief is essentially the same.
               To the extent that the requested relief is not identical, the Lenharts in
the Lenhart I counterclaim could have requested an order mandating the Township
to apply for any required permits and to submit any required plans.8 In addition,

    8
       Section 601(c) of the Clean Streams Law authorizes citizen suits “to compel compliance
with this act or any rule, regulation, order or permit issued [thereunder] against [DEP] where there
is alleged a failure of [DEP] to perform any act which is not discretionary with [DEP] or against
any other person alleged to be in violation of any provision of this act or any rule, regulation, order
or permit issued pursuant to this act[.]” 35 P.S. § 691.601(c). Section 15(b) of SWMA provides
that suits “to restrain, prevent or abate violation of this act or of any watershed storm water plan,
regulations or ordinances adopted hereunder, may be instituted in equity or at law by [DEP], any
affected county or municipality, or any aggrieved person.” 32 P.S. § 680.15(b).

                                                  6
they could have raised alleged harm as a result of the Township’s failure to engage
in the permitting process and the absence of any requisite plans. The Lenharts had
this information and/or the possibility of harm within their knowledge at the time
they filed the Lenhart I counterclaim and there was no need or obligation to wait for
this Court’s opinion in Lenhart I. Such claims would have been part and parcel of
Lenhart I. As the Township alleged: “[T]he events which [the Lenharts] claim give
rise to their request that the Township be ordered to apply for a permit first became
apparent almost ten (10) years ago, when the Township first allegedly modified Post
Road in 2011.” (Twp.’s Dec. 23, 2020 Prelim. Objs. at 8, ¶ 39; R.R. at 31a.)
             Moreover, even though the Township did not plead mootness in its
preliminary objections, this matter may be moot. Generally, “an actual case or
controversy must exist at all stages of the judicial or administrative process.” Pa.
Liquor Control Bd. v. Dentici, 542 A.2d 229, 230 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1988). Mootness
“stands for the predicate that a subsequent change in circumstances has eliminated
the controversy so that the court lacks the ability to issue a meaningful order, that is,
an order that can have any practical effect.” Burke ex rel. Burke v. Indep. Blue Cross,
103 A.3d 1267, 1271 (Pa. 2014).
             In Lenhart I, the trial was bifurcated as to damages. Lenhart I, 197
A.3d at 1275. Consequently, having determined that the trial court erred when it
ruled in favor of the Township on the Lenhart I counterclaim, we “remand[ed] for
additional evidence, where necessary and pertinent findings of fact and conclusions
of law as to any damages that [the Lenharts] may have sustained.” Id. In other
words, we remanded for consideration of the Lenharts’ “common law claims and
request for equitable relief, which may include additional evidence and must include

                                           7
pertinent findings of fact and conclusions of law.”9 Id. As noted, the scheduled
hearing on this matter may or may not have already occurred. Nonetheless, given
the fact that the only claims remaining to be tried from Lenhart I are the Lenharts’
claims for monetary and injunctive relief, whatever the outcome, Lenhart II is
rendered moot.
               Accordingly, we affirm.10

                                             _____________________________________
                                             BONNIE BRIGANCE LEADBETTER,
                                             President Judge Emerita

Judge Wallace did not participate in the decision for this case.

    9
      We noted that one who constructs a drain depositing increased water flow onto a neighbor’s
land can be held liable for damage resulting therefrom under common law. Lenhart I, 197 A.3d
at 1275 (citation omitted).
    10
        In light of our resolution of the preliminary objection pertaining to the doctrine of lis
pendens and the principles of mootness and laches, we need not address the trial court’s resolution
of the remaining preliminary objections.

                                                8
       IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

David Lenhart and Dianne Lenhart,     :
                       Appellants     :
                                      :
              v.                      :   No. 409 C.D. 2021
                                      :
Cogan House Township                  :

                                ORDER

           AND NOW, this 29th day of June, 2022, the order of the Court of
Common Pleas of Lycoming County is hereby AFFIRMED.

                                    _____________________________________
                                    BONNIE BRIGANCE LEADBETTER,
                                    President Judge Emerita